South Coast Air Quality Management District

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Appropriate Funds from Clean Fuels Fund and Execute Purchase Agreements for Three Alternate Fuel Vehicles for Alternative Fuel Vehicle Loan Program

SYNOPSIS:

As part of the Technology Advancement Alternative Fuel Vehicle Loan Program, the AQMD demonstrates alternate fuel vehicles with available low-emission and clean-fuel technologies. It is proposed that the AQMD purchase three compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered Ford Crown Victoria Sedans. Total cost to the AQMD for these three vehicles will not exceed $29,000 per vehicle.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, September 22, 2000, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

1. Appropriate $87,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund to the Capital Outlays Major Object of the Technology Advancement Office; and
   
   
2. Authorize the purchase of three CNG-powered Ford Crown Victoria Sedans for a total amount not to exceed $87,000.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The AQMD utilizes a number of AFVs in the AFV Loan program, which demonstrates new clean-fuel vehicles to public and private organizations so that potential purchasers may familiarize themselves with commercially available AFVs. This program is especially important now, in light of the recently passed Clean Fleet Vehicle Rule 1190 series, for outreach to local cities, county governments, Associations of Governments, and special districts.

The Ford Crown Victoria Sedan is recognized as the vehicle of choice for these local governments in applications ranging from police patrol and undercover vehicles to executive staff transportation and carpool use. The ability to demonstrate performance characteristics and appearance of the CNG versions of these vehicles to both executive management and elected officials will be a critical component in the efforts toward having these local jurisdictions become familiar with, accepting, and ultimately embracing AFV technology.

Proposal

Authorize the purchase of three CNG-powered Ford Crown Victoria Sedans that will join one existing Ford Crown Victoria Sedan currently in the loan program. The AQMD's Intergovernmental Affairs staff at meetings, conferences, and other events will regularly demonstrate two of these sedans. The other two sedans will be rotated amongst those local jurisdictions that have requested their use in accordance with the loan program.

Benefits to AQMD

The purpose of including AFVs in the AQMD fleet is to illustrate the AQMD’s own commitment to these technologies, and to showcase available AFVs in order to encourage purchase of these vehicles by public and private organizations. The AQMD supports low-emission-use and strives to educate public and private organizations regarding the benefits and characteristics of AFVs. The primary objective of adding these vehicles to the AQMD’s fleet is not the emissions benefits from the four AFVs, but to demonstrate the viability of these vehicles to Basin public sector fleets and to encourage the purchase of these low-emission vehicles.

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 "d"; "other circumstances exist which are in the best interests of the AQMD." The AQMD endeavors to include as many available technologies as possible in its fleet, representing a cross-section of manufacturers. The AQMD operates AFVs from Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Chrysler and Honda. But because the Ford Crown Victoria is the predominant sedan for use by local jurisdictions, it is necessary to be able to demonstrate the equivalency of AFV versions of these vehicles to their gasoline-powered models.

Resource Impact

The purchase price of the Ford Crown Victoria Sedans will not exceed $29,000 each. The total amount for the three vehicles will not exceed $87,000.
 

Vehicle	Cost/Each	Total Cost
3 Ford Crown Victoria Sedans	$29,000	$87,000

Sufficient funds are available in 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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