Back

PROPOSAL:

Execute Contracts to Cosponsor School Clean Fuels Outreach Projects

SYNOPSIS:

In October 1998, the AQMD released Program Opportunity Notice (PON) #9899-A, entitled, School Clean Fuels Projects, to solicit proposals from academic institutions for projects to develop and demonstrate clean alternative fuel applications for on- and off-road vehicles. A portion of PON funding has been allocated for clean fuels outreach projects, such as co-sponsorship of specific events, student competitions, and other outreach efforts. Staff proposes to cosponsor additional projects under the PON, for which total costs are approximately $236,300. AQMD cost-share will not exceed $67,479.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, March 26, 1999, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

1. Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with California State University, Los Angeles, for a school and community visitation program to present the Solar Eagle III solar electric vehicle, in an amount not to exceed $37,497.
2. Authorize the Executive Officer to execute a contract with Covina-Valley Unified School District/Northview High School, to be used towards building a solar car for student competitions, in an amount not to exceed $5,000.
3. Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with the University of California, Riverside, College of Engineering-Center for Environmental Research and Technology, for the 1999 Ethanol Vehicle Challenge, in an amount not to exceed $24,982.

 Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Historically, funding from the AQMD Clean Fuels Program has been made available to educational institutions (high schools, community colleges, colleges, and universities) for projects to develop and demonstrate clean alternative fuel applications for on- and off-road vehicles.

On October 21, 1998, Program Opportunity Notice (PON) #9899-A, entitled, School Clean Fuels Projects, was released. Under the PON, a total of $1,200,000 was allocated for school clean fuels projects, as follows: (1) Research Projects. $1,000,000 for research projects focusing on clean alternative fuels for on- and off-road motor vehicles; and (2) Clean Fuels Outreach Projects. $200,000 for co-sponsorship of specific events, student competitions, and other outreach efforts focusing on increasing the utilization of clean alternative fuels in on- and off-road vehicle applications.

The due date for Research Project pre-proposals was January 6, 1999. Clean Fuels Outreach Project proposals were due on March 2, 1999. Submittals received under the two portions of the PON were evaluated separately. As a result, Research Project and Clean Fuels Outreach Project recommendations are addressed in separate Board letters.

Outreach

PON #9899-A was placed on the Internet at AQMD’s Web site [http:www.aqmd.gov, "Business and Job Opportunities" icon] and was distributed by way of direct mail. The PON was mailed directly to 222 California community colleges, University of California, and California State University campuses. Over 270 private colleges and universities in California were also provided the PON. For public high schools, the PON was mailed to the California Department of Education, Los Angeles County Office of Education, Orange County Department of Education, Riverside County Office of Education, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, as well as the five largest school districts, as determined by 1997 enrollment data, in each of the four counties in AQMD’s jurisdiction. The PON was also distributed to educational institutions that have previously been awarded contracts under the Clean Fuels Program.

On February 12, 1999, a letter soliciting Clean Fuels Outreach Projects submittals was faxed to all school districts in AQMD’s jurisdiction. This communication was attached to the smog episode information that is distributed daily to Basin schools.

Bid Evaluation

A total of five Clean Fuels Outreach Project proposals were received before the March 2, 1999 closing date specified in PON #9899-A, as follows: (1) California State University, Los Angeles, Solar Eagle III Outreach Effort; (2) Green Car Institute, Museum Interactive Display; (3) Covina-Valley Unified School District / Northview High School, Cosponsor Solar Car Team; (4) El Monte Union High School District / South El Monte High School, Cosponsor Solar Electric Bicycle Program; and (5) University of California, Riverside, College of Engineering-Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT), 1999 Ethanol Vehicle Challenge.

Following staff evaluation, proposals (1), (3), (4), and (5) were considered for funding on the basis of compliance with selection criteria contained in the PON. Proposals (1), (3) and (5) are described in greater detail in the following sections.

For proposal (4), co-funding in the amount of $5,710 was approved by the Executive Officer on January 10, 1999. In late October 1998, South El Monte High School submitted its Clean Fuels Outreach Project proposal under the PON. Funding was requested for design and construction of two solar electric bicycles for Solar BikeRayce USA, a national competition to be held in May 1999. Staff requested Executive Officer approval of funding for a number of reasons: (1) PON #9899-A contains provisions specifying that Clean Fuels Outreach Project proposals would be reviewed upon receipt for consideration of award; (2) South El Monte High School needed to complete the bicycles as soon as possible to allow adequate training time for the May 1999 competition; and (3) Executive Officer approval is consistent with the level of funds involved.

