Proposal:

Issue RFP to Develop RECLAIM CEMS Performance Audit Program

RECLAIM mandates use of CEMS on approximately 400 major sources to quantify mass emissions of NOx and SOx. A performance audit program is necessary to monitor continued compliance to original AQMD certification specifications and ensure data validity. A technically sound and well-documented program must be developed to standardize audits performed by AQMD and contractors. This action is to contract for the development, verification, and documentation of this audit program. Total cost will not exceed $177,500 and has been included in the FY 196-97 budget.

Committee:

Administrative, January 24, 1997, Recommended for Approval

Recommended Action:

Approve issuance of RFP # 9697-28 to Develop RECLAIM CEMS Performance Audit Program.

James M. Lents, Ph. D.
Executive Officer

Background

The RECLAIM NOx/SOx rules mandate the use of Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) on approximately 400 major sources to quantify mass emissions of these pollutants. These CEMS are certified by the District for use as compliance monitoring systems. Subsequent to certification, an audit program is necessary to verify continued compliance with operational and accuracy specifications under which they were certified, and thereby ensure continued valid data. The audit program will be carried out by District staff and, depending on the auditing level of effort required, supplemented by contracting with independent testing laboratories participating in the District’s Laboratory Approval Program. To assure consistency among the different auditing entities in the conducting of performance/operational audits, and equity for the affected facilities; the procedures, technical guidance and methods will be fully documented and standardized in an audit manual.

Proposal

This RFP is to solicit and qualify bidders capable of developing and implementing a performance audit program for RECLAIM Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS). The selected proposer will be awarded a contract to develop, document, and test a performance audit program to provide assurance that emissions data generated by CEMS are both accurate and precise. The total funding for this RFP will not exceed $177,500 which will be awarded to the most cost-effective provider for this service.

Outreach

In accordance with the AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, a public notice advertising the RFP and inviting bids will be published in the following publications: The Black Voice News, Chinese Daily News, Eastern Group Publications, El Chicano, The Excelsior, Inland Empire Hispanic News, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Korea Central Daily, La Opinion, La Voz, Los Angeles Sentinel, Los Angeles Times, M/W/DVBE Source, Orange County Register, Philippine News, Precinct Reporter, Rafu Shimpo, Riverside Press Enterprise, the San Bernardino Sun, and the State of California Contracts Register. Additionally, potential bidders will be identified through Los Angeles County’s Directory of Certified Minority, Women, Disadvantaged and Disabled Veterans Business Enterprises; the Directory of Certified Firms published by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority; the Inland Area Opportunity Pages Ethnic/Women Business & Professional Directory; the Caltrans electronic bulletin board listing of Disadvantaged and Women Business Enterprises; the AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors; and AQMD Purchasing’s mailing list. Copies of the RFP will be mailed to the Black and Latino Legislative Caucuses and various minority chambers of commerce and business associations; and will be placed on the Internet at AQMD’s Web site [http://www.aqmd.gov] and on AQMD’s bidder’s 24-hour telephone message line. In addition, public service announcements will be sent to local radio, TV and cable stations. Further personal outreach efforts by staff will be made to various minority businesses and chambers of commerce to inform and invite prospective bidders to submit proposals.

Bid Evaluation

The proposals will be evaluated by a Proposal Evaluation Panel (Panel) comprised of AQMD staff with expertise in source testing, CEMS auditing, RECLAIM requirements; engineering, project management, and contract administration. The Panel will evaluate all proposals based on the evaluation criteria specified in the RFP

Proposition 209 Compliance

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. 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.

Resource Impacts

Total cost will not exceed $177,500. The funds required for the proposed contracting work have been included in the FY 1996-97 budget. Staff anticipates the recommendation to the Board for contract awards at the June 1997 Board meeting.

Attachment

RFP #9697-28