SR-800-009-02
RMD:AA:BT:JM:F:RESOURCE/STAFFREPORTS/Noise Equipment Upgrade.doc
Council Meeting: September 25, 2001 Santa Monica, California
To: Mayor and City Council
From: City Staff
Subject: Authorize the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute a Contract with BAE
Systems for the Update to the Santa Monica Airport?s Aircraft Noise
Monitoring System.
Introduction
This report requests that City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a contract with BAE Systems to install hardware and software to update the
Aircraft Noise Monitoring System at Santa Monica Airport, which will incorporate the
latest aircraft noise monitoring and flight analysis technologies and include the
installation of two additional permanent noise monitors at both ends of the Runway.
Background
The reliable operation of the noise monitoring system is critical to enforcing the Airport
Noise Ordinance and Noise Abatement Program. For the past 12 years, BAE Systems
(formerly Tracor Applied Sciences) has been the provider of noise monitoring
equipment and maintenance for the Airport?s Aircraft Noise Monitoring System.
An ad-hoc committee, appointed by the Airport Commission, reviewed the proposed
upgrade to employ current technology and recommended that it also include the
installation of two noise monitors on Airport property, one at each end of the Runway.
The Airport Commission at its October 23, 2000 meeting approved the proposed
upgrade, along with the additional noise monitors.
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During April 2001, a Request for Proposals (RFP), titled ?Noise Monitoring System
Enhancement Plan Technical Specifications?, was mailed to vendors with expertise in
aircraft operations and noise monitoring systems: BAE Systems, Lochard, and Sabre
Systems. Only BAE Systems submitted a sealed bid prior to the deadline. The other
vendors informed City Purchasing that they could not provide competitive proposals, as
they would be unable to incorporate existing equipment in the proposed system update.
Discussion
BAE Systems is a well-regarded firm in the aircraft noise monitoring industry and has
provided aircraft operations and noise monitoring systems to airports throughout the
world since 1972. The company provides the latest generation of noise monitoring
systems to many U.S. airports including Orange County?s John Wayne Airport, Burbank
Airport, and New Jersey?s Teterboro Airport, among others.
Budgetary/Financial Impact
Funds are available in accounts C33063098.589000 and C33063099.589000 to cover
the $300,000 cost of the proposed Aircraft Noise Monitoring System update and first-
year system maintenance costs.
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Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a contract with BAE Systems for the supply and installation of hardware and
software to update Santa Monica Airport?s Aircraft Noise Monitoring System.
Prepared by: Jeff Mathieu, Director of Resource Management
Robert Trimborn, Airport Manager
Jason Morgan, Airport Noise Officer
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