PROPOSAL:

Issue RFQ to Purchase Laboratory-Based Gas Chromatograph with Mass Spectrometry Detection

SYNOPSIS:

AQMD is currently implementing the PAMS fifth-year program. A laboratory-based Gas Chromatograph with Mass Spectrometry Detection (GC/MS) is needed to identify VOCs in the ambient air of the South Coast Air Basin. The EPA has provided funding for this analytical device as part of the fifth-year PAMS allocation. This action is to issue an RFQ to purchase the GC/MS in an amount not to exceed $90,000. Sufficient funds are allocated in the FY 1997-98 budget.

COMMITTEE:

Administrative, October 24, 1997, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Issue the attached RFQ #2011 for the purchase of a laboratory-based GC/MS for PAMS fifth-year program implementation.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D. Env.
Acting Executive Officer

Background

EPA mandated the Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS) program and regulations on February 12, 1993 as required by the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. The Azusa, Upland, and Pico Rivera sites came on-line in 1994. The Banning site became operational in 1996. The Hawthorne and Burbank stations were added this year. The Santa Clarita station is scheduled to come on-line in 1998, for a total of seven locations.

The Laboratory is responsible for the analysis of ozone precursors in ambient air samples taken at each site. By 1998, the Laboratory is expected to process 1,500 canister samples per year which exceeds the capacity of the Laboratory’s existing instrumentation. Additionally, the Burbank and Pico Rivera sites process 780 samples per year. To accommodate the expanding sample load, an additional headquarters-based GC/MS is needed. The heaviest PAMS sampling occurs during the summer and fall months and the Laboratory can utilize the same GC/MS during the winter and spring months to satisfy an increased demand for air toxic analyses.

Proposal

Issue an RFQ to competitively select a vendor(s) for the purchase of a laboratory-based GC/MS.

Outreach

In accordance with AQMD's consulting and contracting policies, a public notice advertising the RFQ and inviting bids will be published in the following publications:

1.	Antelope Valley Press	10.	La Opinion	19.	Precinct Reporter
2.	Black Voice News	11.	La Voz	20.	Rafu Shimpo
3.	Chinese Daily News	12.	Los Angeles Daily News	21.	Riverside Press Enterprise
4.	Eastern Group Publications	13.	Los Angeles Sentinel	22.	San Bernardino Sun
5.	El Chicano	14.	Los Angeles Times	23.	Santa Clarita Signal
6.	Excelsior, The	15.	M/W/DVBE Source	24.	State of California Contracts
7.	Inland Empire Hispanic News	16.	Orange County Register		Register
8.	Inland Valley Daily Bulletin	17.	Palm Springs Desert Sun
9.	Korea Central Daily	18.	Philippine News

Additionally, potential bidders will be identified using the 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; AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors; and 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 placed on the Internet at AQMD’s Web site [http://www.aqmd.gov, "Business & Job Opportunities" icon] and AQMD’s 24-hour telephone message line for bidders (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 RFQ #2011.

Proposition 209 Compliance

On August 28, 1997, Proposition 209 went into effect when a stay of enforcement was lifted. Proposition 209 prohibits granting of preferential treatment based upon race, ethnicity, color, sex or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting. On October 10, 1997, the District’s Board adopted an Interim Contracting & Purchasing Policy and Consultant Selection Policy. The Interim Policy eliminates the granting of preference points based upon race or gender and only requires a good faith effort to subcontract with minority and women-owned businesses if subcontracts are to be let, when contracts are funded in whole or in part by EPA grant funds. Proposition 209 does not prohibit actions necessary to maintain eligibility for federal funding. In addition, in compliance with federal requirements, local preference points are allowed only if the contract does not involve federal funding. This contract award will be based on the interim policy. The remainder of the District’s Contracting and Purchasing Policy and Consultant Selection Policy remains unchanged.

Resource Impacts

Sufficient funds for the purchase of a laboratory-based GC/MS are allocated in the approved FY 1997-98 budget as part of the Board’s recognition of the EPA PAMS funds in July 1997.

Attachments

RFQ #2011, Purchase of Laboratory-Based GC/MS

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