RECOMMENDATION:
Enact an ordinance approving and authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the City of Houston for transportation security equipment and services at George Bush Intercontinental Airport/Houston (IAH).
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:
The purpose of this MOU between the TSA and the City of Houston is to document the Parties’ respective understanding of the City’s anticipated acquisition of equipment and services and proposed non-monetary transfer of this equipment and services to the TSA. Once finalized and executed, the City can consider this MOU as TSA’s approval to proceed with the purchase of the Transportation Security Equipment (TSE), necessary ancillary equipment, and all services necessary and required to incorporate three (3) Rohde and Schwarz (R&S) Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) units into the George Bush Intercontinental Airport/Houston (IAH) Federal Inspection Services (FIS)/E Consolidation Project. The Houston Airport System (HAS) will acquire the AIT units under an existing appropriation for the FIS Construction Manager At-Risk (CMAR) Agreement with Hensel Phelps. The TSA has determined that these TSEs will improve the operational and security efficiency of the screening operation at the TSA’s checkpoint at IAH. This transfer and acceptance of equipment is intended to be mutually beneficial to the Parties.
The City initiated the Checkpoint D, Checkpoint E, and FIS consolidation project in 2021. The existing Checkpoint E was closed to support the expansion to house checkpoints D, E, and FIS. The traffic from the closure of Checkpoint E was sent to Checkpoint C, which was expanded to include six (6) Scarabee Midsize Checkpoint Property Screening Systems (CPSS) as part of a demonstration/pilot with the TSA’s Requirements and Capabilities Analysis. The first phase of the new consolidated checkpoint will open with eight (8) lanes in 2024 and will require the City to transfer three (3) R&S AITs in order to have a turnkey opening. The City has one AIT in storage along with other TSE from the closure of Checkpoint E that will be reused in the new checkpoint. The second phase of the project will add additional lanes in the 2025 time-frame.
The pertinent terms of this Memorandum of Understanding are as follows:
Project Scope:
The City intends to procure, install, and purchase maintenance services for a set period of four (4) years for the R&S AIT units, with the intent to transfer, convey, and assign said equipment, and direct the services to be provided, free and clear of all encumbrances, at no cost to the TSA. In return, the TSA will operate the TSE at the new consolidated Checkpoint. The transfer of the TSE to the TSA will occur following installation and the successful completion of the applicable form of Acceptance Testing of the TSE, and prior to the go-live date. The transfer of ownership will be documented with the execution of the Transfer and Acceptance Letters in a form acceptable to both Parties.
The TSA will supply the following equipment: