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PROPOSAL:

Issue Request for Qualifications to Prequalify Source Testing Firms to Provide Supplemental Source Testing Services

SYNOPSIS:

To maintain support for rule development and compliance actions during periods when existing staff cannot adequately meet these needs, external contractors are necessary, on an as-needed basis. This action is to issue a Request for Qualifications to establish a list of prequalified source testing firms to supplement AQMD emissions testing and test protocols and/or test method development efforts, as needed, over a one-year period. Total funds for this purpose are not to exceed $150,000. Sufficient funds are available in the FY 1997-98 Budget.

COMMITTEE:

Administrative, February 20, 1998, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Issue the attached Request for Qualifications #2017 to establish a list of prequalified vendors for supplemental source testing services on an as-required basis over a 12-month period.

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

Background

The AQMD’s Contracting and Purchasing Policy and Procedure provides for the purchase of non-consultant services and supplies from lists of prequalified vendors approved by the Board. The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for supplemental source testing services will be used to establish a list of prequalified vendors to perform source tests in Los Angeles, Orange, and those portions of Riverside and San Bernardino counties subject to AQMD rules and regulations, and to provide technical assistance to AQMD in developing, documenting and writing test protocols and/or test methods to support AQMD regulatory programs. The RFQ will be used to establish a list valid for a 12-month period.

The annual expenditures for this service are not expected to exceed $150,000 and will be used to augment the source testing capability of AQMD during periods when existing staff cannot adequately meet the testing needs of the agency. Once a prequalified list of vendors has been established, AQMD will seek bids on a per-task basis. Tasks may include: conducting source emission tests independently at a source and for pollutants specified by AQMD; assisting AQMD in conducting source emissions tests under on-site direction by AQMD staff; assisting AQMD in developing, documenting, and writing source test protocols to address BACT determination, equipment certification, or rule development; and assisting AQMD in revising source test methods to better reflect current technology and practice. For each task, AQMD will use the prequalified vendor which can meet the task criteria and objectives with the lowest cost. This process assures cost savings and rapid response to AQMD needs.

Proposal

Issue an RFQ to solicit the submittal of qualifications to establish list of prequalified vendors to perform supplemental source testing services, in an as-required basis.

Outreach

In accordance with the 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 vendors will be notified 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; AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors; and AQMD Purchasing’s mailing list. Copies of the RFQ 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 bidder’s 24-hour telephone message line (909) 396-2724.

Bid Evaluation

Qualifications received will be evaluated by an ethnic- and gender-diverse panel of technically qualified individuals according to the criteria described in attached RFQ #2017.

Resource Impacts

Sufficient funds of $150,000 are available in the approved FY 1997-98 Budget; however, to provide for this amount, a redirection of $100,000 is needed from funds previously approved for Remote Optical Sensing. The current downsizing of source testing staff has occurred more rapidly than a corresponding reduction in AQMD needs for such services, especially for supporting rule and protocol development. To assure that these critical functions are supported, the redirection of funds for a greater level of vendor-provided services is needed at this time.

Attachments

RFQ #2017

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