July 14, 1995
South Coast Air Quality
Management District Board
The AB 2766 Discretionary Fund Program receives thirty cents of every dollar of an annual $4 vehicle registration fee collected pursuant to Assembly Bill 2766. It is estimated that approximately $12.5 million annually, including projected interest to be earned, will be available in Fiscal Years 1995-96 and 1996-97. To reduce administrative burdens and achieve a greater impact in emissions reduction benefits, the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee has proposed a two-year, $25 million program consisting of the following:
Target Amounts
Alternative-Fuel Requests for Proposals:
--Public Transit Systems $4,000,000
--School Bus Systems $4,000,000
--Heavy-Duty Vehicles $1,500,000
Specialized Requests for Proposals: $5,500,000
--Rail Feeder/Rail Station Distribution Service
--Transportation Control Measures
--Research and Development
"Quick Charge" Zero-Emission Vehicle Program:
--Request for Proposals for Outreach Coordinator $175,000
--Informational Notice for Electric Vehicle
Corridor Communities Program Workplan $825,000
--Request for Qualifications for Buydown Incentive $6,000,000
Reserve for Future Projects $3,000,000
Total 25,000,000
The individual target funding allocations for the Alternative Fuels ($9.5 million total) and Specialized RFPs ($5.5 million total) may be reallocated by the MSRC based on the Committee's review of proposals received in each respective category. A description of each RFP is as follows:
o The Public Transit Fleets RFP (Attachment 1) provides a 20% local [FTA] match funding towards the purchase price of new full- or mid-size alternative-fuel buses. Up to 20% of total project costs may be used for site modifications for small fleets.
o The School Bus Fleets RFP (Attachment 2) provides differential cost or up to 50% of the purchase or lease price (whichever is less) for a new zero-emission bus; or the differential cost or up to 30% of the purchase or lease price (whichever is less) for other alternative-fuel school buses. Up to 10% of total funding request may be used for site modifications.
o The Heavy-Duty Vehicles RFP (Attachment 3) provides co-funding towards the differential purchase price of new heavy-duty, alternative-fuel vehicles or towards the dedicated conversion of 1988-1994 heavy-duty vehicles using a new engine and associated fuel system.
o The Rail Feeder/Rail Service Station RFP (Attachment 4) provides funding for the operation and lease of new rail feeder service to promote increased commuter rail ridership (e.g., Metrolink, Blue Line, Amtrak, etc.) by providing a means of transportation between rail stations and the commuters' origin and destination. Existing or expanded service will not be considered.
o The Transportation Control Measures RFP (Attachment 5) provides funding for the implementation of projects that demonstrate TCMs in the District's Air Quality Management Plan and to promote advanced technology that facilitates high occupancy vehicle use. Proposals which address market incentives, advanced technology support projects or new/innovative transportation demand management are eligible to compete.
o The Research and Development RFP (Attachment 6) provides funding for new innovative research programs in the following areas: 1) Advanced Technology and Fuels; 2) Evaluation of New/Innovative Control Methods; 3) Evaluation of Input Factors for Modeling Research; and 4) Demonstration of Innovative Control Methods.
o The "Quick Charge" Zero-Emission Vehicle Program consists of three parts (Attachments 7-9, respectively):
1) a Request for Proposals to obtain an Outreach Coordinator to coordinate and facilitate the EV Program with emphasis on model communities corridor programs;
2) an Informational Notice will be issued informing local governments of the opportunity to participate in the EV Model Corridor Community Program. Subsequently, a solicitation for cost-share funding of EV infrastructure and associated activities will be issued to cities which have been designated as EV Model Communities; and
3) a Request for Qualifications to provide incentives to consumers to purchase EVs by offering a $5,000 buydown of the purchase price when sold within the South Coast Air District by a qualified manufacturer.
o The MSRC plans to leave the remaining funds in reserve while it continues to explore other project categories eligible for funding. The MSRC may return to the Board for approval of one or more RFPs later in the year using the remaining funds. The reserve will also be used for the reimbursement of schools' Rule 1501 fees, as mandated by law, and administration and audit costs.
Final contract execution for the FY 1995-97 Work Program projects will be staggered so that only $12.5 million is encumbered annually, assuming the AB 2766 funding remains available. The program funding will be staggered as follows:
Alternative Fuels RFPs FY 1995-96 FY 1996-97
Public Transit $4,000,000
School Buses $4,000,000
Fleet Acquisitions $1,500,000
Specialized RFPs $5,500,000
Rail Feeder/Rail Station
Transportation Control Measures
Research & Development
"Quick Charge" ZEV Program
RFP for Outreach Coordinator $175,000
Informational Notice for Corridor
Community Program $825,000
RFQ for Buydown Incentive $6,000,000
Reserve for Future Projects $550,000 $2,500,000
Total $12,550,000 $12,500,000
The MSRC reviewed and approved the above at its June 22, 1995, meeting. The Administrative Committee also reviewed this request on June 23, 1995. The MSRC requests the District Governing Board's approval on the FY 1995-97 solicitations.
THEREFORE, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE BOARD
--Approve the above proposed solicitations for the FY 1995-97 AB 2766 Discretionary Fund Program.
Sincerely,
John Longville
Chair, Mobile Source Air Pollution
Reduction Review Committee
JL:TE:LR:DAR
Attachments (9)
(a:9596rfps.doc)