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PROPOSAL: 

Execute Contract to Purchase Private Data Network Services to Support the Emissions Reporting System

SYNOPSIS: 

On August 13, 1999, AQMD released an RFP to select vendors capable of providing Private Data Network (PDN) services to support the telecommunication and data processing needs associated with the District's electronic Emission Reporting System (ERS) requirements for RECLAIM. This action is to issue a purchase order to NDC eCommerce to perform annual PDN services for a total amount of $75,000. Funds for this purchase are available in the FY 1999-00 Budget.

COMMITTEE: 

Administrative, October 15, 1999, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the purchase of Private Data Network services to support the Emissions Reporting System from NDC eCommerce for a total amount of $75,000.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

On September 12, 1997, the Board approved a contract with Contract Global Payment Systems (now NDC eCommerce) to provide services to support the telecommunications and data processing requirements associated with the Emission Reporting System (ERS) for RECLAIM. The contract expired in September 1999 and current service is month to month.

ERS provides state-of-the-art methodologies to streamline the electronic reporting of emission data from RECLAIM facilities. The system incorporates a Private Data Network (PDN) service to provide the telecommunication and data processing requirements associated with electronic reporting. RFP #9900-03 was released to solicit vendors capable of providing this specialized service. The provider selected will accept RECLAIM related data from RTUs, Transaction Management Devices, PCs, Workstations, and mainframe computers located at the 350 RECLAIM facilities. A service agreement for a term of one year with the option to extend for one additional year will be purchased.

Outreach

In accordance with the AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, a public notice advertising the RFQ (RFP) 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 identified using 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. Notices of the RFP/RFQ were 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 24-hour telephone message line for bidders (909) 396-2724.

Bid Evaluation

Forty copies of the RFP were mailed out and six vendors attended the bidders conference held on August 31, 1999. Three bids were received in response to the RFP when final bidding closed at 5:00 p.m. on September 14, 1999. Of the five bids, one was from a disabled veteran-owned business enterprise, and none were from women-owned, certified minority-owned, or non-certified minority-owned business enterprises.

Attachment 1 reflects the evaluation of the proposals and the respective ratings for contracts. The evaluation committee rated NDC eCommerce the highest and recommends it for contract award. The NDC eCommerce bid was also the lowest cost proposal received.

Panel Composition

The panel consisted of five staff from Information Management: a Technology Implementation Manager, a Program Supervisor, a Computer Operations Supervisor, an Air Quality Engineer II, and a Telecommunications Analyst. Of these five panelists, four are male and one is female; two are Asian-Pacific Islander, two are Caucasian, and one is Hispanic American.

Resource Impacts

Funds for this purchase are included in the FY 1999-00 Budget.

Attachment(s)

Attachment 1 - Summary of Evaluation of Respondents to RFP #9900-03

ATTACHMENT 1

Summary of Evaluation of Respondents to RFP #9900-03

Three proposals were received in response to this RFP. They were from NDC eCommerce (NDC); Professional Network, LLC(PN); and Pacific Envirosystems, Inc. (PE).

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