Agenda Item AGENDA STAFF REPORT ASR Control 25-000440
MEETING DATE:	06/24/25
legal entity taking action:	Board of Supervisors
board of supervisors district(s):	5
SUBMITTING Agency/Department:	John Wayne Airport (Approved)
Department contact person(s):	Charlene Reynolds (949) 252-5183
	Evanna Barbic (949) 252-5232

Subject: Approve Biometric Verification Services License with AlClear, LLC

ceo CONCUR

County Counsel Review

Clerk of the Board

Concur

Approved Agreement to Form

Discussion

4/5 Vote

Budgeted: N/A

Current Year Cost: N/A

Annual Cost: N/A

Staffing Impact:

# of Positions:

Sole Source: N/A

Current Fiscal Year Revenue: See Financial Impact Section

Funding Source: N/A	County Audit in last 3 years: No
Levine Act Review Completed: Yes

Prior Board Action: N/A

RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):

Find that the project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Class 1 (Existing Facilities), pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301.

Approve and execute a Biometric Verification Services License with AlClear, LLC to provide expedited passenger security screening services effective upon Board of Supervisors approval for one year, and authorize the Airport Director to renew the term of this License for two additional two-year terms.

Authorize the Airport Director or designee to make minor modifications and amendments to the license that do not materially alter the terms or financial obligations to the County and perform all activities under the terms of the license.

SUMMARY:

Approval of a Biometric Verification Services License with AlClear, LLC for a one-year pilot program, with the option to renew for two additional two-year terms, will provide a complimentary service to Transportation Security Administration Precheck for expedited security screening for John Wayne Airport passengers.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

John Wayne Airport (JWA) seeks Board of Supervisors (Board) approval of a Biometric Verification Services License (License) with AlClear, LLC (Clear). Passenger security screening is a two-step process that includes verifying the passenger’s identity via a manual document check followed by a physical passenger screening by a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer. Clear is a Registered Traveler Program allowing members to verify their identities using biometrics such as eyes or fingers, bypassing the manual document check. After verifying the traveler’s identity, Clear members are greeted by a Clear representative and escorted directly to a modified physical screening process where removing shoes, laptops, liquids, belts, and light jackets is not required. Kiosks will be conveniently located near the Terminal B security checkpoint, and a Clear representative will be nearby to assist passengers with enrollment services.

Clear is now available at 59 airports across the United States and has added more than a dozen airports to its roster in the last two years. Locally, Clear can be found in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Ontario, Palm Springs, and San Diego airports. Clear’s market share in Orange County is about 80,000 members. Clear estimates that it will double its membership to 160,000 during the 12-month pilot program.

Currently, JWA offers TSA PreCheck, which provides passengers with modified physical screening. The addition of Clear will give JWA passengers more options for personalized service, efficient passenger identity verification, and modified screening. JWA passengers make regular inquiries about providing Clear at the Airport. Additionally, this pilot program will generate revenues, provide a personalized travel experience and allow the County of Orange to test out a new product or service before making a long-term commitment. Clear remains the only expedited travel service provider with approval from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for ticket document checking technology. Clear is an optional fee-based service. The annual optional Clear membership fee is $199.00.

License Agreement Terms:

The Biometric Verification Services License will provide a one-year term for the use of 662 square feet of support space for four enrollment and four verification kiosks. The effective date of the license is the date of approval and execution by the Board.

Clear will pay fees based on the current terminal rates and charges for the use of the terminal space of $52,146 per year. In addition, Clear will pay JWA $0.75 per unique member verification (UMV) made at JWA. Clear projects it will process 560,000 unique member verifications in a 12-month period or $420,000. The projection is based on 10 percent of enplanements.

Compliance with CEQA: The proposed project is Categorically Exempt (Class 1) from the provisions of CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 because it provides for the leasing and licensing of public facilities involving negligible or no expansion of the existing use.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

The estimated annual UMV revenue to JWA for the one-year pilot program is estimated to be approximately $472,146. Revenue for this License is not included in the FY 2025-26 Budget for Airport Operating Fund 280 but will be absorbed. The revenue will be included in the budgeting process for future years.

The County may terminate this License and all of its obligations hereunder with or without prior notice to Licensee. As a courtesy, the Airport Director will attempt to give 30 days’ written notice to Licenses.

STAFFING IMPACT:

N/A

ATTACHMENT(S):

Attachment A – Biometric Verification Services License