South Coast Air Quality Management District

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Issue RFP for Construction Management and Consulting Services for Design/Engineering, Permitting and Equipment Specification of a Natural Gas Fueling Station at AQMD Headquarters

SYNOPSIS:

The AQMD desires to build and operate a new natural gas fueling station at its Diamond Bar facility that can accommodate the growing District alternative fuel vehicle fleet. The purpose of this RFP is to solicit construction management and, as an option, consulting services including site analysis/selection, design development drawings, permitting assistance and equipment specifications for a new natural gas fueling station at AQMD headquarters. The total project cost of this phase of the fueling station construction is not to exceed $45,000.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, September 22, 2000, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve issuance of RFP #P2001-19 in an amount not to exceed $45,000, to solicit proposals for construction management and consulting services, including site analysis/selection, design development drawings, permitting assistance and equipment specifications for a new natural gas fueling station at AQMD headquarters.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The AQMP identifies the use of alternative clean fuels in mobile sources as a key attainment strategy. Alternative fuel vehicles, such as natural gas vehicles (NGVs), have demonstrated significantly lower VOC, NOx, CO and toxic emissions than gasoline vehicles. The AQMD has made a number of purchases of CNG vehicles which have demonstrated such emission profiles. Currently the AQMD has a fleet of 88 CNG vehicles and will be adding another 27 CNG vehicles in the near future. The capacity of the AQMD's on-site CNG compressor fails to meet the fueling needs of the current fleet. The AQMD does not have in-house expertise to create design drawings or perform construction management services required to bring such a construction project to a successful conclusion.

Proposal

Staff believes it prudent to contract for technical assistance, construction management and consulting services to produce the CNG station design development drawings, help select the most appropriate site for the fueling station, and to oversee the entire design/ engineering, permitting and field construction of the CNG fuel delivery facility. Such services are necessary in order to ensure a quality installation to be completed on time and on budget. The design development drawings are necessary to have completed prior to inviting contractors to bid in order for them to be able to submit comprehensive and accurate cost proposals.

The proposed project will potentially be a 10-month effort to create design development drawings, assist in all permitting and, at the option of the AQMD, conduct construction management services during a follow on construction project for a CNG fueling station to be located at the AQMD headquarters.

A principle task within the scope of work is to perform site analyses and selection, develop detailed design development documents including a plot plan, piping and instrumentation diagram, proposed system fueling curve, single line electrical diagram, project cost estimate and project schedule requirements for the design, engineering, permitting, construction, and maintenance of the proposed facility. In addition to the above, bidders are encouraged to separately address the scope of work and cost for construction management services for the follow-on construction of a CNG fueling station. Depending on qualifications, a successful bidder may be retained to perform such construction management services. Staff proposes to release a Request for Proposals to solicit proposals for technical assistance, project management and consulting services to provide design development drawings and documents. Staff recommends that the AQMD provide up to $45,000 in Clean Fuels Program funds to support this effort.

Benefits to AQMD

The AQMP relies on the expedited implementation of advanced technologies and clean–burning fuels in Southern California to achieve air quality standards. While having no direct impact on air emission reductions, this work is a forerunner to siting a CNG fueling station at AQMD headquarters. This new, publicly accessible facility will help facilitate the introduction of low emission, natural gas fueled vehicles (NGVs) initially in private and public fleets in the area. Such increased penetration of NGVs will provide direct emissions reductions of NOx, VOC, CO, PM, and toxics throughout the Basin.

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 RFP 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.

Bid Evaluation

Proposals received will be evaluated by a diverse, technically qualified panel in accordance with criteria contained in the attached RFP.

Resource Impacts

The proposed project is included in the March 2000 update of the Technology Advancement Plan under Project 2000M3-1 Development of Advanced Natural Gas Compressors for Refueling Stations. 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.

Attachment

RFP #P2001-19 for Construction Management and Consulting Services for Design/Engineering, Permitting and Equipment Specification of a Natural Gas Fueling Station at AQMD Headquarters

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