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Execute Contracts for Class 5-6 Vehicles, Transit Buses and Other On-Road Applications Awarded Under Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program

SYNOPSIS:

On September 10, 1999, the Board approved the release of an RFP for the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program to solicit projects for low-emission on- and off-road vehicles and equipment. Staff proposes to award contracts to fund the differential cost of alternative fuel class 5-6 vehicles, transit buses, and other on-road applications for a total funding of $4,097,743 from the Carl Moyer Program Fund. Total project cost is $45,171,802.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, May 26, 2000, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute the following contracts as part of the Carl Moyer Program:

1. A contract with Braun Linen Service to fund the purchase of twelve natural gas delivery trucks, in an amount not to exceed $90,000 from the Carl Moyer Program Fund.
   
   
2. A contract with Airport Bus to fund the purchase of ten electric shuttle buses, in an amount not to exceed $466,000 from the Carl Moyer Program Fund.
   
   
3. A contract with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for the purchase of 100 natural gas transit buses, in an amount not to exceed $2,000,000 from the Carl Moyer Program Fund.
   
   
4. A contract with the City of Glendale for the purchase of fourteen natural gas transit buses, in an amount not to exceed $490,000 from the Carl Moyer Program Fund.
   
   
5. A contract with London Bus & Taxi for the repower of three diesel tour buses to natural gas, in an amount not to exceed $165,000 from the Carl Moyer Program Fund.
   
   
6. A contract with the University of California, Los Angeles, for the purchase of three natural gas shuttle buses, in an amount not to exceed $84,000 from the Carl Moyer Program Fund.
   
   
7. A contract with the City of Anaheim, for the purchase of ten electric shuttle buses, in an amount not to exceed $501,000 from the Carl Moyer Program Fund.
   
   
8. A contract with SunLine Transit District to fund the re-powering of three Supersbuses to liquefied natural gas, in an amount not to exceed $301,743 from the Carl Moyer Program Fund.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program (Moyer Program) provides funding for the incremental cost of implementing low emission heavy-duty vehicle technologies. In recognition of the contribution of heavy-duty vehicles to the emissions inventory, and the difficulty in implementing low emission technologies, the Moyer Program was funded with $19 million in ARB's fiscal year 1999-00 budget to provide incentives for low emission technologies. ARB developed overall program requirements and criteria, and allocated funds to the local air districts for program administration. The AQMD was allocated $8,550,000 from FY 1999-00 Carl Moyer Program funds. These funds were matched by the AQMD with $4.1 million in Clean Fuels Program funds.

At its September 1999 meeting, the Governing Board approved the release of RFP #9900-06 to solicit projects for low-emission, on- and off-road vehicles and equipment. New engines, repowers and retrofits are allowed within the program. ARB required that all projects meet a $12,000/ton cost effectiveness for NOx reductions, that engines and retrofit kits must be certified to ARB low NOx standards, and that emission reductions be a minimum of 25% for retrofits and 30% for new engines. In addition, the AQMD determined that clean, alternative fuels would be given funding priority.

Proposal

Proposal submissions for class 5 & 6 clean fuel trucks, transit buses, and other on-road vehicles projects have been received, reviewed and ranked by staff in order of cost-effectiveness. Only the most cost-effective submissions were considered for funding. The proposed project awards will fund the purchase of new natural gas delivery trucks and transit buses, as well as electric shuttle buses. The proposed projects reflect a diversity of operating cycles and geographical distribution of private fleets. Staff proposes the award of class 5-6 vehicles, transit buses, and other on-road vehicles under RFP 9900-06. Staff proposes reallocation of 1998-99 marine project funding, in the amount of $93,994 to the transit category. Staff also proposes the amount of $3,749 be shifted from the Off-Road: Other category, in order to fully fund the different projects appearing below. This last amount will not impact funding requests for applications received within that category. Those applications and recommendations for funding will be brought before the Board at a future date. The specific projects proposed for funding are as follows:

The proposed awards will fund the purchase and repower of 155 trucks and buses, achieving over 230 tons of NOx reductions annually.

Class 5-6 Vehicles

The RFP allocated $1,000,000 to fund alternative fuel class 5-6 vehicles. Two proposals were received in this category, and both met the cost-effectiveness criteria. Staff recommends awards to Braun Linen Service and AirportBus, totaling $556,000.

1. Braun Linen Service proposes the purchase of twelve (12) new delivery trucks, powered by low emission, natural gas engines. Braun is a commercial laundry which specializes in rental items for restaurant and healthcare industries. The purchase of new vehicles will replace older models in their existing fleet. The vehicles will be fueled on site by existing natural gas compressors. The new vehicles will incorporate a technology certified to ARB's Optional NOx Emission Credit Standard of 1.5 g/bhp-hr. Staff recommends that Braun Linen Service receive $90,000, which will fund the purchase of 12 new delivery service vehicles.
   
   
2. AirportBus is a privately owned provider of scheduled bus transportation services in Orange and Los Angeles Counties. AirportBus offers scheduled service between the Anaheim Resort Area and John Wayne and Los Angeles Airports, in addition to Anaheim area hotels, Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Universal City, and other points of interest. The proposed electric shuttle buses will be used to provide transportation from the AirportBus Anaheim Resort terminal location to area hotels. AirportBus will be partnering with the Anaheim Transportation Network and the City of Anaheim during the spring of 2000 to demonstrate the use of a 22-foot electric bus, providing training for drivers and mechanics and allow for the evaluation and completion of necessary facility upgrades. Staff recommends that AirportBus receive $466,000, which will fund the purchase of 10 new buses.

