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Airport board approves AIP amendment, moves to formalize consultant contracting ahead of FAA deadline
Summary
The Plymouth Board of Aviation Commissioners approved an amendment that returns $29,155 from the Taxiway Alpha closeout to the airport’s NPE account, authorized independent fee reviews for three CIP design projects, and directed staff to prepare a master services agreement so FAA grant paperwork can be completed before the April 15 deadline.
The Plymouth Board of Aviation Commissioners voted to approve an amendment to AIP 27 and to authorize steps intended to meet fast-approaching Federal Aviation Administration grant deadlines.
Curtis, the airport consultant leading engineering work, told the board the Taxway Alpha project is essentially complete but that FAA closeout standards changed in a way that allows the airport to omit aerial imagery and related ground data collection. "We have an amendment I'm proposing tonight that actually returns $29,155 back to the airport board," Curtis said. He explained most of that underrun will be credited back into the airport’s non-primary entitlement (NPE) account and made available for future NPE projects.
Board members also discussed the grant calendar. Curtis stressed that April 15 is the target date for filing grant applications based on known costs, which means draft agreements and any independent fee reviews must be complete in February–March to permit March presentations and April ratification. "The flow is I want to do a draft agreement, then we're gonna do an independent fee review ... finalize our agreements, and then present those to the board either in March or most likely April," he said.
Because several anticipated 2026 task orders are expected to exceed $100,000, Curtis recommended an independent fee assessment for CIP items 29, 30 and 31. He said the independent review typically costs $5,000–$7,000 and is FAA reimbursable. The board authorized either the president or the airport manager to initiate the independent fee review solicitations and to contract for that work.
On the question of how to structure consultant services going forward, Curtis outlined two options: continue contract‑by‑contract work or adopt a master services agreement (MSA) covering multiple years with task orders for individual projects. He recommended preparing an MSA and asked for legal review before execution. Board discussion favored giving members time to review MSA language; members also raised the option of a single‑year MSA as an interim step to satisfy FAA questionnaire requirements.
The motions carried on roll-call votes. The board will expect to receive finalized draft agreements, independent‑fee review results and related paperwork in advance of the March/April schedule for FAA grants.
Votes at a glance: the AIP 27 amendment returning $29,155 passed; the board authorized independent fee reviews for CIP 29–31 and authorized staff to prepare or negotiate an MSA and associated task orders pending legal review and final board action.
