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PROPOSAL:

Execute Contract for Data Collection to Track Effectiveness of Voluntary Ridesharing and Other Emission Reduction Activities Among Employers Exempted from Rule 2202

SYNOPSIS:

Tracking the effectiveness of voluntary ridesharing and other emission reduction measures among employers exempted from Rule 2202 - On-Road Motor Vehicle Mitigation Options is essential to estimate the magnitude of the emission reduction shortfall and how it changes over time. On July 10, 1998, an RFP was released to seek a qualified contractor to collect the necessary survey data to estimate the emission reduction shortfall for the year 1998. The proposals received have been evaluated, and this action is to execute a contract with Haug International, in an amount not to exceed $79,240. The funds for this contract are included in the FY 1998-99 Budget.

COMMITTEE:

Mobile Source, August 28, 1998, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Haug International to collect survey data from deregulated employers and their employees, at a cost not to exceed $79,240.

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

Background

The study required by Senate Bill 836 (Lewis) to assess the effectiveness of voluntary ridesharing and other Rule 2202 replacement measures was conducted during fall 1997, then completed and released to the public on March 18, 1998. The study results showed that air quality benefits produced by voluntary trip and emission reduction efforts were not equivalent to what had been expected had unregulated worksites of 100-249 employees continued to be subject to Rule 2202. As stipulated in SB 836, failure to meet emission reduction equivalency required these employers to be brought back into the Rule by June 1, 1998.

Subsequently, Senator Lewis introduced SB 432, which amended SB 836 to exempt these worksites from Rule 2202 permanently. This bill was approved by the legislature, and was signed into law by the Governor on June 19, 1998. As an outcome of this new law, the permanent deregulation of smaller employers will lead to an emission reduction deficit in the SCAB. Thus, tracking the effectiveness of voluntary ridesharing and other measures among deregulated employers is essential to estimate the magnitude of the emission reduction deficit and how it changes over time.

On July 10, 1998, RFP #98-9901 was released to seek a qualified contractor to conduct surveys of deregulated employers. The purpose of the surveys is to collect information on the travel behavior of employees and to determine the use of emission reduction strategies at their worksites. This information will be compared with similar data collected in 1996 and 1997 to determine the magnitude of the emission reduction shortfall in 1998, if any.

Proposal Evaluation

A total of four proposals was received by the deadline of August 11, 1998. All proposals submitted were reviewed according to the selection criteria described in the RFP. Using the two-step evaluation process outlined in the RFP, the panel reviewed the proposals and evaluated them on the bidder's ability to perform the services specified in the RFP. Proposals were first evaluated using technical criteria. Proposals scoring on average fewer than 70 points in Step 1 were technically disqualified and did not advance to Step 2. In Step 2 of the evaluation process, proposals were evaluated using "cost and other factors." The latter included DVBE designation. The resulting total scores, for those firms with more than 70 points after Step 1 are summarized in Attachment 1.

The four proposals received in response to the RFP have been thoroughly evaluated and staff recommends that the contract be awarded to Haug International, the consultant submitting the highest scoring proposal, for an amount not to exceed $79,240.

The evaluation panel was comprised of one woman and three men, and included two AQMD staff from Transportation Programs; one employee of the City of Los Angeles; and one employee from the Southern California Association of Governments. The panel's ethnicity was as follows: one African American, one Asian/Pacific Islander, one Caucasian, and one Hispanic.

Outreach

In accordance with the AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, a public notice advertising the RFP and inviting bids was published in the following publications:

1. Antelope Valley Press	13. Los Angeles Sentinel
2. The Black Voice News	14. Los Angeles Times
3. Chinese Daily News	15. M/W/DVBE Source
4. Eastern Group Publications	16. Orange County Register
5. El Chicano	17. Palm Springs Desert Sun
6. The Excelsior	18. Philippine News
7. Inland Empire Hispanic News	19. Precinct Reporter
8. Inland Valley Daily Bulletin	20. Rafu Shimpo
9. Korea Central Daily	21. Riverside Press Enterprise
10. La Opinion	22. San Bernardino Sun
11. La Voz	23. Santa Clarita Signal
12. Los Angeles Daily News	24. State of California Contracts Register.

Additionally, potential bidders were identified through Los Angeles County MTA and Caltrans Directories of Certified Minority, Women, Disadvantaged and Disabled Veterans Business Enterprises; the Inland Area Opportunity Pages Ethnic/Women Business & Professional Directory; the AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors; and AQMD Purchasing’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 were placed on the Internet at AQMD’s Web site [http://www.aqmd.gov, "Business and Job Opportunities" icon] and on AQMD’s 24-hour telephone message line for bidders (909) 396-2724.

On July 28, 1998, a non-mandatory Bidders' Conference was convened at AQMD to discuss the RFP and to answer questions from the ten prospective bidders attending the Conference.

Resource Impact

Sufficient funding for this data collection contract is available in the FY 1998-99 Budget.

Attachments

Evaluation Summary for Proposals Responding to RFP #98-9901

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