Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Airfield Lighting System Equipment Upgrade with the sole source/proprietary vendor Airside Solutions, Inc. for the amount of $158,408.74.

Included in the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget is the funding to upgrade fourteen existing Constant Current Regulators (CCRs) including all associated hardware and software that operates the Airport's Airfield Lighting Control and Monitoring System.  The CCRs were originally installed in 2005 and the parts within the regulators are 18 years old, no longer available, and have exceeded their useable life.  The regulators are located at the Airfield Lighting Vault and provide power to approximately 1,250 runway, ramp, and taxiway lights, 120 guidance signs, including many other airfield lighting systems and aircraft navigational aids.  When the system was originally installed in 2005, the Billings Logan International Airport competitively advertised and received bids on a new Airport lighting control system. The successful bidder was Airside Solutions, Inc., which installed a Siemens Airfield Lighting Control System. The Airport needs to upgrade the equipment and software in order to keep up with changing technology, and maintain a safe and reliable system.  Airport staff received a quote of $158,408.74 to complete this work.  This is sole source/proprietary work, and the Airport must coordinate this work through Airside Solutions who is the sole manufacturer's representative/contractor.  Airside will then work with the manufacturer of the Siemens System (ADB SafeGate) as required. This project will replace obsolete equipment, design technical specifications, perform factory operational and system acceptance testing, and send a technician to install, commission, and train personnel on the use of the equipment.   This is an extremely important Airport equipment upgrade since it controls all airfield lighting that every aircraft relies on, along with other navigational aids when operating during inclement weather and at night.  If the airfield lighting system becomes inoperable, the Airport would need to close due to FAA rules/regulations and to protect the safety of the traveling public.  A copy of the project quote, services and agreement with Airside Solutions, Inc. is attached.

City Council may:

• Approve the sole source/proprietary Airfield Lighting System Equipment Upgrade with Airside Solutions; or
• Not approve the project and provide direction to staff on how to proceed.

The total cost of this project is $158,408.74.  Funding for this equipment upgrade is available in the Airport's FY 24 approved budget.