Back

PROPOSAL:

Execute Contract for Temporary Engineering Services

SYNOPSIS:

On November 13, 1998, the Board approved the release of an RFP to select contractors to assist with permit processing when needed to respond to temporary work load increases. A panel has reviewed the proposals submitted in response to the RFP and recommends executing a contract with Air Quality Specialists, Inc. Funding for these services, $155,000 has been allocated in the FY 1998-99 Budget.

COMMITTEE:

Stationary Source, March 19, 1999 Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute contract with Air Quality Specialists, Inc., for a total amount not to exceed $155,000 to assist in processing permits and provide services, as needed. Funding for the second and third years is contingent upon board approval of subsequent fiscal year budgets.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Programs like the initial three-year phase-in of Title V federal operating permits increase the number of permit applications that need to be processed beyond the normal workload. In order to effectively respond to this increased workload and still maintain reasonable permit processing time frames it is necessary to augment existing staff resources with outside engineering services. The Governing Board had previously approved two temporary engineering services contracts in January 1997. Under these contracts, 763 permits were processed which allowed staff time to prepare the Group A Title V permits. These contracts ended in December 1998.

Proposal

In accordance with the AQMD’s Consultant Selection Policy and Procedure, a public notice inviting proposals was published in the California State Contracts Register, Chinese News, Eastern Group Publications, El Chicano, Hispanic News, Inland Empire Hispanic News, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Korea Central Daily, La Opinion, La Voz, Los Angeles Sentinel, Los Angeles Times, M/W/DVBE Source, Orange County Register, Philippine News, Precinct Reporter, Rafu Shimpo, Riverside Press-Enterprise, San Bernardino Sun, The Black Voice News, and The Excelsior. Copies of the RFPs were also sent to the Black and Latino Legislative Caucuses and interested minority contractors/professional associations and vendors listed in the Los Angeles County, MTA, Cal Trans, and Inland Area MBE/WBE directories. Further, the RFP was placed on the AQMD’s Internet home page and bidders’ 24-hour telephone message line.

A total of 32 RFPs were mailed in response to direct noticing and advertisement of the proposed RFP. Four proposals were submitted. The proposals were reviewed by a four-person (two female and two male) panel composed of one AQMD Senior Manager and three Senior Engineers. The panel’s ethnicity consisted of two Asians and two Caucasians.

Of the 4 proposals submitted, two failed at the technical level. The evaluation results for the two bidders that passed the technical level are as follows:

The selection criteria used to rank the proposals included: responsiveness to the RFP; technical merit/understanding of the AQ permit process/past experience; project organization and management; qualifications, references, assigned personnel; cost and time effectiveness; and local business designation. Based on the limited funding earmarked for this pilot program and the staff resources that must be invested with each company, staff recommends one company be selected. Therefore, based on the RFP criteria, the firm of Air Quality Specialists, Inc. is recommended to the Board to perform this work.

Air Quality Specialists, Inc. will remain qualified for a period of three years. As the need arises, AQMD staff will issue a firm fixed-price task order or time-and-material task order to the company to perform permitting related work. This bidding and pre-qualification process ensures that the AQMD can quickly obtain engineering services to adequately respond to a work load "spike" in the most cost-effective manner.

Resource Impacts:

A total of $155,000 has been budgeted for contract Permit Processing Assistance, and this action will not increase the AQMD’s overall 1998-99 budget or Stationary Source Compliance’s contract budget.

/ / /