The Bartow Municipal Airport is a city-owned, public-use General Aviation/Community Airport. The Airport property was deeded to the City of Bartow in the 1940s, with certain stipulations that the airfield must be maintained or it must be returned to the United States Government. The Bartow Municipal Airport Development Authority solicits federal and state funding in order to be able to maintain the airfield.

The Bartow Municipal Airport Development Authority just completed the design of a Taxiway “D” Rehabilitation project, with 95% funding from the federal government and 5% funding from the Bartow Municipal Airport Development Authority. The Airport had hoped to possibly receive federal and state funds to complete the construction phase of the Taxiway “D” Rehabilitation project.

The Airport’s Aviation Consultant is Mr. Steve Henriquez of URS Corporation, of Tampa, Florida and Mr. Gavin Fahnestock is the Federal Aviation Administration Program Manager of the Orlando Airports District Office. In March 2009, the Airport was contacted by the FAA and was told that the Taxiway “D” Rehab project competed well for 100% stimulus funding proposed by President Obama through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA of 2009).

The Airport instructed URS Corporation to prepare the plans and specifications necessary to bid the Taxiway “D” Rehab project. The description of the project included the complete rehabilitation of Taxiway “D” with a 3” nominal asphalt overlay. Taxiway “D” and associated taxiway connectors are approximately 3000’ in length and 50’ wide, with severe cracking and spalling. The cracks will be sealed and covered with a self-adhesive engineering fabric prior to P-401 asphalt overlay. A Notice to Bidders, dated March 7, 2009, was distributed to several known paving companies and advertised in the local newspaper. Sealed bids were due on or before 2:00 p.m. on March 25, 2009. Prior to the bids being received, a Pre-Bid Conference was held on March 17, 2009 to review the project schedule, DBE requirements (9.5% goal), Davis Bacon Wage Rate requirements and the Buy American requirements of the proposed stimulus Grant.

On March 25, 2009, at 2:00 p.m., bids were received from three highly qualified bidders, with no discrepancies in the bids and all bidders indicated they would achieve the DBE goal of 9.5%. The three bidders were: (1) APAC Southeast, Inc. - $451,365.00; (2) Lane Construction Company - $456,745.00; and (3) Ajax Paving Industries of Florida - $472,312.50. The Engineer’s Estimate was $536,225.00, and as noted, the bids came in well below the estimate. The Airport also received a Notice of Grant Award for an amount up to $750,000.00 from the Office of The Honorable Mel Martinez, United States Senator.

An Application for Federal Assistance dated March 26, 2009 was completed and mailed to the FAA requesting a total ARRA Grant of $539,545.00. The

calculation of costs are as follows: Administration Expense-$10,000.00; Engineering Basic Fees for the Construction Phase (URS Corporation)-$26,540.00; Resident Project Inspection Fees-$31,840.00; Quality Assurance Testing-$19,800.00; and Construction Costs (low bid from APAC Southeast, Inc.)-$451,365.00; Total request = $539,545.00.

In anticipation of receiving a Grant Offer, a Pre-Construction Conference was held on April 13, 2009 with the low bidder, APAC Southeast, Inc., including all of their sub-contractors expecting to do work on the project. There were 25 attendees at the Pre-Construction meeting. On the same day, April 13, 2009, the Airport received an ARRA Grant Offer, No. 3-12-0005-024-2009, in the amount of $539,545.00 to Rehabilitate Taxiway “D” with 100% funding. This project will improve the quality of pavement of the primary taxiway at the Airport, and provides a safer environment for aircraft by placement of the asphalt overlay on a poor pavement surface which is oxidized and raveling, creating a FOD situation.

At the Bartow Municipal Airport Development Authority regularly scheduled Board meeting scheduled on Monday, April 13, 2009, the ARRA Grant Offer #3-12-0005-024-2009, in the amount of $539,545.00 was received, accepted, fully executed, and returned to the FAA all in one day.

On April 14, 2009, a Notice-to-Proceed was issued to APAC Southeast, Inc., effective April 20, 2009. APAC Southeast, Inc. anticipated the project start date would be Monday, April 27, 2009, after the Sun ‘N Fun Fly-in event was over. All work will be completed in conformance with the Contract Documents and will be completed within 79 calendar days, including mobilization, or within 49 calendar days of beginning work on the taxiway. There will be weekly project meetings held every Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at Building #400, in the Terminal Conference Room, until the project is completed.

If anyone has any questions regarding the project, they can call Bartow Municipal Airport office at 863.533.1195 and ask for either Cindy Barrow or Terry White or they may also e-mail Cindy at: Cindy@Bartow-Airport.com or Terry at: Terry@Bartow-Airport.com. Pictures are attached dated April 14, 2009 showing the current condition of some of the pavement areas. Future pictures will be posted showing the improvements and completed project.

This project will be accomplished meeting the goals outlined in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 by creating work and jobs in our area, as well as, rehabilitating and improving safety on a primary taxiway at the Bartow Municipal Airport.