South Coast Air Quality Management District
South Coast Air Quality Management District
BOARD MEETING DATE: March 16, 2001 AGENDA NO. 4
Execute Contracts for Technical and Management Assistance for Implementation of Carl Moyer Program, School Bus Program, and ZEV Incentive Program in South Coast Air Basin
SYNOPSIS:
In January 2001, the AQMD issued an RFP to seek technical and management assistance for the Carl Moyer Program, School Bus Program, and ZEV Incentive Program as well as assist participating fleets and operators in the development of vehicle and alternative fuel refueling infrastructure procurement specifications in support of these incentive programs as well as the AQMD's fleet rules. This action is to request approval to award multiple contracts under this RFP. Total amount of funding requested will not exceed $475,000.
COMMITTEE:
Administrative, March 9, 2001, Recommended for Approval
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
AQMD has several incentive programs aimed at accelerating the introduction of advanced, low-emission heavy-duty engine technologies and light-duty zero-emission transportation technologies. Three major incentive programs are the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program (Carl Moyer Program), the Lower-Emission School Bus Replacement and Retrofit Program (School Bus Program), and the ZEV Incentive Program. The AQMD anticipates receiving approximately $50 million from the state this fiscal year for these three incentive programs.
At the January 29, 2001 meeting, the Governing Board approved RFP #P2001-30 for technical and management assistance for implementation of the Carl Moyer Program, the School Bus Program, and the ZEV Incentive Program in the South Coast Air Basin. The objective of the RFP is to augment staff resources by obtaining technical and management assistance for the Carl Moyer Program, the School Bus Program, and the ZEV Incentive Program, as well as assist participating fleets and operators in the development of vehicle and alternative fuel refueling infrastructure procurement specifications in support of these incentive programs and the AQMD's fleet rules. The RFP solicited proposals from consultants who meet a combination of technical qualifications and demonstrated capability of providing management assistance and support to implement and monitor the incentive programs.
Outreach
In accordance with the AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, a public notice advertising the RFP and inviting applications was published in the following publications on two separate days:
Additionally, potential vendors 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; AQMD Purchasing’s mailing list; and various consultants from Technology Advancement's database. 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.
Selection Process
Four proposals were received in response to the RFP, one of which was deemed not technically qualified. Of the three remaining proposals, two applied under all four categories and the third applied under three categories excluding support for the ZEV Incentive Program. Deviating from the standard criteria weighting suggested in the Procurement Policy and Procedure, which is 70 points for technical and 30 points for cost effectiveness, this RFP criteria weighed more heavily towards technical, with 80 points for technical and 20 points for cost effectiveness. Evaluation teams were formed for each of the four categories.
Comprising the panelists for the Carl Moyer Program were one member of the Science & Technology Advancement staff, ARB's manager of the Carl Moyer Program, MTA's representative on the MSRC and Carl Moyer Program, and Sacramento AQMD's manager of Mobile Sources (one female and three males including one Asian, one Asian-American, and two Caucasian).
Comprising the panelists for the School Bus Program were one member of the Planning & Rules staff, two members of ARB's School Bus team, CEC's manager for the School Bus Program, and a representative from the Coalition for Clean Air (one female and four males, including one Asian-American and four Caucasians).
Comprising the panelists for the ZEV Incentive Program were one member of the Science & Technology Advancement staff, CEC's manager for the Light-Duty Vehicle Program, and president of the EV-1 Club and Director at the Southern California Economic Partnership (three males including one Caucasian, one Armenian, and one East Indian).
Comprising the panelists for infrastructure scoping support were two members of the Science & Technology Advancement staff, one member of the Planning & Rules staff, CEC's manager for the Carl Moyer Infrastructure Program, and MTA's representative on the MSRC and Carl Moyer Program (five males including one Hispanic, two Asian-Americans, and two Caucasians).
Proposers and average scores for each category are listed in the attachment.
Proposal
The consultant teams selected will be retained by level-of-effort contracts, against which task orders will be issued as specific needs arise. Except for support in the ZEV Incentive Program, staff recommends two contract teams be retained to provide technical and management assistance under each program. This will ensure a diversified pool of resources and a timely response to support as needed. The proposed contractors, including areas of expertise, are described in the following paragraphs.
Clean Fuel Connection, Inc., and its principals Enid Joffe and James Cahill, has extensive experience in the EV industry, advanced technology transit bus development, and government relations. Subcontractors identified in the proposal include experts in the areas of natural gas vehicles and infrastructure. Staff recommends awarding a contract to Clean Fuel Connection, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $225,000.
A.D. Little, Inc., and its staff headed by Jon Leonard, has extensive experience in advanced transportation technologies and alternative fuels, and has been providing technical assistance involving alternative fuel vehicles and fueling stations to the AQMD, the CEC, and other government programs since the early 1980s. These programs spread across all types of light, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Contractor is a recognized leader in natural gas vehicle applications. Staff recommends awarding a contract to A.D. Little, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $150,000.
USA Pro & Associates, and its President Gary Pope, is recognized for its expertise in natural gas engines, vehicles and fueling facilities. In particular, Mr. Pope has expertise in the design of LNG fueling facilities. He is well versed in state and local codes, and has established relationships with the major engine and chassis manufacturers. Subcontractors identified in the proposal include experts in the areas of CNG refueling stations and alternative fuel systems for all vehicle types. Staff recommends awarding a contract to USA Pro & Associates in an amount not to exceed $100,000.
Benefits to AQMD
The proposed level-of-effort contracts will augment staff resources for the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program, the Lower-Emission School Bus Replacement and Retrofit Program, and the ZEV Incentive Program in the South Coast Air Basin as well as assist participating fleets and operators in the development of vehicle and alternative fuel refueling infrastructure procurement specifications in support of these incentive programs and the AQMD's fleet rules. The AQMD anticipates receiving approximately $50 million from the state this fiscal year for these three incentive programs.
Resource Impacts
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 and stationary 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.
Evaluation Scores
/ / /