BOARD MEETING

DATE: January 12, 1996

AGENDA NO. 7

PROPOSAL: Award Contract for California Environmental Quality Act Analysis Assistance

SYNOPSIS: At its October 13, 1995 meeting, the Governing Board approved the release of an RFP to secure assistance with environmental analysis required by CEQA. Proposals were reviewed by an evaluation panel and it is recommended that the most qualified bidders be awarded time and materials contracts, divided between three consultants, for a total amount not to exceed $150,000.

COMMITTEE: Administrative

RECOMMENDED ACTION

1. Award Contract to Environmental Audit, Inc. not to exceed $50,000.

2. Award Contract to Jones & Stokes not to exceed $50,000.

3. Award Contract to Environmental Compliance Solutions not to exceed $50,000.

4. Authorize the Executive Officer to execute the above contracts.

James M. Lents, Ph.D.

Executive Officer

BRW:CSL:CG:SS:li

Attachments

Background

Due to the number, complexity and technical nature of rules proposed for adoption or amendment during the upcoming year, AQMD staff anticipates the need for assistance from outside contractors in the preparation of all or portions of CEQA documents for a number of rules. Similar needs for assistance are expected for the preparation of CEQA documents for non-AQMD projects where the AQMD is the Lead Agency pursuant to Title 14, California Code of Regulations §15051 or 15052, which governs CEQA lead agency designation. At its October 13, 1995 meeting, the Governing Board approved release of an RFP to secure assistance with environmental analysis required by CEQA.

Bid Evaluation

The RFP was noticed and circulated according to the AQMD's Consultant Selection Policy and Procedure. In addition, the RFP was mailed directly to the AQMD's CEQA consultant mailing list, which includes approximately 250 consultants. This mailing specifically includes MBE, WBE, and DVBE certified consulting firms. The District received 14 written proposals by the close of bidding on November 14, 1995. A consultant selection panel consisting of District CEQA Staff, District Counsel, and SCAG Staff was formed to evaluate all of the submitted proposals according to the following criteria: CEQA Experience (weighted 40 percent), Air Quality Management Related Technical Expertise (weighted 30 percent), Government/Regulatory Experience (weighted 10 percent), Organization/Technical Writing (weighted 10 percent), Recommendations from Current or Past Clients (weighted 10 percent).

Based on the information contained in their written submittals, the evaluation panel recommends selection of three top rated contractors to assist with the preparation of CEQA documentation for AQMD projects. A comparison of proposal scores for those consultants whose proposals met the minimum technical requirements is provided in Table 1 of Attachment 1. Final scores, which includes Technical score; cost score; credit for being a certified MBE, WBE, or DVBE and/or using a certified MBE, WBE, or DVBE subcontractor; and credit for being a local business enterprise, are shown in Table 2 of Attachment 1.

It is recommended that the top three consultants be selected to provide greater flexibility and assure that adequate staffing will be available should multiple projects be required to be completed in the same time frame. The consultants also exhibit particular strengths in differing areas, thereby providing broader expertise than a single consultant selection.

Resource Impacts

Contract Services for CEQA projects are to be paid on a time and materials basis at a total cost not to exceed $150,000. Funding for these contracts is contained in the Planning and Policy's Professional and Special Services Account in the Fiscal Year 1995-96 Budget. There will be no additional staffing impacts from these contracts.

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