BOARD MEETING DATE: January 8, 1999 AGENDA NO. 14




PROPOSAL:

Establish List of Prequalified Vendors to Provide Supplemental Source Testing Services

SYNOPSIS:

On October 9, 1998, the Board approved the release of an RFQ for supplemental source testing services. This action is to establish a list of prequalified source testing firms to supplement AQMD emissions testing and the development of test protocols and/or test methods, as needed, for a one-year period. Funding for this project ($100,000) is included in the FY 1998-99 Budget.

COMMITTEE:

Administrative, December 18, 1998, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve the list of prequalified vendors for supplemental source testing services listed in Attachment A for a one-year period.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer


Background

On October 9, 1998, the Governing Board approved the release of Request for Qualifications (RFQ) #2101 to establish a list of prequalified source testing firms from which supplemental services will be purchased over a one-year period. Once established, the list will be used to contract with vendors to perform source tests in Los Angeles, Orange, and those portions of Riverside and San Bernardino counties subject to AQMD rules and regulations, and to provide technical assistance to AQMD in developing, documenting, and writing test protocols and/or test methods to support AQMD regulatory programs.

The annual expenditures for these services are not to exceed $100,000. Expenditures will be used to augment the AQMD source testing capability during periods when existing staff cannot adequately meet agency testing needs. The AQMD will seek bids on a per-task or per-set-of-tasks basis from the established prequalified vendor list. Tasks may include, but are not limited to, the following: conducting source emission tests independently on AQMD-specified pollutants; assisting AQMD in conducting source emissions tests under on-site direction by AQMD staff; assisting AQMD in developing, documenting, and writing source test protocols to address BACT determination, equipment certification, or rule development, and assisting AQMD in revising source test methods to better reflect current technology and practice. For each task, or set of tasks, the AQMD will use the prequalified vendor with the lowest cost that also meets the criteria and objectives for that task or set of tasks, including time limitations. This process assures both a rapid response to AQMD needs and overall cost savings.

Outreach

In accordance with the AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, a public notice advertising the RFQ and inviting bids was 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

Individuals and vendors 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, the AQMD’s certified minority vendors and Purchasing’s mailing list, and the Black and Latino Legislative Caucuses and various minority chambers of commerce and business associations were also notified of this RFQ via direct mail. This RFQ was placed on the Internet at AQMD’s Web site [http://www.aqmd.gov,"Business & Job Opportunities" icon], and advertised on the AQMD’s bidder 24-hour telephone message line.

Bid Evaluation

Two hundred twenty-seven (227) copies of the RFQ were mailed out. Eight proposals were received in response to the RFQ when final bidding closed at 2:00 p.m. on November 13, 1998. The submitted proposals were evaluated based on the evaluation criteria contained in the RFQ. All eight responding vendors met the minimum qualifications for placement on the list of prequalified vendors for supplemental source testing services. Attachment A reflects the list of bidders and those recommended for prequalification to provide supplemental source testing services.

The evaluation panel consisted of one female and three males; one Asian/Pacific Islander, two Caucasian, and one Hispanic. The evaluation process was conducted according to the criteria described in the RFQ.

Resource Impacts
Sufficient funds have been appropriated in the FY 1998-99 Budget.

Attachments
Bidder List and Recommendation for Prequalification for Supplemental Source Testing Services – RFQ #2101

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