PRESENTER: Presenter
Robert Lee, PhD, AAE
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval of a contract with Phoenix Navtech to provide on-call maintenance services and repairs for the New Braunfels National Airport Air Traffic Control Tower.
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DEPARTMENT: Economic and Community Development
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 2
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
New Braunfels National Airport (KBAZ) is a Class D controlled airfield. The Air Traffic Control Tower has been owned and operated by the City of New Braunfels since 2008. Originally designed/constructed as a training tower by Silver State Helicopters in 2007, the equipment has gradually been replaced as needed. In 2021 a new mission critical communication switching platform, Voice Communication Control System (VCCS), was installed to improve integration between air-to -ground radio, ground-to-ground telephone lines, and internal controller intercoms into a single touch-screen console.
The City issued a Request for Proposals on June 10, 2026, and received one response on July 8th from Phoenix Navtech. The respondent was evaluated and found to be a responsive and responsible vendor, therefore staff are recommending Phoenix Navtech for award. The contract is for three-one-year terms and includes annual preventative maintenance and on-call hourly rates for repairs. The preventative annual maintenance is $31,000 per year and includes enhanced preventative maintenance with 2 visits/year and priority remote and emergency on-site support.
ISSUE:
Given the ongoing challenges experienced with existing tower communications equipment and in consultation with tower contract staff, city staff believes it is appropriate to replace the existing ground radio, replace cabling and antennas, purchase and install a new FAA compliant light gun, install a new standby radio system, install a new cab-mounted airfield light control panel, and reprogram the existing VCCS. This equipment is essential to maintain safe and efficient air operations in the above and surrounding airspace of KBAZ.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
N/A Economic Mobility N/A Enhanced Connectivity N/A Community Identity
YES Organizational Excellence N/A Community Well-Being
FISCAL IMPACT:
Initial financial impact of $31,000 for 1st year annual preventative maintenance and on-call work for existing repairs for a not to exceed $70,000. Annual maintenance cost for years 2 and 3 is $31,000 per year. The preventative maintenance cost for years 2 and 3 will be included in the appropriate annual airport operating budget.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommend approval of the equipment and services contract with Phoenix Navtech.