September 8, 1995

South Coast Air Quality

Management District Board

At its July 14, 1995 meeting, the Board approved the release of a Request For Proposals (RFP) for the application of an episodic aerosol/visibility model to the South Coast Air Basin as part of the PM10 Technical Enhancement Program. The objective of the proposed study is to apply an existing three-dimensional model that is capable of simulating ozone concentrations and PM10 aerosol components in the South Coast Air Basin. The episodic aerosol/visibility model will complement the current ozone and PM10 models used at the AQMD. The state-of-science episodic aerosol/visibility model will provide quantitative relationships between sources and enhance the AQMD's ability to assess proposed control measures for the 1997 PM10 Attainment Demonstration State Implementation Plan (SIP) and the 1997 Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) revision which is required under state law.

The RFP was publicly noticed and circulated to 63 firms in accordance with the AQMD's Consultant Selection Policy and Procedures. By close of bidding on August 7, 1995, one proposal was received from Sonoma Technology Inc. The proposal was reviewed by a four-member evaluation panel consisting of representatives from the AQMD, California Air Resources Board, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and one technical expert from the automotive industry. A summary of the evaluation is attached. The Evaluation Panel recommended that Sonoma Technology Inc. be awarded a contract, based on its high technical rating in all categories. During the proposal review period, additional technical input was provided by an expert from the oil and gas industry. Attached is a copy of the comments provided by this expert and responses from staff and the proposer addressing his comments.

The results of this study will be reviewed by the PM10 Task Force which is comprised of academic and scientific experts in the field of photochemical and PM10 air quality modeling. Furthermore, the Modeling Working Group formed by the Governing Board in 1989 to review AQMP modeling analyses will review the study results.

Staff recommends that a bid be awarded to Sonoma Technology Inc. for an amount not to exceed $119,780. Sufficient funding is available in Planning and Policy's Fiscal Year (FY) 1995-96 Professional and Special Services Budget.

This recommendation was reviewed and approved by the Mobile Source Committee on August 25, 1995.

THEREFORE IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOUR BOARD

--Award the bid to Sonoma Technology Inc.;

--Authorize the Chairman to execute an agreement with Sonoma Technology Inc. in the amount not to exceed $119,780.

Respectfully,

James M. Lents, Ph.D.

Executive Officer

BRW:JPB:HH

Attachments

hh: sept-bd

Attachment

Summary of Evaluation of Proposals Received
in Response to RFP #9596-12

Step 1. Technical Criteria (70 points minimum, 100 points maximum)

                                              Reviewer                                            

Proposer             AQMD           ARB           EPA          FORD       Total      Avg.    

Sonoma Technology, Inc.       90            95            90            95         370       92.5    

Step 2. Cost and Other Factors

Proposer(1)                      COST(2)    MBE/WBE/DVBE      LOCAL         STEP 1     FINAL SCORE  
(3)        BUSINESS(4)     POINTS(5)                

Sonoma Technology, Inc.             70           0              0            11.3          81.3     

(1) Proposers scoring a minimum of 70 points in Step 1 are considered technically qualified and proceed to Step 2.

(2) Points for cost are prorated based on the lowest cost proposal.

(3) Seven points are based on a minimum of 20% participation by certified MBE/WBE/DVBE subcontractors.

(4) Five points are awarded to companies performing 90% of work within the District.

(5) Only 50% of Step 1 (Technical Criteria) points over 70 are carried over to Step 2.