Regional Port seeks bids for $400,000 Executive Flight fire alarm replacement

EAST WENATCHEE — A fire alarm system installed at the Executive Flight Building nearly three decades ago is slated for replacement after the system's manufacturer went out of business and replacement parts became unavailable.

The Chelan-Douglas Regional Port Authority board authorized staff Sept. 8 to solicit bids for the project, which carries an engineer's estimate of approximately $400,000 including sales tax.

The existing fire alarm system is original to the building and was installed in 1998. According to the Regional Port, the manufacturer is no longer in business, making it increasingly difficult to correct deficiencies as components need repair or replacement.

Plans prepared by Sazan Group call for replacing the existing system with a complete, code-compliant fire alarm system.

The project includes replacement of the fire alarm control panel, detection and notification devices, wiring and associated components. Work will also include testing, commissioning, monitoring integration and coordination with the authority having jurisdiction.

The engineer's estimate accounts for demolition and replacement requirements, contractor engineering and permitting, testing and commissioning and the additional complications of completing the project in an occupied building.

The Regional Port's supplemental 2026 budget increased funding allocated to the fire alarm replacement from $75,000 to $225,000. Budget documents identify the overall fire alarm replacement project at $414,208, while Sazan recommended carrying an approximately $400,000 engineer's estimate for bidding purposes.

Under the Port's proposed schedule, the project was advertised for bids Sept. 16, with bids due Sept. 30. The board is scheduled to consider awarding a contract Oct. 13.

Construction is expected to begin Oct. 23 and be completed by Feb. 23, 2027.

The Executive Flight Building is located at 1 Campbell Parkway East near Pangborn Memorial Airport.

The board unanimously authorized CEO Jim Kuntz to solicit bids for the replacement project.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media