Proposal (2) was not considered for funding under this PON because Green Car Institute is not an academic institution. Green Car Institute has proposed to design, implement, and install an interactive display at the Petersen Automotive Museum, and potentially a children’s museum in the AQMD’s jurisdiction, which shows the development and use of alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., electric, bi-fuel, hybrid, fuel cell, and other clean fuels). The overall objective of the project would be to foster the understanding, acceptance, and adoption of alternative fuel vehicles and clean fuels by American motorists through the use of an interactive educational module. Although not eligible for funding under this PON, the proposal may be considered by AQMD in the future because of its emphasis on developing a children’s museum outreach program, which is consistent with the Children’s Air Quality Agenda adopted by the Governing Board on January 8, 1999.

Proposals

California State University, Los Angeles, Solar Eagle III Outreach Effort. The Solar Eagle III is a solar powered car designed and built by students, faculty, and staff at Cal State L.A.’s School of Engineering and Technology. The Solar Eagle III, which won first place at Sunrayce 97, the national collegiate competition, was built using AQMD co-funding. Cal State L.A. proposes to develop and implement a school/community visitation program featuring the Solar Eagle III to elementary, middle and secondary school students, community college students, and Southern California community members from September 1999 through May 2000. The intent of the proposed outreach program is to use the Solar Eagle III to illustrate the possibilities of alternative fuels, particularly solar-powered electricity, the feasibility of designing and building an alternative fuel vehicle as a student or professional, and the role modern engineers can play in future development of zero-emission transportation. In addition, presentation materials will address general issues of solar power, emissions control, and alternative fuels.

Covina-Valley Unified School District/Northview High School, Cosponsor Solar Car Team. Northview High School’s Solar Car Team is in the process of developing and building an advanced solar racing vehicle for the 1999 Winston Solar Challenge, the only high school level solar car race in the world. Specifically, the Solar Car Team is seeking co-funding for hardware (e.g., solar, drive system, and chassis components), race costs, and vehicle testing costs. In 1997, AQMD provided co-funding to the program for an earlier generation vehicle that went on to win second place in the 1997 and 1998 Winston Solar Challenges.

University of California, Riverside, CE-CERT, 1999 Ethanol Vehicle Challenge. Ethanol is a clean-burning fuel that can be derived from renewable energy sources, such as waste from agricultural operations, cheese processing, and brewing. TEAM CE-CERT, a student organization at UCR, has been selected to participate in the 1999 Ethanol Vehicle Challenge, in which a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck will be converted to dedicated operation on E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline). The team will be judged on emissions, fuel economy, vehicle performance, overall design, and technical presentation. The competition will be held in May 1999. AQMD previously provided co-funding for TEAM CE-CERT’s vehicle entry in the 1998 Ethanol Vehicle Challenge, which finished fourth overall, as well as its entry in the 1997 Propane Vehicle Challenge.

Benefits to AQMD

The PON process is described in the Technology Advancement Plan, originally adopted by the Governing Board on March 8, 1996 and referenced in subsequent Plan updates. PONs provide the following benefits to AQMD: (1) exposure to new, emerging technologies on which there is limited public information; and (2) identification of new sources of prospective bidders for AQMD competitive solicitations. PON #9899-A provides additional benefits to AQMD: (1) funding opportunities for promising academic institutions; (2) stimulates interest in AQMD clean air programs; (3) assistance in AQMD public outreach efforts; and (4) support towards implementation of the Children’s Air Quality Agenda.

Sole Source Justification

Section VIII.B.2 of the Procurement Policy and Procedure identifies four major provisions under which a sole source award may be justified. This request for sole source awards is made under provision B.2.d.(8): Research and development effort with educational institutions or nonprofit organizations. The contracts recommended for award are clean fuels research and outreach efforts submitted by three local institutions, including the University of California, Riverside College of Environmental Research and Technology, California State University, Los Angeles, and Covina Valley Unified School District/Northview High School.

Resource Impacts

Total cost to the AQMD for the three proposed projects is $67,479. The combined total cost for the projects is around $236,300. A more detailed breakdown is as follows:

California State University, Los Angeles, Solar Eagle III Outreach Effort. Total cost to the AQMD for the proposed project is $37,497. Cal State L.A. has committed $50,464. Total project cost is $87,961.

Covina-Valley Unified School District/Northview High School, Cosponsor Solar Car Team. Total cost to the AQMD for the proposed project is $5,000. To date, the Northview Solar Car Team has raised funding of around $14,500 and is working to raise an additional $3,820. Total project cost is $23,320.

University of California, Riverside, CE-CERT, 1999 Ethanol Vehicle Challenge. Total cost to the AQMD for the proposed project is $24,982. General Motors Corporation has committed $37,437 and CE-CERT is seeking additional co-funding totaling around $62,600. CE-CERT has committed to cover any fund raising shortfalls using UCR educational funds and CE-CERT internal research funds. Total project cost is approximately $125,000.

These projects are to be funded from the FY 1998-99 Budget. 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.

/ / /