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PROPOSAL:

Execute Contract for Identification of State-of-the-Science Sampling, Analytical and Compliance Assessment Technologies in Support of Environmental Justice Initiative No. 8 – Field Inspection Technology

SYNOPSIS:

On February 13, 1998, the Governing Board approved the issuance of an RFP to select contractors to identify state-of-the-science sampling, analytical and compliance assessment technologies in support of Environmental Justice Initiative No. 8 – Field Inspection Technology. Due to a lack of satisfactory bidders, the RFP was modified and re-released on April 14, 1998. A panel has reviewed the proposals and recommends executing a contract with Pacific Environmental Services, Inc. Funding for this project is included in the Fiscal Year 1998-99 Budget.

COMMITTEE:

Administrative, June 19, 1998, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Pacific Environmental Services, Inc. for a total amount not to exceed $45,000 to identify state-of-the-science sampling, analytical and compliance assessment technologies in support of Environmental Justice Initiative No. 8 – Field Inspection Technology.

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

Background

On October 10, 1997, the Board approved the Environmental Justice Initiatives proposed by Chairman William Burke. Initiative No. 8 – Field Inspection Technology is directed at implementing modern technology advances to enhance field enforcement efforts. The implementation plan for this initiative called for two workplans to be prepared and presented to the Board outlining the schedules to refine laboratory testing and analysis technologies and to improve in-field enforcement capabilities through the use of portable monitoring equipment. The implementation plan also directed the AQMD to contract with a consultant to conduct a state-of-the-science review of advanced testing, analysis, and inspection technology and evaluate existing AQMD capabilities. An RFP to conduct the field inspection and analytical technology assessment was included in the integrated Initiative No. 8 workplan which was presented and approved at the December 12, 1997 Board meeting.

On February 13, 1998, the Governing Board approved the release of RFP #9798-28 – "Field Inspection and Analytical Technology Assessment."

In accordance with AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, a public notice advertising this RFP and inviting bids was placed 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 were notified from the Los Angeles County MTA and Cal Trans Directories of Certified Minority, Woman, 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 Division's mailing list. Copies of the RFP were 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 and Job Opportunities" icon] and AQMD's bidder's 24 hour telephone message line (909) 396-2724.

Two separate bid review panels had to be convened in order to complete the consultant selection process. In response to the first version of the RFP, one proposal was received by March 20, 1998, the bidding deadline. This proposal was reviewed by a five-member panel composed of one Principle Chemist, one Senior Chemist, one Supervising Air Quality Inspector, one Air Quality Inspector II, and one Scientist from the County Sanitation District of Orange County. The panel consisted of three females and two males; one African American, one Asian/Pacific Islander, two Caucasians, and one multiethnic (Asian/Pacific Islander and Caucasian).

The one proposal that was submitted had a technical point score that was below 70 points. Therefore, a contract could not be recommended. Because of this, the RFP #9798-28 was modified, time frames for submitting a bid and for performing the required tasks were expanded and the RFP was rereleased April 14, 1998, again, in accordance with the AQMD's consulting and contracting policies described above.

Proposal

Two bids were received by the May 22, 1998 rereleased RFP bid submittal deadline. A five-member panel reviewed the proposals. This second panel had the same job title composition as the first panel. The panel consisted of three females and two males; one African American, three Caucasians and one multiethnic (Asian/Pacific Islander and Caucasian).

Of the two proposals submitted, one had a technical point score below 70 points and, therefore could not be considered further. The evaluation results of the remaining bid are as follows:

The selection criteria used to rank the proposals include: responsiveness to the RFP and a clear understanding of the work to be performed; technical expertise of the firm; overall experience and innovative solutions and accomplishments of the team; innovative approaches to responding to the RFP work statement tasks; project management staffing; past performance of the proposer on similar work previously done for the AQMD or other organizations; cost and certified disabled veteran-owned enterprise (DVBE) /joint ventures.

Therefore, based upon the RFP selection criteria, Pacific Environmental Services, Incorporated, is recommended to the Governing Board as the consultant for this project.

Resource Impacts

The total funding for the proposed RFP will not exceed $45,000. This project will be funded from the approved Fiscal Year 1998-99 Budget.

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