South Coast Air Quality Management District

Establish List of Prequalified Vendors and Issue Purchase Orders for Purchase of Compressed Pure Gases and Cryogenic Liquids

SYNOPSIS: 

On October 19, 2001, the Board approved the release of RFP #P2002-17 to purchase compressed pure gases and cryogenic liquids. Several bids for compressed pure gases and cryogenic liquids were received and evaluated. This action is to establish a list of prequalified vendors and issue purchase orders for the purchase of compressed pure gases and cyrogenic liquids for calendar year 2002 with an optional extension to cover calendar year 2003.

COMMITTEE: 

Administrative, December 14, 2001, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

1. Establish list of prequalified vendors with the vendors listed in Attachment 3.
   
   
2. Issue purchase orders with the vendors identified in Attachment 3 for the purchase of compressed pure gases and cryogenic liquids, at fixed rates which shall be effective for two years for a cumulative amount not to exceed $60,000 per year.

Background

On October 19, 2001, the Governing Board released RFP #P2002-17 to competitively solicit bids for the purchase of compressed pure gases and cryogenic liquids. The AQMD Laboratory uses compressed pure gases as carrier gases and purging agents, and cryogenic liquids are used to concentrate samples for gas chromatographic analysis for PAMS, children’s agenda, enforcement and other network samples.

Proposal

Staff requests Board approval to establish a list of prequalified vendors with the vendors listed in Attachment 3. Staff further requests issuance of purchase orders with a cumulative amount not to exceed $60,000 per year for the purchase of both compressed pure gases and cryogenic liquids. Orders will be placed with the vendor having the best cost package quotation, while meeting the delivery requirements specified in the RFP. Purchase order amounts will be decided based upon the overall cost package submitted and the historical consumption of the various gases and cryogenic liquids. No individual purchase order will exceed $50,000.

Outreach

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

1.	Antelope Valley Press	12.	La Prensa Hispana	23.	Rafu Shimpo
2.	Black Voice News	13.	La Voz	24.	Press Enterprise
3.	Chinese Daily News	14.	Los Angeles Daily News	25.	San Bernardino Sun
4.	Eastern Group Publications	15.	Los Angeles Sentinel	26.	Santa Clarita Sisgnal
5.	El Chicano	16.	Los Angeles Times	27.	State of California Contract
6.	El Informador	17.	M/W/DVBE Source	28.	Register
7.	Excelsior, The	18.	Orange County Register	29.	Wave Publication
8.	Inland Empire Hispanic News	19.	Palm Springs Desert Sun	30.	State of California Contracts
9.	Inland Valley Daily Bulletin	20.	Orange County Register	31.	Register
10.	Korea Central Daily	21.	Philippine News	32.	Wave Publications
11.	La Opinion	22.	Precinct Reporter

Additionally, potential bidders were identified using AQMD and other agency listings of vendors licensed and specializing in investment/financial consultant services. Notices of the RFP were 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 24-hour telephone message line for bidders (909) 396-2724.

Bid Evaluation

The evaluation panel consists of three AQMD staff: a Principal Air Quality Chemist, a Senior Air Quality Chemist and an Air Quality Chemist. The panel makeup relative to gender and ethnicity is as follows: one female, two male; one Caucasian, one Caucasian/Asian/Pacific-Islander, and one Hispanic. The evaluation process was conducted according to the criteria described in the RFPs.

Attachment 1 and 1A reflect the price quotations of vendors from whom compressed pure gases will be purchased. Attachment 2 and 2A list the price quotations ranking of vendors from whom cryogenic liquids will be purchased.

Staff is recommending that all vendors be qualified at this time based on the evaluation panel scores. Attachment 3 summarizes the list of vendors recommended.

Resource Impacts

The term of the purchase orders is for the calendar year 2002 with an optional extension to cover calendar year 2003. The first quotation will be valid until December 31, 2002. The additional quotation will be effective until December 31, 2003. Staff estimates that $60,000 will be needed for the purchase of compressed pure gases and cryogenic liquids for each year. Sufficient funds are available in the Science and Technology Advancement budget for the current fiscal year and each of the years, upon approval by the Board.

Attachments

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