July 14, 1995
South Coast Air Quality
Management District Board
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) is required, pursuant to Health and Safety Code Sections 40448.6 and 40448.7 (AB 2444), to guarantee and/or help provide financial assistance for small businesses through the Air Quality Assistance Fund (AQAF). Because of the complex and highly specialized nature of commercial loans, the services of outside financial consultants have played a critical role in the formation and implementation of this program. The first such contract was awarded in March of 1991. The current contract with Bartik, Cordeiro & Associates expires June 30, 1995.
To ensure competitiveness and efficiency in this contract, the AQMD released a Request for Proposals (RFP 9495-34) to seek a contractor to assist in the evaluation of the credit worthiness of the Air Quality Assistance Fund's loan guaranty applicants and other related tasks. The RFP was sent to all contractors who are known to the AQMD to be actively engaged in investment banking and to those who responded to AQMD announcements in the Los Angeles Times, the San Bernardino Sun, the Riverside Press Enterprise, the Orange County Register, La Opinion, and the L.A. Sentinel.
One bid was received by the closing date of May 17, 1995. The contractor, Bartik, Cordeiro & Associates, Inc. of Claremont, California, a Minority/Women's Business Enterprise, met the minimum requirements for this contract. Bartik, Cordeiro & Associates has performed satisfactorily for the AQMD on their current contract. Funding for this contract is through the escrow account established for the AQAF and will not impact the AQMD's budget.
THEREFORE, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOUR BOARD
--Award the bid to Bartik, Cordeiro & Associates, Inc., for Small Business Assistance Fund Consulting Services.
--Authorize the Chairman to execute an agreement with Bartik, Cordeiro & Associates, Inc., for an amount not to exceed $80,000 from the Air Quality Assistance Fund.
Respectfully,
James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer
PL:WJF:RRP:JAC
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