Enact an Ordinance approving Amendment No. 1 to the Maintenance and Technical Support Agreement with Honeywell International, Inc. to upgrade the existing Ground Based Augmentation System (GBAS) Navigation Equipment installed at George Bush Intercontinental Airport/Houston (IAH) with Block II software and appropriate the necessary funds to finance the cost of the Project. Project Number 691 (WBS# A-000615-0001-7-01-01).
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:
In June 2010, Houston Airport System (HAS) representatives agreed with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Continental Airlines, now United Airlines, to the installation of the Ground Based Augmentation System (GBAS) at IAH. The GBAS is a component of the FAA’s NextGen air navigation transformation. In March 2013, City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), between HAS and United Airlines, establishing an Agreement to implement the GBAS technology at IAH. At that time, City Council also approved a Maintenance and Technical Support Agreement with Honeywell International, Inc. for the installation of the GBAS navigation equipment.
The GBAS, model SLS-4000, works with Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites to provide specially equipped aircraft with greater accuracy for landing approaches at IAH. Currently, select aircraft owned by United Airlines, Lufthansa Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific Airlines, and Cargolux Airlines utilize GBAS technology. IAH is only one of two commercial airports in the continental United States with a working GBAS.
It is now requested that City Council approve an amendment to the March 2013 Maintenance Agreement for the completion of upgrades to the SLS-4000. Upgrades will include the installation of a US Space Based Augmentation System (SBAS) receiver into the existing GBAS.
The successful modification to the SLS-4000 with Block II software and SBAS receiver integration will enable advanced approach and landing operations in the SBAS coverage region, reduce decision height operations, extend service volume, enhance differential correction positioning services (DCPS), and improve existing avionics.
ENGINEERING SERVICES TESTING CONTRACT:
Not Applicable
PROJECT COSTS:
$300,000.00
FISCAL NOTE:
This item is considered a capital project and due to its nature (software upgrade), it is anticipated that there will be no additional impact to operating expenses in the next five years.
Director's Signature:
Mario C. Diaz
Houston Airport System