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PROPOSAL:

Issue Blanket Purchase Order for Purchase of Compressed Pure Gases and Cryogenic Liquids, and Establish List of Prequalified Vendors for Purchase of Compressed Mixed Gases

SYNOPSIS:

On May 8, 1998, the Board approved the release of an RFQ to purchase compressed pure gases and cryogenic liquids. Also, at the same meeting, the Board approved the release of a Request for Qualification to prequalify providers of compressed mixed gases. Seven bids for compressed gases, six bids for cryogenic liquids, and seven bids for compressed blended gases were received and evaluated. This action is to issue a blanket purchase order for the purchase of compressed pure gases and cyrogenic liquids, and establish a list of prequalified vendors for the purchase of compressed mixed gases.

COMMITTEE:

Administrative, July 24, 1998, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

1. Issue a blanket purchase order for the purchase of compressed pure gases and cryogenic liquids in an amount not to exceed $60,000.

2. Establish a list of prequalified vendors for the purchase of compressed mixed gases in an amount not to exceed $70,000.

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

Background

On May 8, 1998, the Governing Board released RFQ #2023 to competitively solicit bids for the purchase of compressed pure gases and cryogenic liquids. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) #2019 was also released to establish a list of prequalified vendors for the purchase of compressed mixed gases. The AQMD Laboratory uses compressed pure gases as carrier gases and purging agents, and cryogenic liquids are used to concentrate samples for gas chromatographic analysis for PAMS and other network samples. Applied Science & Technology uses compressed mixed gases for a wide variety of analytical and monitoring needs.

Proposal

Staff requests that the Board approve a blanket purchase order not to exceed $60,000 for the purchase of compressed pure gases and cryogenic liquids. Orders will be placed with the vendor having the lowest cost quotation, while meeting the delivery requirements specified in the RFQ.

Staff also requests that the Board establish a prequalification list for the purchase of compressed mixed gases. At the time of need for such gases, staff will request each qualified vendor to provide a cost quotation. Orders will be issued based upon the best overall cost, quality, and availability as required by AQMD. Total amount of orders are not to exceed $70,000.

Outreach

In accordance with the AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, public notices advertising the RFQs and inviting bids were 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

Individuals and vendors from 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, the AQMD’s certified minority vendors and Purchasing’s mailing list, and the Black and Latino Legislative Caucuses and various minority chambers of commerce and business associations were also notified of this RFQ via direct mail. These RFQs were placed on the Internet at AQMD’s Web site [http://www.aqmd.gov, "Business & Job Opportunities" icon], and advertised on the AQMD’s bidder 24-hour telephone message line.

Bid Evaluation

One hundred seventy-nine (179) copies of RFQ #2019 and RFQ #2023 were mailed out. Seven proposals each were received in response to RFQ #2019 and RFQ #2023 when the final bidding closed at 2:00 p.m. on June 9, 1998. The submitted proposals were evaluated based on the evaluation criteria contained in the RFQs. Attachment 1 reflects the price quotations and overall ranking of vendors from whom compressed gases will be purchased. Attachment 2 lists the price quotations and overall ranking of vendors from whom cryogenic liquids will be purchased. For the purchase of compressed mixed gases, all of the seven responding vendors for RFQ #2023 met the minimum requirements for placement on the list of prequalified vendors, as listed in Attachment 3.

The evaluation panel consisted of three AQMD staff: a Principal Air Quality Chemist, a Senior Air Quality Chemist and an Air Quality Chemist; one Asian Pacific Islander one Caucasian, one Hispanic; two male and one female.

Resource Impacts

The term of the blanket purchase orders is for the FY 1998-99. The quotations are valid until June 30, 1999. Staff estimates that $60,000 will be needed for the purchase of compressed pure gases and cryogenic liquids, and $70,000 for the purchase of compressed mixed gases. Sufficient funds are available in the FY 1998-99 Budget.

Attachments

Attachment 1 – Compressed Pure Gases Vendor List and Ranking, RFQ #2023

Attachment 2 – Cryogenic Liquids Vendor List and Ranking, RFQ, #2023

Attachment 3 – Prequalification List for Compressed Mixed Gases, RFQ #2019

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