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Execute Contract to Provide Technical Support for the Evaluation and Implementation of Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Facilities

SYNOPSIS:

Due to increased interest in operating CNG vehicles, both from the Carl Moyer Program, and the proposed 1190 rule series, AQMD staff has received numerous requests for assistance in accumulating information necessary to specify equipment and estimate costs of establishing CNG fueling facilities. Staff proposes to execute a contract with Burnett and Burnette to provide technical support for the establishment of CNG fueling facilities. AQMD funding will not exceed $45,000.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, April 28, 2000, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Burnett and Burnette for technical support services for the establishment of CNG fueling facilities, in an amount not to exceed $45,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Currently, the CNG refueling industry builds and installs a wide variety of non-standardized, application-specific refueling systems. Local government agencies, school districts, and others who are designing and procuring CNG fueling stations often have little or no knowledge of the technical and regulatory requirements of establishing such a station. Because of the increased interest in operating CNG vehicles, both from the Carl Moyer Program, and the proposed 1190 rule series, AQMD staff has received numerous requests for assistance in accumulating the information necessary to specify equipment and estimate costs of establishing CNG fueling facilities.

The CNG refueling industry consists of numerous companies that design and install a wide variety of non-standardized, application-specific refueling systems. Virtually all CNG stations are custom built to match site parameters. Inexperience and lack of knowledge of available equipment, design considerations and regulatory requirements often result in unnecessarily costly facilities. Through the proposed level-of-effort (LOE) contract, Technology Advancement Office proposes to assist local governments, school districts, and others with the services of a consultant expert in the design, permitting and installation of CNG refueling stations in order to better understand and analyze the technical details of such installations.

Proposal

Staff proposes to execute a LOE with Burnett and Burnette, and specifically Herbert Burnett, principal of the company. Mr. Burnett has 27 years of gas/oil industry experience, having conducted the design, permitting, installation and operation of 110 CNG stations. Mr. Burnett will be able to provide unbiased information on equipment specifications, regulatory requirements and other concerns before entities go to bid for station design and installation.

The scope of this effort will include the following tasks and work elements, performed at the direction of AQMD:

1. Interviews with personnel responsible for equipment design, operation and maintenance of proposed natural gas fueling stations.
   
   
2. Review of construction requirements by fire departments and building officials.
   
   
3. Interaction with CNG vendors to identify and define standardized and modular CNG fueling equipment
   
   
4. Define and record standardized station performance specifications regarding refueling times and capacities as a function of fleet characteristics, start-up procedures and vendor responsibilities.
   
   
5. Define and record standardized maintenance actions to be performed over the life of the system.
   
   
6. Develop a user integration program including vehicle, maintenance and safety training.
   
   
7. Develop guidance material to assist fleets investing in their own CNG fueling stations to evaluate proposals.

Benefits to AQMD

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." Implementation of alternative fuels into transit fleets, and subsequently into other heavy-duty vehicles, can provide significant emission reductions over diesel-fueled buses. Implementation of alternative fuel infrastructure requires informed decision making in order to install high quality facilities in as cost-effective a manner as possible. The type of assistance offered through the LOE will improve the design and construction process for CNG stations, in particular, being implemented in the Basin. The proposed Contractor will advise fleets on equipment available to improve performance and lower capital and operating cost of NGV fueling stations.

Sole Source Justification

Section VIII.B.2 of the Procurement Policy and Procedure identifies four major provisions under which a sole source award may be justified. This request for a sole source award is made under provision B.2.d.: Other circumstances exist which in the determination of the Executive Officer require such waiver in the best interest of the AQMD. Specifically, these circumstances are: 2.d.(4), level-of-effort consultation services.

Mr. Burnett is a licensed Engineer with BS and MS degrees combined with over twenty years of experience in the management of multi-million dollar oil/gas and utility projects. His strengths include design/permitting and construction management, and engineering technology. He managed and directed the Gas Company's Natural Gas Vehicle Division with ultimate responsibility for the design, permitting, installation and operations of 70 CNG stations. In addition he supported the installation and training of 40 privately owned CNG stations.

Resource Impacts

Total AQMD funding will not exceed $45,000. Mr. Burnett's rates are $100/hour. He will be assigned on a per-task basis, with a staff-approved, task-specific budget. Sufficient funds are available from the Clean Fuels 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.

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