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Issue RFP for Implementation of Low Emission, Alternative Fuel Heavy-Duty Vehicles within the South Coast Air Basin

SYNOPSIS:

Over 60% of the South Coast Air Basin’s NOx emissions inventory can be attributed to on-road mobile sources. Heavy-duty trucks and buses are responsible for 20% of the total NOx emissions. Low emission, alternative fuel heavy-duty engines produce one-half or less the NOx emissions of their diesel counterparts and a fraction of the particulates. The purpose of this RFP is to solicit cost-shared proposals to provide both technical and public outreach support for the implementation of low emission, clean fuel heavy-duty vehicles within the Basin. Total cost to the AQMD’s Clean Fuels Program will be $250,000.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, March 24, 2000. Less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item; the Chair and Vice Chair communicated their concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration with no approval or disapproval recommendation from the Committee.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve issuance of RFP #9900-20, in an amount not to exceed $250,000, to solicit cost-shared proposals to provide both technical and public outreach support for the implementation of low emission, clean fuel, heavy-duty vehicles.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Over 60% of the Basin’s NOx emissions inventory can be attributed to on-road mobile sources. Heavy-duty trucks and buses are responsible for 20% of the total NOx emissions. Low emission, alternative fuel heavy-duty engines produce one-half or less the NOx emissions of their diesel counterparts and a fraction of the particulate emissions.

The AQMD has supported a number of outreach efforts to private and public fleets encouraging the purchase of low emission engines and vehicles, including a number of workshops and conferences. Part of this support included the implementation of the Interstate Clean Transportation Corridor (ICTC), a public-private partnership to link Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and Sacramento in a triangle of clean fuel vehicles and infrastructure. These destinations were chosen because of their non-attainment status and their links via national highway systems. Participating agencies have included ARB, CEC, DOE and the AQMD. The ICTC helped stakeholders obtain funding for natural gas fueling stations, liquefied natural gas (LNG) truck tractors and light-duty compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles in the designated ICTC areas.

In tandem with this project, the major air quality districts in California, with the consultation of the CEC and ARB, have joined to coordinate and make consistent individual funding programs for heavy-duty vehicle incentives.

In recognition of the contribution of heavy-duty vehicles to the emissions inventory, and the difficulty in implementing low emission technologies, $25 million was placed in ARB’s fiscal year 1998-99 budget and $19 million in the FY 1999-00 budget to provide incentives for low emission technologies. The Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program (Moyer Program) provides funding for the incremental cost of implementing low emission heavy-duty engine technologies. Finally, the proposed 1190-series Clean Fleet rules would require implementation of alternative fuel heavy-duty vehicles in public fleets in the Basin. These important programs have set the stage for widespread penetration of clean fuel, low emission technologies.

Proposal

The proposed project will be an 18-month effort to implement and increase widespread penetration of low emission, alternative fuel, and heavy-duty vehicles in public, commercial and private fleets. Staff recommends that any contract emanating from this RFP have the option to be extended an additional 18 months, pending Board approval. The focus of the proposed effort will be on Class 5, 6, 7 and 8 natural gas vehicles because of near-term engine availability and vehicle driving range. Bidders must also illustrate their ability to address other alternative fuel options for all classes of vehicles. A principle task within the project is to develop and implement a "Ride and Drive" program. Most fleet operators continue to have a lack of hands-on experience in operating alternative fuel heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) that can offer diesel-equivalent performance and durability. Bidders will propose to develop and implement a comprehensive program that will provide ready short-term, on-road testing access to alternative fuel HDVs for fleet operators in the Basin. Staff proposes to release a Request for Proposals soliciting cost-shared proposals to provide support for the implementation of low emission, clean fuel, heavy-duty vehicles within the Basin. Staff recommends that the AQMD provide $250,000 in Clean Fuels Program funds to support this effort. Proposers will be required to provide a portion of the proposed project cost.

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.

Benefits to AQMD

The proposed project is included in the March 2000 update of the Technology Advancement Plan under Project 2000T-1, "Assessment of Advanced Technologies and Information Dissemination". The AQMP relies on the expedited implementation of advanced technologies and clean-burning fuels in Southern California to achieve air quality standards. Low emission, heavy-duty vehicles used in daily service within Southern California have the potential of providing meaningful emissions reductions to the Basin. For instance, several refuse companies located in the Basin will soon purchase a combined total of 104 natural gas trucks. Over the typical ten-year life of each of these trucks, NOx emission reductions of approximately 130 tons will be realized. It is conceivable that during the 18-month duration of the proposed program, hundreds of trucks can be placed with fleets domiciled in the Basin. At a conservative estimate of 40,000 miles a year per truck, 100 trucks would realize an additional 130 tons of NOx reductions in the Basin over a ten-year period. Additional benefits can be gained through other alternative fuel trucks traveling into or through the Basin via the corridors.

Although the 1190-series of Clean Fleet rules will require the purchase of alternative fuel heavy-duty vehicles by public fleets, private fleets operate the majority of heavy-duty vehicles. In addition to informing public fleets of the alternative fuel vehicle options available, the proposed outreach effort will attempt to engage CEOs of major private fleets.

Resource Impacts

This project is included in the March 2000 Technology Advancement Plan Update for 2001. 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 #9900-20 Cost Share Implementation of Low Emission, Clean Fuel Heavy-Duty Trucks in the Basin

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