Proposal:

Issue RFQs to Prequalify Vendors to Purchase Publishing Services for Legal Notices and Advertisements, and Miscellaneous Office Supplies and Consumable Computer Supplies

Synopsis:

This action is to issue RFQs, the responses to which will be used to establish lists of prequalified vendors. From these lists, competitive bids will be solicited to publish legal notices and advertisements and to purchase miscellaneous office supplies and consumable computer supplies.

Committee:

Administrative, May 23, 1997, Recommended for Approval

Recommended Action:

Approve the release of the attached RFQs to establish lists of prequalified vendors to publish legal notices and advertisements and vendors from which to purchase miscellaneous office supplies, and consumable computer supplies.

James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer

Background

AQMD purchases newspaper services to publish legal notices and advertisements in the printed media, and miscellaneous office and consumable computer supplies. These services and supplies are used regularly to support the AQMD’s public notification requirements and to provide office and consumable supplies used daily by staff. During the first 9 months of FY 1996-97, the expenditures for these services and supplies were as follows: Publication of legal notices and advertisements $338,437 and miscellaneous office supplies including consumable computer supplies $45,530.

Proposal

Release of RFQs will allow newspaper service and office and computer supply vendors to bid on these services and supply requirements. AQMD staff will evaluate bids received to achieve competitive pricing and comparisons. Vendors selected as a result of the RFQ process will be recommended to the District Board to establish the prequalified vendor lists.

Outreach

In accordance with the AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, a public notice advertising the RFQ 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 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, San Bernardino Sun, and California State Contracts Register. Additionally, potential bidders will be notified from Los Angeles County MTA, and Cal Trans Directories of Certified Minority, Women, Disadvantaged and Disabled Veterans Business Enterprises; the Inland Area Opportunity Pages Ethnic/Women Business & Professional Directory; the AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors; and the AQMD Purchasing’s mailing list. Copies of the RFQs 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 AQMD’s bidder’s 24-hour telephone message line (909) 396-2724.

Bid Evaluation

Quotations received will be evaluated by an ethnic- and gender-diverse panel of technically-qualified individuals according to the criteria described in attached RFQs Nos. 1917, 1918, and 1919.

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. The December 16 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 RFQ 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

Funds are available in the FY 1997-98 Budget.

Attachments

RFQ #1917 - Legal Notice Advertisement Service
RFQ #1918 - Office Supplies
RFQ #1919 - Consumable Computer Supplies

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