The Flight Information Display System (FIDS) is the system that obtains real-time flight information and displays it on the display monitors at the airline counters, the passenger boarding gate hold rooms, and in other common public areas of the Terminal Building such as the baggage claim area, and the restaurant/lounge/deli.  The current system installed in 2005, is outdated, experiences reoccurring equipment failure, and often times has inaccurate flight information due to interruptions in the single real-time flight data feed, which has resulted in a number of complaints from the public and the airlines.
 
The Airport is seeking the services of a firm to provide a new, automated FIDS for the Terminal Building to replace the failing system. Staff issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new Multi-User Flight Information Display System (MUFIDS) in September.  The RFP was advertised in the Billings Times on September 11, 18, and 25, 2014, and posted on the Airport's Website during this time.  The deadline for RFP responses was Friday, October 3, 2014.  In addition to automation, the new MUFIDS will provide all new and updated technology, software and hardware, and add two additional display monitors in the Terminal Building.  The system will also take advantage of new technology that includes multiple real-time data feeds to provide improved accuracy and data redundancy for the real-time flight information, remote hosted data storage and processing, high definition display monitors, enhanced and responsive Website access to the real-time flight information, and relieve Airport staff from regular maintenance responsibilities for the system.
 
An Evaluation Committee reviewed the RFP responses, interviewed the top proposers, and has forwarded a recommendation to the City Council for the approval of a MUFIDS Agreement for an initial five-year term, with an option to extend for five additional one-year terms.  This Committee consisted of a City Council member, an Aviation and Transit Board member, and Airport staff members.

City Council may:

• Approve the MUFIDS Agreement with ProDIGIQ, Inc.; or
• Disapprove the MUFIDS Agreement with ProDIGIQ, Inc.

ProDIGIQ, Inc. was selected through the RFP process.  Other firms considered were Infax, Incorporated and Dice of the USA, Inc.  The five-year contract base amount is $175,590, which includes annual service agreements of $15,360.00/year.   Funding for the new MUFIDS will come from the Airport's local capital funds and is included in the FY2015 budget. The annual service agreement amounts will be paid in subsequent years with operating funds.

Staff recommends that City Council approve the MUFIDS Agreement with ProDIGIQ, Inc., to provide a new Terminal Building MUFIDS, including annual maintenance, for the City of Billings Logan International Airport.