CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: March 11, 2026 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO CONTRACT SERVICES
AGREEMENT NO. 24B101 WITH TIMBERLINE GSE, INC. TO
PURCHASE FOUR SWITCHBACK PASSENGER BOARDING RAMPS
FOR THE PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: Department of Aviation
SUMMARY:
This action will approve Amendment No. 2 to Contract Services Agreement No. 24B101 (Agreement) with Timberline GSE, Inc., in the amount of $278,000 for a revised contract amount not to exceed $556,000 to purchase four additional switchback passenger boarding ramps and two years of warranty and maintenance services for the Palm Springs International Airport (Airport).
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve Amendment No. 2 to Contract Services Agreement No. 24B101 with Timberline GSE, Inc. to purchase four switchback passenger boarding ramps, including two years of warranty and maintenance services, for the Palm Springs International Airport for an additional amount of $278,000 for a revised contract amount not to exceed $556,000, and extend the contract term for two years, June 17, 2024, through June 16, 2028.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all necessary documents.
BUSINESS PRINCIPAL DISCLOSURE:
According to the Public Integrity Disclosure form (Attachment B) submitted on March 2, 2026, Timberline GSE, Inc. is registered in the state of Utah.
BACKGROUND:
On June 13, 2024, City Council approved Contract Services Agreement No. 24B101 (Attachment C) with Timberline GSE, Inc. (Timberline), for the purchase of four
City Council Staff Report
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Amendment No. 2 with Timberline GSE
switchback passenger boarding ramps (Ramps) for the Airport that included two years of warranty and maintenance services, for a two-year term with two one-year extension options, commencing on June 17, 2024, to June 16, 2026, for a total contract amount not to exceed $284,105.
On September 5, 2024, Amendment No. 1 (Attachment D) was executed to correct a mathematical error on the original bid form and revise the total contract amount, for a revised not to exceed amount of $278,000.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The Ramps are used to support ground boarding and deplaning operations at ten gates within the Agua Caliente Concourse that are not equipped with passenger boarding bridges. These Ramps are a critical component in maintaining accessibility, operational efficiency, and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Since their initial implementation, the existing Ramps have provided a safe, accessible, and reliable boarding solution for passengers, including those with reduced mobility, and have supported airline operations during periods of increased passenger demand. The Airport currently owns six Ramps; however, operational data and daily gate utilization have demonstrated that this quantity is insufficient to meet current needs. During peak operational periods, multiple aircraft routinely require simultaneous ground boarding, resulting in situations where all available Ramps are fully deployed and additional gates requiring Ramp access remain uncovered.
Airport staff evaluated several alternatives to address this operational gap, including continued use of the existing Ramp inventory, leasing additional Ramps, or purchasing additional Ramps:
Existing Ramps: Maintaining the current inventory of six Ramps was determined to be operationally inadequate, as it does not provide coverage for all ten gates requiring Ramp access and lacks sufficient redundancy during peak operational periods or when equipment is out of service. This option increases the risk of flight delays, operational inefficiencies, and potential ADA-related service impacts. Leasing Additional Ramps: Leasing was considered as a short-term alternative; however, this option presents several drawbacks including higher long-term costs, limited availability, potential inconsistencies in equipment specifications, and reduced operational control. Leasing does not provide a permanent solution to the Airport’s ongoing need for Ramp access at multiple gates, nor does it ensure immediate availability during peak periods or emergency situations. Purchasing Additional Ramps: Purchasing four additional Ramps provides a long-term, cost-effective solution that ensures consistent equipment specifications, immediate availability, and full operational control. This option allows the Airport to achieve full gate coverage, maintain necessary redundancy, and support reliable ADA-compliant operations without recurring lease costs or reliance on external City Council Staff Report
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Amendment No. 2 with Timberline GSE
availability. The associated capital investment would be amortized over a ten-year period, making the purchase a durable, long-term investment aligned with the Airport’s ongoing operational needs. Airport staff has determined that purchasing four additional Ramps represents the most operationally sound and fiscally responsible option. Procuring the Ramps from Timberline ensures consistency with equipment specifications previously approved by City Council, minimizes maintenance and supports seamless integration into existing Airport operations.
Airport staff recommends approval of Amendment No. 2 for the purchase of four additional Ramps to ensure adequate gate coverage, maintain operational continuity, and provide sufficient redundancy to support safe, accessible, and efficient ground boarding operations at the Airport.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
The requested City Council action is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. The requested action is to approve contracts for the above-mentioned services, and is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15378(b), in that a “Project” does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING:
Approval of this action supports the City Council Strategic Plan Broad Goals of Infrastructure and Facilities and Economic Development, and it also supports the Airport’s 2025-2029 Strategic Plan’s Strategic Priorities for Infrastructure.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Sufficient funds are available in Fiscal Year 2025-26 in the Department of Aviation, Airside Operations Account 4157030-40105.
REVIEWED BY:
Procurement and Contracting Manager: Tabitha Richards
Executive Director of Aviation: Harry Barrett Jr.
City Attorney: Geremy Holm
City Manager: Scott Stiles
City Council Staff Report
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Amendment No. 2 with Timberline GSE
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Contract Services Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 24B101 B. Public Integrity Disclosure
C. Contract Services Agreement No. 24B101
D. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 24B101