The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners (BOAC) has authorized Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Automated People Mover (APM) train at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The RFP for the APM is a component of the airport’s larger $5.5 billion Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP), which is designed to reduce traffic at the airport by adding a train into the Central Terminal Area (CTA) that connects to Los Angeles Metro’s light rail system, a consolidated rental car (ConRAC) facility, and additional parking structures with new areas for picking up and dropping off passengers. This is the first time a Public Private Partnership (P3) Design Build Finance Operate Maintain (DBFOM) model will be used to construct and operate an APM.
“We are excited to move forward with this essential component of the LAMP project,” said BOAC President, Sean Burton. “One reason Los Angeles World Airports chose a P3 – Public Private Partnership for this project is to expedite the delivery of this critical improvement that will create a better experience for passengers at LAX.”
The LAMP project consists of five major components: the APM, the ConRAC, two Intermodal Transportation Facilities (ITF East and West), and roadway improvements throughout the LAX area.
“The APM is a critical project for the future modernization of LAX and is the solution to providing reliable, time-certain access to airline terminals for passengers, employees and other users.” said LAWA Chief Executive Officer Deborah Flint. “Today’s authorization of the RFP is an important step towards delivering on that promise. The RFP scoring process is designed to give us a qualified team that will deliver a high quality, reliable and beautifully designed system.”
The RFP is the last step in a three-part solicitation process. LAWA previously conducted two separate Request for Qualifications (RFQ) processes to identify firms capable of supplying both the APM operating systems and the fixed facilities. After the two lists were established, the eligible developers and operators were free to team up to jointly deliver the APM as an integrated team. Of the initial shortlisted developers and operators, three integrated teams remain.
LAWA says scoring for this project is based on technical qualifications, visual appeal, and user experience while the evaluation criteria were developed to ensure a fair and transparent procurement that maximizes private sector creativity and innovation.
Public agencies across the country are utilizing the P3 project delivery DBFOM model to build large infrastructure projects because it allows projects to benefit from the experience, efficiency, and resources of private sector partners. A private partner can accelerate project delivery with innovative ideas and by providing initial investment in exchange for annual payments for the contract duration.
The RFP is scheduled to be released to the integrated teams at the end of July. Technical bids for the APM will be due in November 2017 and proposers whose technical bids meet minimum criteria will submit financial proposals in December 2017. A contract is expected to be awarded by early 2018. The APM is anticipated to be operational in 2023.
