The Port Commission of The Port of Houston Authority recently approved a professional services contract for $577,000 to Fort Worth-based S&B Infrastructure Ltd. for the installation of communications cable and hardware to connect security equipment at the Turning Basin and Woodhouse terminals to the Port Coordination Center. The project will be funded in part by a federal grant.

Commissioners also approved awarding a construction contract to Houston-based Satterfield & Pontikes Construction Inc. for the Bayport Terminal Administration Building for $8 million and for the Bayport Terminal Maintenance and Repair Building for $14 million. To achieve cost savings, the port authority offered contractors the opportunity to submit proposals for building both structures. The award takes advantage of discounted pricing as a result.

Commissioners approved authorizing an additional payment of up to $5.7 million to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for FY2009 cost-shared expenses for construction in and along the Houston Ship Channel.

Additionally, the commission approved a $98,230 change order to Houston-based Forde Construction Co. Inc. for concrete replacement project at Wharf Nos. 23, 26 and 29 and Lower Level Road at the Turning Basin Terminal. These wharves were extremely busy at the time the project was planned and carried out. As a result, the port authority offered an incentive amount of $90,000 to the contractor, if the work was completed in up to 30 days. The contractor successfully met this requirement, to the benefit of the port authority.