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Authorize Purchase of Doppler Sodar Boundary Layer Wind Measurement Systems

SYNOPSIS: 

At its April 21 meeting, the Board approved the release of an RFQ for the purchase of Doppler sodar boundary layer wind measurement systems. As part of the U.S. EPA PAMS program, staff proposes the purchase of two Doppler sodar systems. The sodars will supplement current upper-air measurements from surface-based meteorological towers and radar wind profilers to improve regional modeling analyses and forecasts. This action is to authorize purchase from AeroVironment Inc., at a cost not to exceed $84,000 with funds identified in the FY 1999-00 Budget from grants awarded by the U.S. EPA for this purchase.

COMMITTEE: 

Mobile Source, May 26, 2000, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with AeroVironment Inc. in an amount not to exceed $84,000 for the purchase of two Doppler sodar boundary layer wind measurement systems with trailer options for the PAMS program.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

On April 21, 2000, the AQMD released RFQ #2000-11 to competitively select a vendor from which to purchase Doppler sodar boundary layer wind measurement systems. The sodar systems will complement the upper air meteorological monitoring required by the U.S. EPA Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Station (PAMS) program. 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

This action is to purchase two Doppler sodar boundary layer wind measurement systems as part of the PAMS upper-air monitoring program from the successful bidder, AeroVironment Inc., in an amount not to exceed $84,000.

Outreach

In accordance with the AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, public notices advertising the RFQ and inviting bids were 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

A listing of open RFQs was made available to various legislative caucuses, community groups, trade organizations, chambers of commerce and other interested parties at the time the Notice Inviting Bids/Proposals was submitted for publication.

Additionally, potential bidders were 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 was mailed to the African-American 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

Three quotations were received when bidding closed at 2:00 p.m. on May 23, 2000. Attachment A summarizes the comparison of the technical specifications and costs of the three instruments quoted. None of the bidders claimed minority, women, or disabled veteran business enterprise or small business status. The panel, based on its evaluation, determined that all three of the bids were technically acceptable, and that AeroVironment Inc. had the lowest cost of the three bids.

Evaluation Panel

An evaluation panel was convened to evaluate the three bids according to the criteria described in the RFQ. The panel consisted of one AQMD Senior Meteorologist, one AQMD Air Quality Specialist, one AQMD Senior Transportation Specialist, and one Meteorologist from the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District; one Asian/Pacific Islander, three Caucasians; all male.

Resource Impacts

Sufficient funds, not to exceed $84,000 are available in the FY 1999-00 Planning, Rule Development and Area Sources Budget from U.S. EPA grants allocated to the AQMD for the fifth year of the PAMS program. The Governing Board recognized these PAMS funds for this purchase on October 8, 1999.

Attachment

Attachment A - Quotation Evaluation of Doppler Sodar Boundary Layer Wind Measurement Systems, RFQ #2000-11

* Initial purchase price includes the cost of two complete systems with trailer options, installation, training, tax and shipping.

** Total cost of ownership is based on the initial purchase price of two units with trailer options, installation, training, tax and shipping, operated for two years with extended warranty and two one-day service trips.

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