South Coast Air Quality Management District

Back

Execute Contract to Refine AQMD Socioeconomic Assessment Program

SYNOPSIS: 

On June 16, 2000, the Board approved the release of an RFP for the refinement of the AQMD socioeconomic assessment program. The evaluation of the six proposals has been completed. This action is to award a contract to BBC Research & Consulting in an amount not to exceed $116,310. Funding for this contract has been included in the FY 2000-01 Budget.

COMMITTEE: 

Administrative, September 8, 2000. Committee Members who were present communicated their concurrence.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with BBC Research & Consulting in an amount not to exceed $116,310 for refining the AQMD Socioeconomic Assessment Program.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

On June 16, 2000, the Board approved the release of RFP #P2001-01 to develop new and enhance existing socioeconomic analysis tools for the purpose of conducting facility-based assessments, affordability analyses, and small business impact assessments. The expanded tools will allow the AQMD to better focus on sensitive facilities and communities and make appropriate changes to proposed rulemaking and BACT determinations. The RFP had a nationwide circulation via conventional and modern media consistent with the AQMD’s procurement policy and procedures.

Outreach

In accordance with AQMD's consulting and contracting policies, a public notice advertising the RFP and inviting proposals was published in the following publications:

Additionally, RFP notices were mailed to the Black and Latino Legislative Caucuses and various minority chambers of commerce, and placed on the Internet at AQMD’s Web site (http://www.aqmd.gov, "Business and Job Opportunities" icon) as well as on AQMD’s bidder’s 24-hour telephone message line (909) 396-2724. Furthermore, potential bidders were identified using AQMD Purchasing’s mailing list and through Internet search engines.

Bid Evaluation

The AQMD received a total of six proposals as of the 1:00 p.m., July 20, 2000 deadline. An ethnically, gender, and technically diverse panel reviewed the proposals. The panel was made up of five members: one representative from the Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group, another from the Ethnic Community Advisory Group, and three AQMD staff from the offices of Public Affairs, Finance, and Planning. The five panelists comprised three Asian females, one Hispanic female, and one Caucasian male.

Based on the average scores from all the panelists for each proposal, two firms, BBC Research & Consulting and KPMG/Barents Group, qualified for the technical criteria established in the RFP. The criteria included understanding the problem, technical/management approach, contractor qualifications, and previous experience on similar projects. In addition, the factors of cost and small business are considered. The evaluation results for the two firms are:

Table 1
Evaluation of Proposals for RFP #P2001-01

^*Below the established cutoff score for technical criteria.

Based on the panel’s assessment, it is recommended that BBC Research & Consulting be selected to perform the requisite tasks as set forth in the RFP.

Resource Impacts

The maximum contract cost is $116,310 and funding is available under Socioeconomic Data Acquisition in the FY2000-01 Budget for the Office of Planning, Rule Development and Area Sources.

/ / /