South Coast Air Quality Management District

Apply to U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Authority and Caltrans to Pass Through Designated Green Airport Initiative Funds and Execute Contracts for Expansion of EV Rental Cars Demonstration Project at LAX

SYNOPSIS:

Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Redondo Beach) secured a $1,962,615 grant for the Green Airport Initiative proposed by the non-profit Clean Airport Partnership, Inc. to expand the environmentally friendly rental car program at LAX. Since a non-profit organization cannot apply for the funds directly, staff recommends that the AQMD apply to the Department of Transportation and Caltrans to pass through the designated funds to the Clean Airport Partnership, and execute contracts with Caltrans and the Clean Airport Partnership for the expansion project. The total value of this project is $4 million, including in-kind contractual services and no cofunding from AQMD.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, June 28, 2002, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

1. Authorize the Executive Officer to apply to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Authority Transportation and Community and System Preservation Pilot Program and Caltrans to pass through designated Green Airport Initiative funds, and upon approval of grant, recognize revenue and appropriate $1,962,615 to FY 2002-03 Budget;
   
   
2. Upon approval of grant, authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Caltrans to receive designated Green Airport Initiative fund;
   
   
3. Upon receipt of the grant funds, authorize the Executive Officer to transfer $1,962,615 from Undesignated Reserves to the Professional and Special Services Account of the Technology Advancement Office; and
   
   
4. Upon approval of grant, authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Clean Airport Partnership, Inc. to implement the Green Airport Initiative for the expansion of EV Rental Cars demonstration at LAX contingent upon receipt of grant funds.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Redondo Beach) secured a $1,962,615 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Highway Authority (FHWA) Transportation and Community and System Preservation Pilot Program (TCSP) for the Green Airport Initiative proposed by non-profit Clean Airport Partnership, Inc. to expand the environmentally friendly rental car program at LAX.

After a competitive bid process, the Board approved execution of a contract with EV Rental Cars on August 13, 1999 that continues until June 3, 2003. This existing contract provided cofunding for an electric vehicle rental program at eight locations in California including LAX, and up to 44 electric vehicles and one electric bus, including necessary charging infrastructure. EV Rental Cars integrated electric vehicles into the Budget Rent a Car system, streamlining the process for customers and Budget staff and continues to provide outreach and ongoing training about advanced technology vehicles to staff and customers to ensure high utilization of the cleanest vehicles. EV Rental Cars has used this demonstration program to form the basis of expanding their fleet of vehicles to compressed natural gas vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles.

Caltrans is the state obligating authority for U.S. DOT FHWA TCSP funds. Caltrans is only able to distribute TCSP funds to specific government entities such as AQMD, and is unable to contract with Clean Airport Partnership, Inc. directly. Expedited deployment of advanced transportation technology vehicles to achieve air quality standards is recognized by the Southern California Association of Governments in the Regional Transportation Improvement Program and the Transportation Plan, which enables Caltrans, Office of Community Planning to distribute this funding.

Proposal

The Green Airport Initiative, EV Rental Cars Los Angeles demonstration project is a key component of a national program developed by Clean Airport Partnership, Inc. to improve air quality and transportation efficiency in and around California and U.S. airports. The demonstration makes environmentally-friendly vehicles available for rental by the general public. Based at LAX, the vehicles will be available for travelers and residents. The program provides the opportunity for drivers to use the vehicles in real world driving conditions. This promotes the use of environmentally-friendly vehicles while directly reducing urban air pollution and dependence on foreign oil. The project will place up to 200 vehicles in greater Los Angeles.

Benefits to AQMD

The proposed project is included in the March 2002 update of the Technology Advancement plan under Project 2002CFT-1, Assessment and Technical support of Advanced Technologies and Information Dissemination. Providing contractual support for this project to ensure further deployment of advanced technology vehicles illustrates the AQMD’s commitment to these advanced technologies, and showcases a local project on a national level.

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 d.; "other circumstances exist which are in the best interests of the AQMD." Specifically, these circumstances are B.2.d.(1): Project involving cost sharing by multiple sponsors.

Clean Airport Partnership proposes a public/private partnership leveraging private with federal funds from U.S. DOT FHWA. AQMD is contributing only in-kind contractual services.

Resource Impact

No AQMD funds are required for this project, only in-kind contractual services.

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