Other On-Road Applications

The RFP included a subcategory of "Other" under the On-Road category. This subcategory targeted small fleets of 20 vehicles or less, public sector fleets and diesel-to-diesel replacements. A total of $1,500,000 was allocated to this subcategory. No diesel-to-diesel proposals were received. Three proposals were received, totaling $750,000. Staff recommends awards to the three proposers.

1. London Bus & Taxi is a privately owned tour bus operator with facilities located in the San Fernando Valley. They operate novel double decker tour buses and taxi's built in England in and around the greater Los Angeles area. They are planning to repower three of the vehicles in their fleet with Cummins natural gas engines. All training of personnel will be supplied by The Gas Company. Fueling activities will be conducted at various public access facilities in their area and along their established routes. Staff recommends that London Bus & Taxi receive $165,000 which will fund the repower of 3 existing buses.
   
   
2. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Transportation Services Department operates more than 30 electric vehicles and numerous alternative fueled vehicles both on and near the campus as shuttle buses as well as vanpool commuter vehicles. UCLA has applied for the incremental cost associated with the purchase of 3 new heavy-duty vehicles to be used as campus shuttle buses. This new acquisition will augment their existing fleet of 14 CNG - powered shuttle buses. Staff recommends that University of California, Los Angeles receive $84,000, which will fund the purchase of 3 new buses.
   
   
3. The City of Anaheim Department of Public Works is developing a transportation system consisting of a fleet of alternative fueled trolleys, electric buses and electric trams. This new fleet will replace an existing fleet of conventional and gasoline shuttle vehicles. The new fleet will provide service to visitors and employees at all Anaheim resort businesses. Staff recommends that the City of Anaheim receive $501,000, which will help fund the purchase of 10 new electric buses.

Transit Buses

RFP 9900-06 allocated $1,500,000 for transit bus awards. As a result of fewer than anticipated funding requests for the On-Road "Class 5 & 6 trucks" and "Other" categories, staff proposes to re-allocate those un-spent funds plus the reallocation of 1998-99 marine project funding of $93,994 plus $3,749 shifted from the Off-Road: Other category to the Transit category and award contracts to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), the City of Glendale and SunLine Transit Agency for the purchase of a total of 117 natural gas transit buses, totaling $2,791,743.

1. LACMTA proposes to purchase 100 New Flyer natural gas transit buses equipped with Detroit Diesel Series 50-G engine. With 1,000 natural gas buses in service, LACMTA is the largest operator of natural gas buses in the United States. These buses will result in emissions reductions of approximately 182 tons of NOx per year; and over the twelve-year life of these buses, NOx will be reduced over 2000 tons. Staff recommends that LACMTA receive $2,000,000, which will help fund the purchase of 100 new buses.
   
   
2. The City of Glendale also has a history of operating natural gas buses. The proposed award will support the purchase of fourteen (14) natural gas buses. These buses will be operated as part of the city's Beeline fleet, providing local transit service. NOx emission reductions for the proposed buses will be approximately 24 tons per year, or over 250 tons of NOx reduced over the 12-year life of the buses. Staff recommends that the City of Glendale receive $490,000, which will help fund the purchase of 14 new buses.
   
   
3. SunLine Transit proposes the repowering of three Superbuses to liquefied natural gas (LNG) totaling $301,743. SunLine has had a long-term commitment to the use of natural gas; all 40 of their existing transit buses are CNG. The three LNG Superbuses proposed will be additions to their existing fleet of CNG buses and will provide a new service between the Coachella Valley and Riverside's Metrolink Station. The new service will be called "SunLink." Staff recommends that SunLine Transit receive $301,743, which will help fund the repower of the three new buses.

Outreach

In accordance with the AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, a public notice advertising the 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 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 RFP 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"] and AQMD’s bidder’s 24-hour telephone message line (909) 396-2724. Staff also conducted outreach efforts to specific sectors, such as airports and associated transportation providers, construction and building industry, and port operations.

All applicants in these categories received funding for their projects. The following applications were received.

Benefits to AQMD

AQMD’s Clean Fuels Program has been active in funding the development and demonstration of low emission, alternative fuel technologies within its Technology Advancement Office. The AQMD has also supported a number of activities directed to commercialization of low-emission alternative fuel technologies. The successful implementation of the Carl Moyer Program is a direct result of these Technology Advancement activities. The proposed projects will have significant emission benefits for many years. Total NOx Reductions from the proposed projects are approximately 230 tons per year. The vehicles and equipment proposed will operate many years, providing long-term emissions reductions.

Resource Impacts

Total cost for the proposed projects are $4,097,743. All funding for these projects are from the Carl Moyer Program Fund, established as a special revenue fund resulting from the statewide Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program administered by the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Resources Board (ARB). The objective of the Carl Moyer Program is to accelerate the introduction of low-emission heavy-duty engines. Funds are distributed by the ARB through local air districts. Funds from this program are restricted to be used as incentives to private companies or public agencies operating heavy-duty engines in California to cover an incremental portion of the cost of cleaner on-road, off-road, marine, and locomotive engines. The AQMD costshare for the 1999-2000 Carl Moyer Program is included in the March 2000 update of the Technology Advancement Plan as Project 2000M-1 "Clean Fuels Program Match for Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program."

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