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PROPOSAL:

Issue RFP to Provide Outreach Assistance to Basin Cities Regarding Low-Emission, Clean Fuel Vehicle Technologies

SYNOPSIS:

According to the AQMP, on-road mobile sources account for 60 percent of the Basin’s emissions inventory. The Clean Fuels Program supports programs to develop and demonstrate low-emission clean fuels technologies to commercialization. This action is to issue an RFP to solicit proposals for assistance in providing information to Basin communities on the status of low-emission, clean fuel vehicle technologies. Total cost to the AQMD will not exceed $100,000.

COMMITTEE:

Technology Committee, August 28, 1998. Vice Chair Leonard Paulitz and Roy Wilson communicated their concurrence. Mobile Source, August 28, 1998, Recommended for Approval.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve release of RFP #9899-06 to provide assistance in providing information to Basin communities on the status of low-emission clean fuel vehicle technologies. Total cost to the AQMD will not exceed $100,000.

Barry Wallerstein, D.Env.
Acting Executive Officer

Background

According to the AQMP, over 60 percent of the Basin’s emissions inventory can be attributed to on-road mobile sources. To attain air quality standards, the AQMP relies on the implementation of low-emission, clean fuel technologies throughout the Basin’s mobile sector. The AQMD’s Clean Fuels Program seeks to develop, demonstrate and commercialize low-emission clean fuel technologies in the transportation sector. An important element of the program is technology transfer and outreach to the potential users of these technologies.

Since 1996, the AQMD has sponsored an outreach effort to Basin cities. This effort has focussed on improving communication among identified "Leadership Cities" and DOE-designated Clean Cities; and introducing and informing all communities in the Basin of the status and availability of low-emission, clean fuel vehicle technologies.

Proposal

Staff proposes to release an RFP to seek assistance in continuing the above-described outreach program. Proposers will be requested to describe how they would design and implement a minimum of six workshops or forums as follows:

• Workshop(s) targeted to public and private transit and school bus operators in the Basin. The purpose of these workshops is to inform transit and school bus operators of available and near-term clean fuel technologies, and possible funding assistance available to purchase low-emission, clean fuel vehicles.

• Forums/workshops targeted to Leadership and Clean Cities. These workshops would each have two purposes: (1) provide a forum for the identified Leadership and Clean Cities to share with each other their experiences with clean fuel vehicles, and (2) provide an informational forum highlighting available and emerging clean fuel technologies. Each workshop should focus on a limited number of technologies in order to fully cover each one. Workshops may include a "Ride ’n Drive" and/or vehicle display.

In addition, proposers will be expected to describe how they can provide on-call technical support to the AQMD’s efforts to provide assistance to local jurisdictions in support of the AB 2766 Subvention Fund Program.

Benefits to AQMD

The proposed project is included in the September 1997 update of the Technology Advancement Plan under Project 97TT-1, "Assessment of Advanced Technologies and Information Dissemination." The AQMP relies on the expedited implementation of advanced technologies and clean-burning fuels in Southern California to achieve air quality standards. Communities must have the most current information on available mobile technologies if they are to integrate these technologies into their day-to-day operations. These outreach efforts expedite the implementation of low-emission clean fuel technologies.

Although the proposed project will have no direct emissions reductions, it is an important element in expanding the use of low-emission, clean fuel technologies in the Basin. Previous outreach efforts have illustrated the need and desire for cities to participate in these forums and workshops. The last workshop sponsored by AQMD under the prior outreach program attracted approximately 140 persons, with representation ranging from fleet managers to policymakers and elected officials. These types of meetings provide a cost-effective way to continue to keep Basin communities well informed of their clean fuel vehicle options for future procurements.

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 diverse panel of technically qualified individuals will evaluate the proposals received, in accordance with the scoring criteria described in attached RFP #9899-06.

Resource Impacts

The total amount of AQMD funding for the proposed RFP will not exceed $100,000. 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 Code Sections 40448.5 and 40512 and Vehicle Code Section 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.

Attachments

RFP #9899-06, Outreach Assistance to Basin Cities Regarding Low-Emission, Clean Fuel Vehicle Technologies

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