South Coast Air Quality Management District

Execute Contract for Development of Alternative Fuel Vehicle-Training Program with Advanced Transportation Technology Initiative of California Community Colleges

SYNOPSIS:

To ensure the occurrence of projected emission reductions from Rule #1195 – Clean On-Road School Buses and the Governor’s School Bus Program, appropriate training opportunities must be provided to mechanics. This proposal is for the development of training curriculum for natural gas school bus fleets.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, July 27, 2001. Less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item; the Vice Chair communicated his concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration with no approval or disapproval recommendation from the Committee.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Advanced Transportation Technology Initiative of the California Community Colleges (ATT) for the development of Natural Gas School Bus Training Curriculum in an amount not to exceed $234,609 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

Barry Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

At its April meeting, the Governing Board approved Rule #1195 – Clean On-Road School Buses. Also, the distribution of funding for the Governor's School Bus Program will result in additional natural gas school buses on the road. An important factor in helping to ensure that the natural gas buses result in long-term emission reductions is further training of the mechanics who will care for these fleet vehicles.

Proposal

This project will develop a standard curriculum on natural gas engines and refueling systems to be provided to all appropriate organizations within the SCAQMD region. The curriculum and services developed in this project can then be customized, adapted and replicated for users throughout the region. The proposed curriculum and training program will consist of the following elements: a program to educate school administrators, children and parents; a safety and site inspection for each training site; standardized set of curriculum training modules; 40 hours of technician training and, a client follow-up program. Upon completion of the program, the participants will have diagnosis and repair skill sets specific to natural gas vehicles.

The Advanced Transportation Technology (ATT) Network is an Economic Development Project established through the Chancellor’s Office of the California Community Colleges. The ATT was developed to respond to the educational needs of the state with regard to new and evolving alternative vehicle engine technologies. The ATT network consists of ten centers throughout California. This program will be carried out throughout the ATT Centers at Cerritos, Cypress, Long Beach, Rio Hondo and College of the Desert, as well as some facilities outside the AQMD. Additionally, ATT is working with San Bernardino Community College to make it an ATT member. By using the community colleges, staff believes that regionwide access to training will become a reality.

The intent of this proposal is to provide training in two ways. The immediate need of individual facilities can be met by on-site training, while in the long-term this training will be available through community college courses.

Benefits to AQMD

The proposed project is included in the March 2001 update of the Technology Advancement Plan under Project 2001CFM2-3, "Development and Demonstration of Low Emission, Alternative Fuel School Buses," and Project 2001CFM1-2 School Bus Implementation Assistance Program – Infrastructure Development and Facilities Modifications". The ultimate benefit of increasing the availability of maintenance training is that full and continued operation of the natural gas buses will result in less exposure of school children to toxic air contaminants.

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.(8): Research and development efforts with educational institutions or nonprofit organizations. The contract is with the Alternative Transportation Training Initiative, which is a part of the California Community Colleges. Specifically, this contract is for the development of curriculum to train existing and future mechanics in NG technologies. This effort will provide a source of training to mechanics which will be maintaining equipment purchased in compliance with the 1190 Rule series, which is currently not available. Additionally, the development of curriculum, and training program will provide for a state certification for those students that successfully complete the curriculum. This project is the first step in a multi-year, $8 million dollar effort by the ATT to develop a regional training center to provide a state certified alternative fuel training program. ATT is in the position to expediently provide a source of training to mechanics, who will be maintaining equipment purchased in compliance with the 1190 Rule series, which is not currently available. Each Center has completed the Train-the-Trainer, Natural Gas Facility and Cylinder safety course through the Transportation Safety Institute. ATT has extensive experience in providing training programs to augment those provided by OEM and installation contractors. The training will help ensure that the facility operators maintain and operate the natural gas equipment in an effective manner.

Resource Impacts

Total cost for the proposed contract shall not exceed $234,609. 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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