HOUSTON, Sept. 17, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Port of Houston Authority (PHA) commission will consider several recommendations involving contract awards, bids and proposals, professional services and general administrative and operational matters during its public meeting at 2 p.m. on Monday, September 20, 2004 in the 4th floor board room at 111 East Loop North (exit 29 off Loop 610). Chairman Jim Edmonds will preside over the meeting to be attended by Vice Chairman Kase Lawal, Commissioner Steve Phelps, Commissioner Jim Fonteno, Commissioner Jimmy Burke, Commissioner Cheryl Thompson-Draper, and Commissioner Janiece Longoria.
BAYPORT MATTERS
(Agenda item G1) The commission's agenda includes a recommendation to award a contract in the estimated amount of $943,001 to HTS, Inc. for soils testing at the Bayport Container Terminal Phase 1A. If approved, HTS would be expected to establish an on-site laboratory and perform all testing of soil materials and asphalt for Phase 1A construction projects.
(Agenda item G9) The commission will also consider a recommendation to authorize PHA to execute a change order in the estimated amount of $3.6 million to Zachry Construction Corporation for the Bayport Phase 1A wharf and dredging contract. If approved, Zachry's dredging sub-contractor would be expected to perform advanced cruise terminal dredging and permanent drainage construction for the initial cruise ship berth at Bayport in a manner that would comply with emissions restrictions.
(Agenda item G10) The commission will consider a recommendation to amend the contract with CH2MHILL, Inc. in an estimated amount not to exceed $50,000 for Bayport Phase 1A program management. If approved, CH2MHILL would be expected to provide additional construction management of the Bayport cruise terminal area site preparation and dredging.
SECURITY MATTERS
(Agenda item G8) The commission will consider a recommendation to evaluate and rank qualifications and authorize negotiations for a $3 million design/build contract for the second phase of PHA security infrastructure enhancements. The request for qualifications for the project was advertised in the Houston Chronicle and on the port's website. Additionally, 165 companies were notified directly through PHA's Vendor Information System. PHA's Engineering Department received, reviewed, and evaluated nine RFQ responses and identified three companies - Adesta, LLC, BAE Systems Integrated Defense Solutions, Inc., and Black & Veatch Special Projects Corp. - as the most qualified for consideration to provide the required services.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
(Agenda item G11) The commission will consider a recommendation to amend a contract with Saitas and Arenson (formerly Saitas and Seales) for environmental projects related to the Bayport terminal development, air quality assistance, and other issues. In 2003, the firm was awarded a $125,000 contract to provide services through May 31, 2004. To date, however, only $55,000 of the contract value has been utilized. If approved by the commission, the Saitas and Arenson contract would be extended for an additional one-year term.
(Agenda item K6) The commission will also consider a recommendation to advertise and receive qualifications from vendors interested in being considered as providers of professional environmental consulting services pertaining to port operations and the maritime industry. If approved, prospective vendors would be expected to submit qualifications to provide assistance with regulatory reviews, site remediation for soil and groundwater, and field study inspections.
HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL NAVIGATIONAL MATTERS
(Agenda item M1) The commission will consider a recommendation to authorize an estimated $230,000 in fiscal year 2005 funding for the Physical Oceanographic Real Time System (PORTS). If approved, the National Oceanographic Service would be expected to provide maintenance and oversight of the computerized navigational data system that collects and disseminates oceanographic and meteorological data to masters, pilots and other navigators of the Houston Ship Channel.
The Port of Houston Authority owns and operates the public facilities located along the Port of Houston, the 25-mile long complex of diversified public and private facilities designed for handling general cargo, containers, grain and other dry bulk materials, project and heavy lift cargo, and other types of cargo. Each year, more than 6,600 vessels call at the port, which ranks first in the U.S. in foreign waterborne tonnage, second in overall total tonnage, and sixth largest in the world. The Port Authority plays a vital role in ensuring navigational safety along the Houston Ship Channel, which has been instrumental in Houston's development as a center of international trade. The Barbours Cut Container Terminal and Central Maintenance Facility are the first of any U.S. port facilities to develop and implement an innovative Environmental Management System that meets the rigorous standards of ISO 14001. Additionally, the port is an approved delivery point for Coffee "C" futures contracts traded on the New York Board of Trade's Coffee, Sugar & Cocoa Exchange. For more information, please visit www.portofhouston.com
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