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PROPOSAL:

Issue RFP for Demonstration of Electric Vehicle Rental Program

SYNOPSIS:

Successful commercialization and acceptability of electric vehicles by end users are important factors in reducing emissions from on-road vehicles. This action is to issue an RFP to solicit proposals for demonstration of electric vehicles in a rental program. AQMD’s contribution to this program shall not exceed $200,000. The ARB will co-fund the project with $100,000 in funds and $100,000 in-kind services, and AQMD will act as a pass-through for the ARB funds. Additional cost sharing by the proposer is desired.

COMMITTEE:

Administrative, September 18, 1998; Technology, September 25, 1998, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

1. Recognize $100,000 in revenue from the ARB.

2. Appropriate $100,000 from the Undesignated Fund Balance to the Services and Supplies Major Object, Professional and Special Services Account of the Technology Advancement office.

3. Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with the ARB to co-sponsor demonstration of electric vehicle rental program for an amount not to exceed $100,000, to be passed through to the selected proposer.

4. Approve release of the attached RFP for demonstration of electric vehicle rental program for a total amount not to exceed $300,000.

Barry Wallerstein, D.Env.
Acting Executive Officer

Background

According to the AQMP, a significant portion of the Basin’s emissions inventory is attributed to on-road mobile sources. The AQMD, through its Clean Fuels Program, seeks to develop, demonstrate and commercialize zero- and low-emission technologies in the transportation sector to meet the federal and state air quality standards. The successful commercialization of electric vehicles with the ultimate satisfaction of end users is an important part of this program. In order to accomplish this, visibility and convenient availability of these vehicles to the greatest extent possible are necessary. An electric vehicle rental program will be a positive outreach tool to achieve this goal.

Proposal

Staff proposes to release an RFP to seek assistance in demonstration of electric vehicle rental program. Proposers will be requested to describe how they would accomplish the following major goals:

• Establish a successful electric rental program that will give a large number of the general public the opportunity to experience the benefits and attributes of electric vehicles.

• Provide positive image of electric vehicles for public and policy makers.

• Gain valuable information regarding the use of electric vehicles in rental fleets.

Original equipment manufacturers participation and cost sharing by the proposer will be considered in the final selection process.

Benefits to AQMD

The proposed project is included in the September 1997 update of the Technology Advancement Plan under Projects 97M2-3 "Development and Demonstration of Conductive-Couple Charging Equipment for Electric Vehicles", 97M2-5 "Development of Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Technology", and 97M2-6 "Advanced Electric Vehicle Battery Testing and Demonstration". The AQMP relies on the expedited implementation of advanced technologies and zero-emission vehicles in Southern California to achieve air quality standards. Communities must have the most current and convenient access to available clean technologies if they are to integrate these technologies into their day-to-day operations. Public access through these types of demonstration programs can help increase consumer confidence and acceptability of electric vehicles, and expand the market share of zero emitting vehicles.

In the most recent AQMP, the average emissions from light-duty passenger cars in the South Coast Air Basin for year 2000 are estimated to 225 tons/day VOC, 1,803 tons/day CO, 188 tons/day NOx, 2.1 tons/day SOx, and 4.1 tons/day PM10. The implementation of this demonstration program will help achieve the ARB’s objective for electric vehicles having ten percent of the market share of new light-duty vehicles by year 2003. This will in turn decrease the above emissions inventory proportionally.

Outreach

In accordance with the AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, a public notice advertising the RFP 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 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 RFP 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 and Job Opportunities" icon] and AQMD’s bidder’s 24-hour telephone message line (909) 396-2724.

Bid Evaluation

A panel of technically qualified individuals will evaluate the proposals received, in accordance with the scoring criteria described in attached RFP #9899-12.

Resource Impacts

The total amount of AQMD funding for the proposed RFP shall not exceed $200,000. The ARB will co-fund the project with 100,000 in cash and $100,000 in-kind. The in-kind contribution will consist of five Honda EV Plus vehicles to be used in the rental program for a period of three years. Sufficient funds are available in the FY 1998-99 Budget, from revenues received from the state-mandated Clean Fuels Program. The Clean Fuels Program, under Health and Safety Codes 40448.5 and 40512 and Vehicle Code 9250.11, establishes mechanisms to collect revenues from mobile and stationary sources to support projects to increase the utilization of clean fuels in both sectors, including the development of the necessary advanced enabling technologies. Funds collected from motor vehicles are restricted, by statute, to be used for projects and program activities related to mobile sources that support the objectives of the Clean Fuels Program.

Since the appropriation of funds by the AQMD constitutes a budget supplement within the definition of "Health and Safety Code 40720(j), public notice of this proposed supplement was published in the Los Angeles Daily Journal, Riverside Press Enterprise, Orange County Register, San Bernardino Sun, and the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.

Attachments

RFP #9899-12 - Demonstration of Electric Vehicle Rental Program.
BD:10-98A

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