Proposal:

Issue RFP to Develop and Demonstrate Low-Emission Alternative Fuel Two- and Four-Cycle Commercial Lawn and Garden Equipment

Synopsis:

Lawn and garden equipment contribute significantly to the Basin’s VOC and CO emissions. This action is to issue an RFP to develop and demonstrate low-emission alternative fuel commercial lawn and garden equipment. AQMD funding for this $700,000 project is $350,000.

Committee:

Technology, February 28, 1997, Recommended for Approval

Recommended Action:

Issue RFP #9697-32 to develop and demonstrate low-emission alternative fuel two- and four-cycle commercial lawn and garden equipment, in an amount not to exceed $350,000.

James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer

Background

Over the last several years, interest in reducing emissions from off-road mobile sources has increased due to heightened awareness of the significance of their contribution to the emissions inventory in light of more stringent on-road emissions standards. Based on the 1993 South Coast Air Basin emissions inventory which was developed for the 1997 AQMP, the lawn and garden equipment category, which includes lawnmowers, edgers, trimmers, leaf blowers, and chain saws, produces roughly 14 tons per day of VOC, 0.5 tons per day of NO_x, and 108 tons per day of CO emissions. Commercial applications produce the vast majority of emissions from this category.

State and federal exhaust emission standards for lawn and garden equipment at or below 25 horsepower have been adopted in recent years. In addition, AQMD rule 1623, adopted in 1996, allows for generation of NO_x, VOC, CO, and PM mobile source emission reduction credits for either the replacement of existing lawn and garden equipment or direct sale of new low- or zero-emission equipment.

On-road vehicles incorporating advanced alternative fuel engine technologies have demonstrated the feasibility of meeting ARB ULEV standards. Application of alternative fuels and advanced engine and combustion technologies to lawn and garden equipment holds similar promise for achieving current emissions standards. Conversely, advanced alternative fuel technologies developed for lawn and garden equipment could be applied to other mobile sources. During FY 1996-1997, the Technology Advancement (TA) office issued a program opportunity notice (PON) seeking project pre-proposals in a number of areas including one entitled "Ultra-Low / Zero-Emission Commercial Lawn, Garden, or Utility Equipment." As a result of the PON, several pre-proposals focusing on advanced, alternative fuel lawn and garden equipment were received and reviewed.

Proposal

As a follow-up to the PON, an RFP is proposed to solicit cost-shared proposals for developing and demonstrating low-emission alternative fuel two- and four-cycle commercial lawn and garden equipment. The RFP focuses on demonstrating advanced, alternative fuel technologies which can be applied to engines used in lawn and garden equipment. This solicitation is for technologies for which proofs-of-concept have been demonstrated, not for basic research. Proposals must target emissions levels which are significantly lower than adopted emissions standards. In addition, factors such as proposer’s related previous project experience and feasibility of near-term commercialization will be considered. The proposed project is included in the October 1996 update of the Technology Advancement Plan as proposed projects M5-2 and M5-3 for low- and zero-emission utility equipment.

In 1996, in conjunction with several small engine manufacturers, the ARB provided co-funding of roughly $200,000 to BKM, Inc. to develop a low emitting two-cycle utility engine. Under this contract, BKM, Inc. will design, manufacture, and test prototype engines featuring cost competitive electronically controlled fuel injection. This ongoing project focuses on demonstrating the feasibility of meeting existing standards with the use of traditional, petroleum-based fuels. The proposed AQMD project augments ARB’s effort by promoting promising alternative fuel technologies to achieve and exceed the standards. Since the ARB is focusing its efforts on conventional fuels, it is not providing co-funding for AQMD’s proposed project.

The proposed project is included in the Technology Advancement Plan, approved on October 11, 1996, as Project M5-3, "Development and Demonstration of Low Emission, Alternative Fuel Technologies for Off-Road Applications." The major benefits of this project include the proof of concept of new technologies, increased exposure and user acceptance of the new technologies, diversification of transportation fuels, direct emission reductions from demonstrations of these technologies, and the potential for increased use, and resulting emission reduction, of the demonstrated technologies through their expedited commercialization.

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 (909) 396-2724.

Bid Evaluation

Proposals received will be evaluated by a panel selected according to the criteria spelled out in the attached RFP #9697-32. Due to the particular importance of technical qualifications in awarding advanced technology contracts, staff has proposed in the RFP to weight a significant portion of the cost component of the scoring by technical strength, in effect a form of cost-effectiveness. This form of scoring differs from the general practice of using total costs as the sole criterion, which the Board’s Consultant Selection Policy may be interpreted to call for. This change was brought to the attention of the Technology Committee, which approved this revision.

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

The total amount of AQMD funding for the proposed RFP will not exceed $350,000. The total project costs, including match funds/co-funding is expected to be $700,000. Sufficient funds are available in the FY 1996-1997 Budget.

Attachment

RFP #9697-32, Develop and Demonstrate Low-Emission Alternative Fuel Two- and Four-Cycle Commercial Lawn and Garden Equipment

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