To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Michelle Halstead, Director, Commissioners’ Office
Prepared By:
prepared
Jeremy Gunn, Director of Operations, Centennial Airport
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Subject:
title
Ratification of Surface Awareness Initiative Vehicle Movement Area Transponders Grant for the Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
The Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority Board (ACPAA) received a Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI) Vehicle Movement Area Transponders (VMATs) Grant distributed through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). AIP Grant 3-08-0029-066-2026 will provide additional safety measures for aircraft and airport staff driving on the airfield through the purchase and installation of vehicle transponders which report vehicle location to the Air Traffic Control Tower.
At their study session on August 11, 2026, the Board authorized the Chair to sign the grant and for ratification of that signature to be added to the September 8, 2026, meeting on consent.
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Alignment with Strategic Plan: Sustainable Growth and Infrastructure - Prioritize capital
improvement projects (CIP) including deferred maintenance.
Background and Discussion: The Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority Board (ACPAA) requested approval of a Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI) Vehicle Movement Area Transponders (VMATs) Grant distributed through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at a study session on August 11, 2026. The Board approved acceptance of the grant and authorized the Chair to sign the grant. Because the grant deadline was during a time with no Board meetings, the Board authorized the Chair to sign and ratify the signature at the September 8, 2026, business meeting.
In 2025 the Federal Aviation Authority completed a Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI) upgrade at Centennial Airport which enables the air traffic controllers to view aircraft location and movements on the airfield through a special SAI display screen. The completion of this initiative resulted in AIP eligibility for installation of Vehicle Movement Area Transponders (VMATs) on airport-owned vehicles at Centennial Airport, allowing air traffic controllers to view the vehicles on the new SAI display. Adding this new technology will increase safety for airport-staff operating vehicles at Centennial Airport, which is especially important during limited visibility operations such as snow removal.
AIP Grant 3-08-0029-066-2026 includes the purchase and installation of transponders for 34 airport vehicles.
At the August 13, 2026, ACPAA Board Meeting, Airport staff recommended conditional approval of AIP Grant 3-08-0029-066-2026.
The 2026 Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant assurances do not include the controversial grant conditions associated with the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (Public Law number (P.L.) 118-63).
Alternatives: The Board could elect not to ratify the grant agreement. However, should the grant agreement not be signed within a reasonable timeframe, the Airport will have to find alternative methods of funding for the remainder of the project improvements stated above.
Fiscal Impact: The total cost of this project is $121,410. FAA AIP grant funds for 3-08-0029-066-2026 will cover 95% ($115,339) of the cost of the federal project; the Airport Authority will be responsible for the remaining 5% ($6,071) match which the 2026 budget has sufficient funds to cover.
Alignment with Strategic Implementation Strategies: N/A
Concurrence: Federal Aviation Administration.