Back

PROPOSAL:

Issue Purchase Orders for Purchase of Compressed Pure Gases and Cryogenic Liquids, and Establish List of Prequalified Vendors for Purchase of Compressed Mixed Gases

SYNOPSIS:

On February 12, 1999, the Board approved the release of an RFQ to purchase compressed pure gases and cryogenic liquids. At the same meeting, the Board approved the release of a Request for Qualification to prequalify providers of blended mixed gases. Seven bids for compressed pure gases, seven bids for cryogenic liquids, and eight bids for compressed blended gases, were received and evaluated. This action is to issue purchase orders for the purchase of compressed pure gases and cyrogenic liquids, and establish a list of prequalified vendors for the purchase of compressed mixed gases for FY 1999-2000 with an optional extension to cover FY 2000-2001.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, June 25, 1999, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

1. Issue purchase orders with the vendors identified in Attachments 1 and 2 for the purchase of compressed pure gases and cryogenic liquids, at fixed rates which shall be effective for two years for a cumulative amount not to exceed $60,000 per year.

2. Establish list of prequalified vendors with the vendors identified in Attachment 3 for the purchase of compressed blended mixed gases with the cumulative amount not to exceed $70,000 per year.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

On February 12, 1999, the Governing Board released RFQ #2111 to competitively solicit bids for the purchase of compressed pure gases and cryogenic liquids. Request for Qualification (RFQ) #2110 was also released to establish a list of prequalified vendors for the purchase of compressed blended mixed gases. The AQMD Laboratory uses compressed pure gases as carrier gases and purging agents, and cryogenic liquids are used to concentrate samples for gas chromatographic analysis for PAMS and other network samples. Monitoring & Analysis uses blended mixed gases for a wide variety of analytical and monitoring needs.

Proposal

Staff requests that the Board approve issuance of purchase orders with a cumulative amount not to exceed $60,000 for the purchase of compressed pure gases and cryogenic liquids. Orders will be placed with the vendor having the lowest cost quotation, while meeting the delivery requirements specified in the RFQ. Purchase order amounts will be decided based upon the overall cost package submitted and the historical consumption of the various gases and cryogenic liquids. No individual purchase order will exceed $50,000.

Staff also requests that the Board establish a prequalification list for the purchase of compressed mixed gases. At the time of need for such gases, staff will request each qualified vendor to provide a cost quotation. Orders will be issued based upon the best overall cost, quality, and availability as required by AQMD. Total amount of orders is not to exceed $70,000.

Outreach

In accordance with the AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, public notices advertising the RFQs and inviting bids were published in the following publications:

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. These RFQs were 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

One hundred fifty-eight (158) copies of RFQ #2111 and RFQ #2110 were mailed out. Seven proposals were received in response to RFQ #2111 and eight in response to RFQ #2110 when the final bidding closed at 2:00 p.m. on March 26, 1999. The submitted proposals were evaluated based on the evaluation criteria contained in the RFQs. Attachment 1 reflects the price quotations and overall ranking of vendors from whom compressed pure gases will be purchased. Attachment 2 lists the price quotations and overall ranking of vendors from whom cryogenic liquids will be purchased. For the purchase of compressed blended mixed gases, all of the eight responding vendors for RFQ #2110 met the minimum requirements for placement on the list of prequalified vendors, as listed in Attachment 3.

The evaluation panel consisted of four AQMD staff: a Senior Air Quality Chemist, two Air Quality Chemists; and one Laboratory Technician; one Asian/Pacific-Islander, one Caucasian, and two Hispanic; two female and two male. The evaluation process was conducted according to the criteria described in the RFQs.

Resource Impacts

The term of the purchase orders is for the FY 1999-00 with an optional extension to cover FY 2000-2001. The quotations are valid until June 30, 2001. Staff estimates that $60,000 will be needed for the purchase of compressed pure gases and cryogenic liquids, and $70,000 for the purchase of compressed mixed gases. Sufficient funds are available in the FY 1999-2000 Budget. If the option is exercised, this would result in equivalent amounts under the FY 2000-2001 Budget, upon approval by the Board.

Attachments

Attachment 1 – Comparison of Compressed Pure Gas Vendors for FY 1999-2000, RFQ #2111
Attachment 1A – Comparison of Compressed Pure Gas Vendors for FY 2000-2001, RFQ #2111
Attachment 2 – Comparison of Cryogenic Liquids Vendors for FY 1999-2000, RFQ #2111
Attachment 2A – Comparison of Cryogenic Liquids Vendors for FY 2000-2001, RFQ #2111
Attachment 3 – Prequalification List for Compressed Mixed Gases Vendors for FY 1999-2000 and FY 2000-2001, RFQ #2110

/ / /