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PROPOSAL:

Execute Contracts for Technical Assistance for Advanced Transportation and Stationary Source Pollution Control Technologies

SYNOPSIS:

In July 1999, the AQMD issued a Request for Qualifications to obtain qualifications from potential consultants who could provide technical assistance pertaining to advanced, low- and zero-emission transportation technologies for the Clean Fuels Program. This action is to request approval to award six contracts under the RFQ. Total amount of funding requested will not exceed $145,000.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, October 22, 1999, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

1. Authorize the Executive Officer to execute a contract with Engine, Fuel, and Emissions Engineering, Inc., to provide technical assistance pertaining to the development of alternative fuel engines and assessment of emission benefits of alternative fuel strategies for mobile sources and locomotives, in an amount not to exceed $20,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

2. Authorize the Executive Officer to execute a contract with USA Pro, for technical assistance in the development and commercialization of natural gas engines, vehicles, and fueling facilities, in an amount not to exceed $30,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

3. Authorize the Executive Officer to execute a contract with GE Energy and Environmental Research Corporation, for technical assistance primarily pertaining to advanced combustion systems and stationary source NO_x control technologies, in an amount not to exceed $20,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

4. Authorize the Executive Officer to execute a contract with Murray Katz, for technical assistance pertaining to fuel cell development and commercialization, in an amount not to exceed $20,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

5. Authorize the Executive Officer to execute a contract with Breakthrough Technologies Institute, Inc., for technical assistance in the development and commercialization of zero- and low-emission technologies, including fuel cells and alternative fuel strategies, in an amount not to exceed $35,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

6. Authorize the Executive Officer to execute a contract with Michael Walsh to provide technical assistance relating to the use of alternative fuels in mobile sources internationally, in an amount not to exceed $20,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

Barry R. 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 will not be met without such breakthroughs.

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 considers all potential sources of air pollution emissions in the Basin, including stationary and mobile sources.

At the July 12, 1999, meeting, the Governing Board approved Request for Qualifications (RFQ) #2119 for technical assistance to the Technology Advancement program. The purpose of that RFQ was to update the list of qualified technical assistance contractors to ensure that the AQMD acquires the best expertise available. The RFQ solicited statements of qualifications from individuals and organizations potentially capable of providing technical assistance in preparation of AQMP control measures; and 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.

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

Additionally, potential bidders were notified 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; AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors; and AQMD Purchasing’s mailing list. Notice of the RFQ was mailed to the Black and Latino Legislative Caucuses and various minority chambers of commerce and business associations; and placed on the Internet at AQMD’s Web site [http://www.aqmd.gov, "Business and Job Opportunities" icon] and AQMD’s bidder’s 24-hour telephone message line (909) 396-2724.

Selection Process

Fifteen proposals were received in response to the RFQ. The proposals were reviewed and scored by three members of the Science and Technology Advancement staff. Comprising the panelists were two Planning and Rules Managers and one Science & Technology Advancement Assistant DEO; one female and two males; three Caucasian. Six contractors were selected, based on evaluation of expertise and its relationship to the needs of the Clean Fuels Program and cost and availability of the proposer. Proposers and scores, in rank order, are as follows:

Mobile Technologies Proposals

 

Proposer	Score
USA Pro*	100
Murray Katz*	94
Michael Walsh*	93.5
Breakthrough Technologies*	90.5
Engine, Fuel and Emissions Engineering*	91.2
The ADEPT Group, Inc.	90
Glyn Short	78
ARCADIS (mobile technologies)	76
Eskra Technical Products	74
Polydyne	69.5
Jack Faucett Associates	59

Stationary Technologies Proposals

 

GE-Energy & Environmental Research Corp.*	80.5
ARCADIS (stationary technologies)	72.5
Conservation Technology	70
Polydyne	69.5
Battelle	68.5
Jack Faucett Associates	59
Clean Fuel Connection	55

* Awardees

Proposal

Staff proposes to award level-of-effort contracts to six individuals and companies to provide technical expertise to the Clean Fuels Program on an as-needed basis. The proposed contractors, including areas of expertise, are described in the following paragraphs.

Engine, Fuel, and Emissions Engineering, Inc. will provide technical assistance pertaining to the development of alternative fuel engines, and assessment of emission benefits of alternative fuel strategies for mobile sources and locomotives, in an amount not to exceed $20,000. EEFE was founded in 1990 by its President, Christopher Weaver. Mr. Weaver has an international reputation in mobile source emissions issues. The company has provided technical assistance in support of vehicle emission regulations and legislation, and the environmental impacts of alternative fuel vehicles throughout the world. Areas of special expertise include natural gas vehicles, vehicle emissions testing and measurement, vehicle inspection and maintenance programs, heavy-duty trucks and buses, locomotives and construction equipment.

USA Pro, and its President Gary Pope, is recognized for its expertise in natural gas engines, vehicles, and fueling facilities. In particular, Mr. Pope has expertise in the design of liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueling facilities. He is well versed in state and local codes, and has established relationships with the major engine and chassis manufacturers. Staff recommends awarding a contract to USA Pro in an amount not to exceed $30,000.

GE Energy and Environmental Research Corporation is recognized for its expertise in advanced combustion technologies, including fuel processing and reforming, the formation and control of combustion generated pollutants, stationary source NO_x control technologies, and hazardous waste destruction. Its expertise ranges from fundamental understanding of combustion processes, pollutant formation and control to the development, implementation, and commercialization of advanced combustion systems. The company has also provided technical assistance and its expertise to local, state, and federal agencies and international organizations. Staff recommends award of a level-of-effort contract to GE Energy and Environmental Research Corporation for technical assistance primarily pertaining to advanced combustion systems and stationary source NO_x control technologies, in an amount not to exceed $20,000.

Murray Katz is an independent engineering consultant. Mr. Katz has 40 years of experience in fuel cell technology, ranging from development of fuel cell electrode designs for the space industry to design, development and fabrication of fuel cell stacks. Staff recommends award of a level-of-effort contract to Murray Katz for technical assistance pertaining to fuel cell development and commercialization, in an amount not to exceed $20,000.

Breakthrough Technologies Institute, Inc., has established policy-level relationships with government and the private sector throughout the United States in the area of zero- and low-emission technologies. The firm has particular expertise in the development and commercialization of fuel cell technologies. The principal of the firm is Robert Rose, who also serves in the capacity of Executive Director of the US Fuel Cell Council. Staff recommends award of a contract to Breakthrough Technologies Institute, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $35,000.

Michael Walsh is a recognized international expert in the area of mobile source emission controls. Mr. Walsh is a member of the AQMD’s SB-98 Clean Fuels Advisory Group. Staff recommends award of a contract to Mr. Walsh in an amount not to exceed $20,000.

Benefits to AQMD

AQMD’s Clean Fuels Program has supported the development and demonstration of low emission, alternative fuel technologies since its inception in 1988. The broad range of technologies being developed, from alternative fuel cars to fuel cells, requires that the AQMD have access to specific expertise on an as-needed basis. The proposed level-of-effort contracts will provide this access. They will be utilized on a task order basis, and only after it is determined that the information or expertise required is not available in-house.

Resource Impacts

These contracts are included in the November 1998 Technology Advancement Plan under category 98TT-1, Assessment of Advanced Technologies and Information Dissemination. Total amount proposed for the level-of-effort contracts is $145,000. Sufficient funds are available from the Clean Fuels Program 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 Section 9250.11, establishes mechanisms to collect revenues from mobile 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.

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