PROPOSAL:

Amend Contract for Technical Assistance Services to the AQMD in Support of AB 2766 Subvention Fund Program.

SYNOPSIS:

AQMD currently receives technical assistance services for local government-related activities from The Solis Group under a $48,270 contract which was competitively awarded in January 1997. The current contract expires September 21, 1997. There is a need to continue and expand assistance to local governments, especially as relates to the AB 2766 Program. This action is to amend the contract with The Solis Group, modify the Statement of Work, extend the term, and increase the contract amount by $25,000, for a total not to exceed $73,270.

COMMITTEE:

Administrative, August 22, 1997, no recommendation.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute an amendment to Contract No. 97069 with The Solis Group to modify the Statement of Work, extend the term to January 21, 1998, and increase the contract amount by $25,000 for a total not to exceed $73,270.

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

Background

In January 1997, following a competitive bidding process, The Solis Group was awarded a contract in the sum of $48,270 [ Because the contract amount was less than $50,000, Board approval was not required.] to aid AQMD staff in the design and implementation of a series of strategies to assist cities in identifying and developing both long- and short-range air pollution reduction programs.

The Contractor has been assisting cities in developing cost-effective mobile source emission reduction projects, funded by monies subvened from the AB 2766 Program, and has been identifying co-funding and/or additional funding opportunities. Contractor also has been providing guidance in developing proposals to leverage AB 2766 subvention funds. The contractor has performed the contract tasks at a quality level.

Further technical assistance will focus on cities in the South Coast Basin that have not yet programmed AB 2766 subvention funds. The contractor will provide a funding workshop for the San Bernardino/Riverside cities and counties. In addition, the contractor will continue to provide emissions reductions calculations to those cities requesting assistance. These services will be provided to cities throughout the AQMD’s jurisdiction. These additional and future duties necessitate modifying the Statement of Work, extending the term of the contract and increasing the contract amount.

The FY 1997-98 budget contains $100,000 for AB2766 technical assistance. The proposed contract amendment would come from this line item in AQMD’s budget. The remainder of the funds ($75,000) are being withheld to later in the budget year for other outreach activities, including preparation and dissemination of a guidebook for cities and counties.

Proposal

This action is to amend the contract with The Solis Group to modify the Statement of Work, extend the contract term to January 21, 1998, and increase the contract amount by $25,000 for a total not to exceed $73,270.

Administrative Committee Review

After the staff presentation, Board Member Nell Soto moved to add the remaining $75,000 (of a total of $100,000) budgeted in FY 1997-98 for AB2766 assistance to the Solis Group contract now to eliminate the need to come back for additional funds after the $25,00 being recommended by staff is expended. The vote on the motion was 3-3. A motion by Supervisor Silva to approve the staff recommendation also was a tie vote, 3-3. Therefore, the Administrative Committee referred this item to the full Board without recommendation.

Resource Impacts

Staff budgeted $100,000 for AB2766 outreach in FY 1997-98 to cover several outreach projects. Awarding the recommended $25,000 at this time to The Solis Group would enable the contractor to continue providing technical assistance. The remaining funds ($75,000) are budgeted for AB2766 Technical Assistance and can allow staff the option

to consider additional programs to be funded.

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