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Issue RFQ for the Purchase of Doppler Sodar Boundary Layer Wind Measurement Systems

SYNOPSIS: 

As part of the U.S. EPA Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Station (PAMS) program, staff is proposing the purchase of Doppler sodar acoustic sounding systems for wind measurements in the lower atmospheric boundary layer. The additional wind and mixing height data will improve air quality forecasting and regional photochemical modeling analyses, as well as analyses for inert species such as carbon monoxide. Funding has been allocated in the FY 1999-00 Budget from grants awarded by the U.S. EPA for the PAMS program to purchase sodars for two upper air sites, at Los Angeles and Ontario International Airports. This action is to issue an RFQ to solicit competitive bids on the sodar instrumentation.

COMMITTEE: 

Mobile Source, March 24, 2000, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve the release of the attached RFQ for the Purchase of Doppler Sodar Boundary Layer Wind Measurement Systems.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

As part of the U.S. EPA Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Station (PAMS) program, staff has identified a need to supplement existing surface and upper-air meteorological measurements with data from Doppler sodar acoustic sounding systems for wind measurements in the lower atmospheric boundary layer. The AQMD currently operates two upper-air monitoring stations with instrumented towers and radar wind profilers, at the Los Angeles and Ontario International Airports. Two new stations are now being installed in Riverside and Orange Counties. The sodars will fill a data void in the current vertical wind measurements, between the anemometer winds from surface-based meteorological towers and the lowest measurements from the existing radar wind profilers. The continuous wind and mixing height data from the sodar systems will improve air quality forecasting and regional photochemical modeling analyses, as well as analyses of inert species such as carbon monoxide.

Proposal

Staff recommends that a Request for Quotations be issued to solicit qualified bids for the Doppler sodar boundary layer wind measurement systems. Staff has identified funds in the FY 1999-00 Budget for the purchase of two Doppler sodar wind measurement systems, at the existing AQMD upper air monitoring stations at Los Angeles and Ontario International Airports. The RFQ will be issued upon approval by the Governing Board, with bid responses due in 30 days.

Outreach

In accordance with the AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, a public notice advertising the RFP and inviting bids will be 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 will be notified utilizing 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 will be 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.

Resource Impacts

Funding for the purchase of two sodar systems is available in the FY 1999-00 Planning , Rule Development and Area Sources Budget, representing grant monies from U.S. EPA Sections 105 and 103 Grants for the fifth year of the PAMS program. The Governing Board recognized these PAMS funds for this purchase on October 8, 1999. U.S. EPA also approved this purchase, as part of AQMD’s PAMS program proposal.

Attachment

RFQ #2000-11: Request for Quotation for Doppler Sodar Boundary Layer Wind Measurement Systems

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