Proposal:
Execute Contract for Air Quality Modeling Evaluation of the "Cool Communities" Ozone Control Strategy
Synopsis:
The use of light color roofing and paving materials and increased tree planting has been suggested as a strategy to reduce temperatures in high ozone receptor areas, decreasing ozone formation and energy demand for cooling. Based on results of a competitive solicitation, Environ International Corporation has been selected to conduct air quality modeling to evaluate the feasibility of the "Cool Communities" strategy. Total project cost is $44,967.
Committee:
Technology, November 15, 1996, Recommended for Approval
Recommended Action:
Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Environ International Corporation in an amount not to exceed $44,967, to be funded from the Advanced Technology Fund.
James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer
Background
As Basin air quality continues to improve, high ozone concentrations occur less frequently and in limited, localized areas. Similarly, exposures to high ozone concentrations occur over smaller areas. These trends may make it more cost-effective to plan and implement local concentration reduction strategies in well-characterized high ozone exposure receptor areas rather than implementing more stringent region-wide emission control programs for stationary and mobile sources.
One ozone control strategy which has been proposed is the "Cool Communities" concept. Typically, urban areas have darker surfaces and less vegetation than rural areas. This results in urban summer temperatures which are, on average, 5oF higher than surrounding rural areas. The 1997 draft AQMP includes control measure MSC-01, "Promotion of Lighter Color Roofing and Road Materials Programs," which addresses this "heat island" effect by encouraging activities such as use of lighter color and more reflective surface materials for roofing and road pavement, and increased tree plantings to lower ambient temperatures in urban areas. In this approach, which has been promoted by the U.S. Department of Energy for several years, lowered urban ambient temperatures would reduce photochemical reactions and subsequent ozone formation. In addition, demand for electricity for cooling purposes would be reduced, in turn decreasing formation of NOx, a precursor to ozone. The environmental impact of implementing lighter color, more reflective surface coatings can be minimized with the use of low- and zero-VOC coatings complying with AQMD Rule 1113, while the impact of increased tree plantings can be limited with the planting of low- and zero-VOC emitting trees.
Proposal
The implementation of the "Cool Communities" strategy could result in cost-effective ozone concentration reductions. However, the magnitude of control cannot be estimated without a rigorous modeling assessment to evaluate feasibility. In this project, air quality modeling and evaluation will be conducted to determine the ozone concentration reduction, equivalent emission reduction potential, and cost-effectiveness of the "Cool Communities" concept. A sensitivity or uncertainty analysis also will be conducted in conjunction with the air quality modeling effort.
In support of this effort, a working group has been established consisting of modeling experts from the AQMD, other government agencies, research, and private industry. The working group will provide input to the modeling effort and will assist with project oversight. If the modeling results are promising, this project could serve as the basis for a scaled-up demonstration of several ozone control strategies in a local area with relatively high ozone concentrations. Ultimately, consistent with draft 1997 AQMP control measure MSC-01, these preliminary studies could serve as the basis for an AQMD program to promote the use of light colored roofing and pavement and increased tree planting.
On September 13, 1996, RFP #9697-12 was released. It was listed in the following publications:
Los Angeles Times, Orange County Register, San Bernardino Sun, Riverside Press Enterprise, La Opinion, Korea Central Daily, Rafu Shimpo, Philippine News, L.A. Sentinel, Eastern Group Publication, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (SB area), Inland Empire Hispanic News, Precinct Reporter, El Chicano, The Black Voice News, La Voz, The Excelsior, Chinese News, M/W/DVBE Source.
The RFP was also posted on the AQMD’s Internet web site. None of the technically qualified proposers were eligible for additional points due to M/W/DVBE and therefore there is no potential violation of proposition 209. A total of four proposals were received by the October 15, 1996 closing date. They were reviewed and evaluated according to established AQMD guidelines by a panel comprised of AQMD staff and members of the above-described working group. The six member panel consisted of five males and one female; four Caucasians and 2 Asians. A summary of the panel’s scoring is included as Attachment A. The evaluation process involved two steps. First, proposals were evaluated using technical criteria. Proposals receiving scores of at least 70 out of 100 points were considered technically qualified and eligible for contract award. Based on the technical criteria, one proposal received an averaged score of less than 70 points and was eliminated from further consideration. Next, the technically qualified proposals were evaluated using the criteria of "cost and other factors," as outlined in the RFP. Using this two-step selection process, the proposal from Environ International Corporation received the highest overall score.
Resource Impacts
Sufficient funds for this project are available in the Advanced Technology Fund.
Attachment
A- Summary of Evaluation of Four Proposals Received in Response to RFP #9697-12
BD13:12-96C
Attachment A
Summary of Evaluation of
Four Proposals Received in Response to RFP #9697-12
Four proposals were received in response to this RFP from the following:
Step 1 - Technical Criteria (70 points minimum, 100 points maximum)
|
Proposer | ||||
|
AMI |
Environ |
MCNC |
SAI | |
|
Panel Average |
69.2 |
82.5 |
76.3 |
84.2 |
|
Carry-over (50% of points > 70) |
N/A |
6.3 |
3.2 |
7.1 |
Step 2 - Cost and Other Factors (85 points maximum)
|
Criteria |
Proposer | |||
|
AMI |
Environ |
MCNC |
SAI | |
|
Cost (Maximum = 70) |
N/A |
70 ($44,967) |
64.2 ($49,058) |
63 ($50,000) |
|
Certified MBE/WBE/DVBE (Maximum = 10) |
N/A |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Local Business Enterprise (Maximum = 5) |
N/A |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
N/A |
70 |
64.2 |
63 |
Total Score (100 points maximum)
|
Criteria |
Proposer | |||
|
AMI |
Environ |
MCNC |
SAI | |
|
Step 1 Carry-over Points (Maximum = 15) |
N/A |
6.3 |
3.2 |
7.1 |
|
Step 2 Points (Maximum = 85) |
N/A |
70 |
64.2 |
63 |
|
Total |
N/A |
76.3 |
67.4 |
70.1 |