BOARD MEETING DATE: March 17, 2000 AGENDA NO. 6
Execute Contract to Purchase Gas Chromatograph System for Speciation and Measurement of Ambient Volatile Organic Compounds
SYNOPSIS:
On December 10, 1999, the Board approved the release of an RFQ to purchase a gas chromatograph system for the laboratory to analyze VOCs from ambient samples. This action is to execute a contract with Thermo-Quest/Finnigan in the amount of $80,567 for the purchase of a Lab Based Gas Chromatograph System as a replacement for a unit which is 15 years old and no longer operational or serviceable. Funds for this purchase are available in the FY 1999-00 Budget.
COMMITTEE:
Administrative, February 11, 2000, Recommended for Approval
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Thermo-Quest/Finnigan in the amount of $80,567 for the purchase of a gas chromatograph system for the PAMS program.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
On December 10, 1999, the AQMD released RFQ #2000-03 to competitively select a vendor from which to purchase a gas chromatograph system for the laboratory. The GC system is a replacement instrument. The current instrument is 15 years old and parts are no longer available for maintenance and repair. The replacement GC system will continue the function of analyzing ambient samples from the PAMS sites for organic compounds.
Proposal
This action is to purchase a gas chromatograph system for the speciation and measurement of ambient VOCs for the laboratory from the successful bidder, Thermo-Quest/Finnigan in the amount of $80,567.
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:
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1. |
Antelope Valley Press |
10. |
La Opinion |
19. |
Precinct Reporter |
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2. |
Black Voice News |
11. |
La Voz |
20. |
Rafu Shimpo |
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3. |
Chinese Daily News |
12. |
Los Angeles Daily News |
21. |
Riverside Press Enterprise |
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4. |
Eastern Group Publications |
13. |
Los Angeles Sentinel |
22. |
San Bernardino Sun |
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5. |
El Chicano |
14. |
Los Angeles Times |
23. |
Santa Clarita Signal |
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6. |
Excelsior, The |
15. |
M/W/DVBE Source |
24. |
State of California Contracts |
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7. |
Inland Empire Hispanic News |
16. |
Orange County Register |
Register |
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8. |
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin |
17. |
Palm Springs Desert Sun | ||
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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 identified using the Los Angeles County MTA Directory of Certified Minority, Women, Disadvantaged and Disabled Veterans Business Enterprises; the Inland Area Opportunity Pages Ethnic/Women Business and 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 January 11, 2000. Attachment A summarizes the comparison of the specifications and performance of the three instruments quoted. The panel, based on its evaluation, determined that two of the three bids were technically acceptable, and Thermo-Quest/Finnigan was the lower of the two bids. One bid was determined to be non-responsive because it failed to demonstrate that proposed specification substitutions are available and functionable. Two other companies responded, but declined to bid.
Evaluation Panel
An evaluation panel was convened to evaluate the three bids according to the criteria described in the RFQ. The panel consisted of three AQMD Air Quality Chemists and one Principal Air Quality Chemist; one Asian/Pacific Islander, one Caucasian, and two Hispanic; one female and three males.
Resource Impacts
Sufficient funds are available in the FY 1999-00 Budget under Fixed Asset #46 for the purchase of the GC/MS instrument.
Attachment A - Quotation Evaluation of Gas Chromatograph System for the Speciation & Measurement of Ambient Volatile Organic Compounds, RFQ #2000-03