Proposal:
Execute a Contract to Cost-Share an Evaluation of Three-Way Catalyst Technology for Off-Road Equipment Powered by Gasoline and Liquefied Petroleum Gas Engines
Synopsis:
Emission reduction goals have been established for off-road equipment powered by gasoline and/or liquefied petroleum gas engines of 25 to less than 175 horsepower in the State Implementation Plan. The objective of this project is to demonstrate the technical feasibility of utilizing closed-loop three-way catalyst technology on these engines in order to meet the SIP's targets. Staff recommends executing an agreement with the California Air Resources Board in an amount not to exceed $150,000 to cost share this $450,000 project.
Committee:
Technology, February 13, 1996, Recommended for Approval
Recommended Action:
Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with the California Air Resources Board in an amount not to exceed $150,000 to demonstrate the technical feasibility of utilizing closed-loop three-way catalyst technology in off-road gasoline and/or liquefied petroleum gas engine applications, subject to adoption and inclusion of the Technology Advancement Plan and the Clean Fuels Program.
James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer
MAN:CNA
Background
Off-road equipment powered by gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) engines of 25 to less than 175 horsepower contribute significantly to the South Coast Air Basin baseline mobile source emissions inventory. There currently are no emissions standards for these engines and in the absence of controls, it is estimated that this category will contribute 20 percent of the total reactive organic gas (ROG) emissions to the Basin inventory in 2010.. The State Implementation Plan (SIP) adopted by the AQMD and California Air Resources Board (ARB) in 1994, includes control measures M11 and M12, which would reduce emissions from off-road equipment powered by gasoline and LPG engines with 25 to less than 175 horsepower.
Closed-loop three-way catalyst (TWC) technology has been instrumental in achieving dramatic reductions in hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from passenger cars since the early 1980s. Since many of the off-road engines targeted in SIP control measures M11 and M12 are similar to, or derived from early 1980s automobile engines, it may be possible to transfer TWC technology to gasoline and LPG industrial equipment engines for emissions control.
The ARB intends to release a request for proposals (RFP) to determine the technical feasibility of utilizing closed-loop TWC technology in off-road gasoline and LPG engine applications to meet the goals established in SIP control measures M11 and M12. The proposed project will consist of an assessment of technologies which could be used to reduce exhaust emissions from gasoline and LPG engines of 25 to less than 175 horsepower, with an emphasis on TWC technology, and an evaluation of the potential of the identified technologies to meet the emission reduction requirements set in the SIP. Following this preliminary assessment, a prototype TWC-equipped gasoline/LPG system will be developed and tested for durability of both the engine and the emissions control system.
The proposed project is included in the Technology Advancement Plan for the Clean Fuels Program MS-12, "Development and Demonstration of Low Emission, Alternative Fuel Technologies for Off-Road Applications." One expected benefit of this project is the proof-of-concept of TWC technology for off-road equipment powered by gasoline and LPG engines, which could ultimately result in direct reductions of exhaust HC, CO, and NOx.. In addition, this project could assist in compliance with SIP control measures M11 and M12.
Sole Source Justification
Section II, Step 3(C) of the Consultant Selection Policy identifies four provisions under which the Governing Board may award a sole-source contract: (1) cost to prepare documents exceeds the cost for consultants; (2) delay would result in the endangerment of public health, (3) services are only available from the sole source, (4) other circumstances exist identifying the sole source as in the best interest of the AQMD. This request for sole source award is being made under provision (4). ARB will be the primary contractor and will be responsible for overall management of this project. Along with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the ARB has regulatory authority to establish and implement emission standards for off-road engines and equipment. In this capacity, the ARB has worked closely with the EPA and off-road equipment and engine manufacturers and is well acquainted with the industry and issues related to regulatory development.
As a lead agency for developing both on- and off-road equipment and engine regulations, the ARB is well positioned to oversee an evaluation of mobile source emission control technologies and, if feasible, the transfer of on-road controls to off-road categories. This ability is critical to the successful execution of this project. In addition, the ARB has had extensive experience in managing and administering projects involving off-road engine and equipment.
It is important that this project be funded because the transfer of an effective on-road emission control technology to this currently unregulated off-road category could shape future regulations which, in turn, would provide a direct emissions benefit in the Basin. In addition, TWC technology could potentially apply to LPG as well as gasoline off-road equipment, promoting additional sales penetration of LPG-fuel equipment in the Basin. By providing co-funding for this project, the AQMD will participate in all administrative and technical aspects, including review of an RFP which will precede the ARB's award of a contract for this work, selection of a contractor to complete work specified under the contract, reviewing all deliverables, and meeting regularly with ARB staff and representatives from other contractors involved with this project.
California State law (Public Contract Code, Section 10115 et seq. and Title 2, California Code of Regulations, Section 1896.60 et seq.) requires that "goals of participation" involving Minority, Women, and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises be met for each contract entered into by and between the State and outside contractor(s). The minimum percentages of participation that must be obtained for this contract are: Minority Business Enterprises (15%), Women Business Enterprises (5%), and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (3%). Bidders that will be considered responsive to this requirement are those that either attain the entire participation goal percentages, or provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate that a sincere good-faith effort was made to attain the goals.
Resource Impacts
The total cost of the project is $450,000, with AQMD's co-sponsorship amount not to exceed $150,000. At this time, the ARB intends to provide the $300,000 balance of funding for this project. Sufficient funds are available in the Fiscal Year 1995-96 budget to fund this project.
BD13:3-96I