BOARD MEETING DATE: August 8, 1997 AGENDA NO. 2
Proposal:
Execute Contract to Develop Low-VOC Solvents
Synopsis:
Solvent cleaning and degreasing operations contribute significantly to the South Coast Air Basin's VOC emissions. Technological advancements are needed to reduce these emissions and to meet the goals of the 1997 AQMP. Based on results of a competitive solicitation, the Institute for Research and Technical Assistance scored highest and should be selected to develop and demonstrate zero- or low-VOC products for solvent cleaning and degreasing operations. Total project cost is $131,900.
Committee:
Technology, July 25, 1997. Chair Leonard Paulitz communicated his concurrence with the staff’s recommendation.
Recommended Action:
Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Institute for Research and Technical Assistance (IRTA) to develop and demonstrate zero- or low-VOC products for solvent cleaning and degreasing operations in an amount not to exceed $131,900 from the Advanced Technology Fund.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Interim Executive Officer
VOC emissions generated from solvent cleaning and degreasing operations contribute significantly to the South Coast Air Basin's emissions inventory. The 1997 AQMP calls for significant reduction in VOC emissions from these operations by 2010 to meet air quality standards. To achieve the AQMP's goals, it is necessary to assist certain segments of industry in the timely development and commercialization of zero- or low-VOC cleaning systems comprised of aqueous solvents and appropriate equipment by use of advanced technologies that fulfill both AQMD and end users' requirements in a cost-effective manner.
This project focuses on the development and evaluation of zero- or low-VOC systems comprised of aqueous solvents and appropriate equipment in support of recent and future amendments to Rules 1171 and 1122. The development process will be targeted towards specific application areas with evaluation of the performance of these systems in terms of cleaning efficiency, durability, and waste disposal characteristics in actual operating conditions and cost-effectiveness. The proposed project is included in the Technology Advancement Plan, approved by the Board on October 11, 1996 as Project S3-2, "Development and Demonstration of Near-Zero or Zero VOC Coating and Solvent Formulations." The major benefit of this project is to assist industry in developing zero- or low-VOC products for solvent cleaning and degreasing operations. This will, in turn, result in significant reduction of VOC emissions due to product enhancement, certification, and commercialization of newly developed aqueous solvents, with cost-effective and satisfactory operational characteristics for end users. To solicit proposals for assistance in the development of these solvents, an RFP, approved by the Board on February 14, 1997, was issued.
In accordance with AQMD's consulting and contracting policies, a public notice advertising the RFP and inviting bids was published in the following publications:
6. Inland Empire Hispanic News
7. Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
18. Riverside Press Enterprise
20. State of California Contracts Register
Additionally, potential bidders were notified from Los Angeles County MTA and Cal Trans Directories of Certified Minority, Women, Disadvantaged and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises; the Inland Area Opportunity Pages Ethnic/Women Business & Professional Directory; AQMD's own electronic listing of certified minority vendors; and AQMD Purchasing's mailing list. Copies of the RFP were mailed to the Black and Latino Legislative Caucuses and various minority chambers of commerce and business associations; and were placed on the Internet at AQMD's Web site [http://www.aqmd.gov] and AQMD's bidder's 24-hour telephone message line [(909) 396-2724].
The evaluation panel was comprised of AQMD staff members Fred Minassian, Air Quality Specialist, Tom Liebel, Air Quality Specialist, Abid Latif, Air Quality Specialist, and Corazon Choa, Principal Air Quality Chemist. The panel consisted of three males and one female; two Caucasians and two Asian Pacific Islanders.
Three proposals were received by the March 28, 1997 closing date. They were reviewed and evaluated according to established AQMD guidelines. 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. Next, the technically qualified proposals were evaluated using the criteria of "cost, cost per technical approach and work statement, and other factors," as outlined in the RFP. Using this two-step selection process, the proposal from IRTA received the highest overall score.
IRTA's proposal adheres to all the tasks described in the RFP's work statement, and it is the only proposal that satisfies the requirements of the RFP's technical criteria. It is particularly strong in its technical approach compared to the other proposals, and it clearly outlines several classes of chemicals and processes as potential alternatives to VOC solvents in cleaning applications. The benefits and the problems associated with these processes which must be solved, as well as the goals of the AQMP, are well documented and described in this proposal. IRTA has established ongoing relationships with many vendors and proposes to obtain the formulations and equipment free of charge, and perform the tests and demonstrations at vendor and user sites.
It is AQMD policy to award additional points or cost benefits for minority-owned, woman-owned, and/or disabled veteran-owned business enterprises. On November 5, 1996 California voters approved Proposition 209 which prohibits discrimination or granting preferential treatment based upon race, ethnicity, color, sex or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting. (Proposition 209 does not address disabled veteran-owned business enterprises.) On December 16, 1996, the Federal District Court issued an order applicable to all government agencies in California prohibiting enforcement of Proposition 209. The December 16, 1996 court order has been reversed by an appellate panel; however, a motion for rehearing has been filed and the stay continues in effect. Therefore, the AQMD’s existing policy remains in effect. Should the status of the law change at any point during the process of issuing an RFP or RFQ or entering into a contract pursuant to a previously issued RFP or RFQ, the AQMD will abide by the law in effect at the time the action is taken and any RFP or RFQ will be deemed modified to comply with existing law and any provisions in conflict with existing law will not be enforced.
Sufficient funds are available in the Technology Advancement Fund.
A- Summary of Evaluation of Three Proposals Received in Response to RFP # 9697-31.
/ / /
Attachment A
Summary of Evaluation of Responses to RFP #9697-31
Three proposals were received in response to this RFP. They were from Institute for Research and Technical Assistance (IRTA), Brash Industries, and Creative EnterpriZes.
Step 1 - Technical Criteria (70 points minimum, 100 points maximum)
|
Proposer | |||
|
IRTA |
Brash |
Creat. Ent. |
|
|
Panel Average |
87.0 |
54.8 |
17.2 |
|
Carry-over (50% of points > 70) |
8.5 |
Not Qualif. |
Not Qualif. |
Step 2 - Cost and Other Factors (85 points maximum)
|
Criteria |
Proposer |
|
IRTA |
Brash |
Creat. Ent. |
|
Cost
(Maximum = 20 points for lowest cost) (Actual amount) |
20.0 ($131,900) |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Cost per Technical Approach and Work Statement (Maximum = 50) |
50.0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Certified MBE/WBE/DVBE
(Maximum = 10) OR Minimum of 20% Participation by MBE/WBE/DVBE Subcontractors
(Maximum = 7) |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Local Business Enterprise (Maximum = 5) |
5 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Total |
75.0 |
N/A |
N/A |
Total Score (100 points maximum)
|
Criteria |
Proposer |
|
IRTA |
Brash |
Creat. Ent. |
|
Step 1 Carry-over Points (Maximum = 15) |
8.5 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Step 2 Points (Maximum = 85) |
75.0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Total |
83.5 |
N/A |
N/A |