PROPOSAL:

Issue RFQ to Acquire an Automated Gas Chromatograph System for the Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations Program

SYNOPSIS:

The Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS) program is in its fourth year of implementation and an Automated Gas Chromatograph System is needed for the Burbank PAMS Type 2 Site, slated to be on-line for the 1997 smog season. This equipment is the most cost effective way to develop the required air monitoring data. There is $70,000 allocated for the purchase of an Automated Gas Chromatograph in FY 1996-97 budget.

COMMITTEE:

Administrative, December 20, 1996, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve the issuance of the attached RFQ to acquire an Automated Gas Chromatograph System for the PAMS Air Monitoring Network.

James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer

Background

The AQMD is providing VOC and carbonyl data to meet EPA’s Ambient Air Quality Surveillance Rule 40 CFR Part 58. In the 5-year plan submitted in 1993, the Burbank Type 2 Site is slated to start operation in June 1997. Staff currently is using an Automated Gas Chromatograph at the Pico Rivera Type 2 PAMS site and believes this equipment is a more cost effective option of meeting the requirements of providing speciated, daily VOC analyses.

Proposal

The purpose of this RFQ is to competitively select a vendor(s) from which to purchase the Automated Gas Chromatograph for the PAMS Air Monitoring Network.

AQMD staff will advertise this RFQ in the following publications:

Los Angeles Times; Los Angeles Sentinel; Eastern Group Publications; La Voz; Orange County Register; The Excelsior; San Bernardino Sun; Precinct Reporter; El Chicano; Inland Valley Daily Bulletin; Inland Empire Hispanic News; Riverside Press-Enterprise; The Black Voice News; La Opinion; Rafu Shimpo; Chinese Daily News; Korea Central Daily; Philippine News; The M/W/DVBE Source and the California State 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 the Purchasing mailing list. Copies of the RFQs will be sent to the Black and Latino Legislative Caucuses and various minority chambers of commerce and business associations, and public service announcements will be sent out to various local radio, TV, and cable stations. The RFQ will be posted on AQMD’s Internet Web Site. The preference to be awarded under Section IIC of this RFQ for MBE/WBE firms may not be awarded if it is determined that this is in violation of Proposition 209.

Resource Impacts

There is $70,000 allocated for the purchase of the Automated Gas Chromatograph System in the FY 1996-97 budget. This amount was part of the EPA 105 Supplemental Grant for the fourth year implementation of the PAMS program which was recognized by the Board on July 12, 1996.

Attachment

RFQ # 1909