BOARD MEETING DATE: July 9, 1999 AGENDA NO. 8
PROPOSAL:
Issue Request for Qualifications for Technical Assistance for Advanced, Low- and Zero-Emission Transportation and Stationary Source Pollution Control Technologies
SYNOPSIS:
The Request for Qualifications will solicit statements of qualifications from individuals and organizations potentially capable of providing technical assistance in a variety of specialized areas to support AQMP development and Technology Advancement activities. It is anticipated that multiple awards for level-of-effort contracts will be made from this solicitation. Sufficient funds are available from the Clean Fuels Fund to support this work in an amount not to exceed $150,000.
COMMITTEE:
Technology, June 25, 1999, Recommended for Approval
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Approve the release of the attached Request for Qualifications for technical assistance for advanced, low- and zero-emission transportation and stationary source pollution control technologies.
Barry Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
The Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) is the comprehensive regional plan for attaining federal air quality standards in the South Coast Air Basin. In addition to full implementation of current technologies and management practices, near-term advances in current technologies and technological breakthroughs are needed. Air quality projections indicate that the federal standard for ozone is not expected to be met without such breakthroughs. Regular revisions to the AQMP are based on the most current information on technology advancements.
In 1988, the Governing Board adopted a Clean Fuels Program and formed the Technology Advancement (TA) Office to administer and manage the program. The TA program is a far-reaching effort, incorporating a mix of short-, medium-, and long-term goals, representing a three-tiered approach to achieve clean air in the Basin. As a result, the breadth of the TA program includes demonstrations of nearly commercial technologies as well as support for research studies of technologies to be developed. The scope of the TA program also considers all potential sources of air pollution emissions in the Basin, including both stationary and mobile sources.
Request For Qualifications
Staff recommends that the Board approve the proposed Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for technical assistance to the Technology Advancement program. Staff proposes to update the list of qualified contractors to ensure that the AQMD acquires the best expertise available. The RFQ will solicit statements of qualifications from individuals and organizations potentially capable of providing technical assistance in a variety of areas to support 1997 AQMP implementation and TA activities. Services to be performed include: assistance in preparation of AQMP control measures; technical assistance for feasibility studies of stationary and mobile emission control technologies; emissions assessment of new alternative-fuel technologies; evaluation of innovative emissions control systems; VOC control; coating reformulation and curing; assessment of economic, regulatory and technical barriers to the commercialization of clean fuels and advanced technologies; and other activities as needed. In each case, it will first be ascertained whether the work can be performed in-house.
The qualifications sought will cover the breadth of the TA program. Each consultant selected shall have proven expertise in at least one of the following areas: air pollution formation and control; toxic air contaminants and their potential formation from alternative fuels; health and safety issues related to new technologies; federal, state and local environmental regulations; stationary source control technologies, fuel reformulation; electric vehicle technologies; fuel cells; clean fuel processing; refueling infrastructure development; automobile, transit bus, and truck emission control technologies; off-road vehicles and equipment, including marine and construction equipment and locomotives; and other technology areas that may be identified in the future.
Bid Evaluation
Consultants will be selected through an open bidding process according to AQMD's Consultant Selection Policy and Proposals. Successful bidders shall be retained by level-of-effort contracts; therefore work assignments can be issued for specific needs and projects without requiring lengthy consultant selection processes for each individual project. It is anticipated that multiple awards for level-of-effort contracts will be made from this solicitation.
The total amount of AQMD funding for the level-of-effort contracts will not exceed $150,000, with the amount of funding allocated to each contract dependent upon the consultant's qualifications and AQMD needs. Sufficient funds are available from the Clean Fuels Fund, established as a special revenue fund resulting from the state-mandated Clean Fuels Program. The Clean Fuels Program, under Health and Safety Code Sections 40448.5 and 40512 and Vehicle Code 9250.11, establishes mechanisms to collect revenues from mobile sources and stationary sources to support projects to increase the utilization of clean fuels, 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.
RFQ #2119 - Technical Assistance for Advanced, Low- and Zero-Emission Transportation and Stationary Source Pollution Control Technologies
BD19:7-99C
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