South Coast Air Quality Management District

Execute Contract to Provide Both Technical and Public Support for the Implementation of Low Emission, Clean Fuel, Heavy-Duty Vehicles within the South Coast Air Basin

SYNOPSIS:

On May 19, 2000 the Board approved the release of RFP 9900-20 to solicit cost-shared proposals to provide both technical and public outreach support for the implementation of low emission, clean fuel, heavy-duty vehicles. Three proposals were received, none adequately addressed the work statement as described in the RFP. The RFP was reissued in October 2000, a mandatory bidder’s conference was held and three qualified bid proposals were received. All submittals have been reviewed and staff recommends executing a contract with Gladstein & Associates. Total cost to the AQMD’s Clean Fuels Program will not exceed $250,000.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, April 27, 2001, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Gladstein & Associates, to perform both technical and public outreach support for the implementation of low emission, clean fuel, heavy-duty vehicles within the South Coast Air Basin, in an amount not to exceed $250,000 from the Clean Fuel Funds.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

At its May 2000 meeting, the Governing Board approved the release of RFP #9900-20 to solicit proposals that would provide both technical and public outreach support for the implementation of the deployment of low emission, clean fuel, heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs). 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 HDVs to the emissions inventory, and the challenges in lowering emissions from this source category, $25 million, $19 million and $50 million, respectively, has been placed in ARB’s last three fiscal year budgets 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 recently adopted 1190-series Clean Fleet rules require implementation of cleaner HDVs 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 HDVs in public, commercial and private fleets. 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 were required to 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 HDVs that can offer diesel-equivalent performance and durability. Invited bid proposed 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.

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	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 were 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 was 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

Four proposals were received by the closing date, January 12, 2001; one was deemed technically unqualified. Proposals were received from USA Pro & Associates, Engine, Fuel and Emissions Engineering, Inc. (EFEE), and from Gladstein and Associates, LLC. The proposals were reviewed and evaluated according to established AQMD guidelines, using criteria outlined in the RFP. Attachment A summarizes the evaluation of the proposals. The total attainable score for technical criteria and cost was a maximum of 100 points. The proposals were also evaluated for a maximum of 15 additional points for small business, DVBE, small business or DVBE joint venture, use of small business or DVBE subcontractors, and local business.

Selection Process

All three proposals were for both the ride and drive and public outreach portions of the proposal. The standard criteria for weighting as suggested in the Procurement Policy and Procedure was used for evaluation of the proposals (70 points for technical and 30 points for cost/co-funding).

The panelists included a manager from Science & Technology Advancement, the Acting DEO from Public Affairs and Transportation, ARB's manager of the Carl Moyer Program, a Manager from Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and a manager from Orange County Transportation Authority. The panel contained one female and four males; one Asian-American, two Caucasians, one East Indian, and one Hispanic.

Proposers and average scores for each category are listed in the attachment.

Proposal

Based on the panel evaluation, staff is recommending that the contract be awarded to the highest scorer, Gladstein and Associates. The contract will be administrated in two ways: all outreach projects, such as the four-county ride and drive round-ups, will be by task order; work done in support of infrastructure development, fleet purchase and technical assistance will be fixed price.

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 could 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 low-emission trucks traveling into or through the Basin via the corridors.

Although the 1190-series of Clean Fleet rules would require the purchase of low-emission heavy-duty vehicles by public fleets, private fleets operate the majority of heavy-duty vehicles. In addition to informing public fleets of the alternative 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

Evaluation Scores

Attachment
RFP #9900-20A
Ride and Drive Demonstration of Low Emission,
Alternative Fuel Heavy-Duty Vehicles Within the South Coast Air Basin
 
Evaluation Scores
 

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