South Coast Air Quality Management District
South Coast Air Quality Management District
BOARD MEETING DATE: July 12, 2002 AGENDA NO. 9
Award and Amend Contracts for Technical and Management Assistance for Alternative Vehicle and Fueling Infrastructure Projects to Support AQMD’s Fleet Rules
SYNOPSIS:
In the past three years, the Board has approved significant incentive funding for alternative-fueling stations in the Basin. In response to requests for technical and management assistance for developing alternative fuel vehicles and refueling infrastructure projects in the South Coast Air Basin from fleet owners, staff recommends that the Board award contracts to Charles Powars for $25,000; and other unspecified consultants for $50,000; and amend contracts with USA Pro & Associates for $140,000; and Burnett and Burnette for $60,000. Also, appropriate $50,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund to the Professional and Special Services account of the Technology Advancement Office and authorize the Executive Officer to award contracts to consultants as selected by the Executive Officer for alternative fuel vehicle and infrastructure projects from these funds. Total funding shall not exceed $275,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund
COMMITTEE:
Technology, June 28, 2002, Recommended for Approval
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
The AQMD has adopted a series of fleet rules that have also resulted in construction and installation of alternative fuel refueling infrastructure throughout the AQMD. Over the course of the past three years, the Governing Board has approved over $23 million dollars of funding for dozens of alternative-fueling stations throughout the Basin. It is essential to the successful implementation of the clean fleet rules that the alternative fuel refueling infrastructure be installed in a cost-effective and expeditious manner. In order to meet this challenge, at the March 2001 and May 2002 meetings, the Board awarded contracts to consultants responding to RFP’s for technical and management assistance for implementing several incentive programs. The purpose of the RFPs was to update the list of qualified technical assistance contractors to ensure that the AQMD can obtain the best expertise available. In particular, several consultants were retained to augment staff resources to provide technical and management assistance to fleets in the development of alternative fuel refueling infrastructure in support of the AQMD’s fleet rules. These consulting services have proven to be critical for implementing alternative fuel infrastructure projects and supporting the clean fleet rules in a prompt and timely manner.
Proposal
Additional alternative fuel infrastructure technical assistance is urgently needed to support the fleet rules. Staff proposes the Board authorize the Executive Officer to amend existing consulting contracts and enter into new contracts with additional contractors to increase the level of technical assistance and expertise available for implementing alternative fuel infrastructure projects. The consultants comprise a team of experts in the areas of natural gas vehicles and infrastructure and have extensive experience in advanced transportation technologies and alternative fuels. They will provide timely consultation and assistance to clean fleet and infrastructure owners involving alternative fueling facilities to ensure materials and equipment compatibility, and technical guidance for future natural gas fueling facility implementation.
The consultants will continue to be retained by level-of-effort contracts and shall perform tasks on an as-needed basis upon receiving written authorization from the AQMD’s Deputy Executive Officer for Science & Technology Advancement or his designee. Staff recommends authorizing the Executive Officer to enter into new contracts and amend existing contracts with selected consultants at a total additional cost not to exceed $275,000 to be funded from the Clean Fuels Program.
Tasks may include the following:
The selected consultants include the following:
USA Pro & Associates to provide additional technical assistance for developing an alternative fuel refueling infrastructure and resolve technical and/or vehicle performance-related issues. USA Pro currently has a contract in the amount of $100,000 to identify and resolve technical and/or vehicle performance-related issues relating to LNG vehicles and buses. Staff is recommending that an additional $140,000 be added to the existing contract with USA Pro & Associates for a total contract amount of $240,000.
Burnett & Burnette to provide additional technical assistance for developing an alternative fuel refueling infrastructure. Burnett & Burnette currently has a contract in the amount of $45,000 to identify and resolve technical and/or vehicle performance-related issues relating to CNG engine and fueling station components as well as providing preliminary specifications for fueling systems. Staff is recommending that an additional $60,000 be added to the existing contract with Burnett & Burnette for a total contract amount of $105,000.
Charles Powars to provide additional technical assistance for developing an alternative fuel refueling infrastructure and resolve technical and/or vehicle performance-related issues. Powars is currently a subcontractor to USA Pro and Associates for identifying and resolving technical and/or vehicle performance-related issues involving LNG buses, engine and fueling station components. Staff is recommending that the Board authorize a contract to be executed with Charles Powars for a total contract amount of $25,000.
Benefits to AQMD
The proposed level-of-effort contract amendments will augment staff resources for implementation of the AQMD Clean Fuels Fleet rules. The contractor’s specialized knowledge, experience, and associations with the key players within the industry is necessary for the successful organization and productiveness of the Governing Board’s Strategic Alliance Initiative No. 3. The contractors will also assist participating fleets and operators in the development of vehicle and alternative fuel refueling infrastructure procurement specifications, regulatory compliance and safety in support of the incentive programs and the AQMD's fleet rules.
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 sole source awards is made under provision B.2.d.4, as other circumstances exist which in the determination of the Executive Officer require such waiver in the best interests of the AQMD. Such circumstances may include but are not limited to:
(4) Level-of-effort expert consultation services.
USA Pro & Associates is a recognized expert in alternative fuel refueling infrastructure, identification and resolution of technical and/or vehicle performance-related issues relating to LNG vehicles and buses, engine and fueling station components, and cryogenic onboard fuel storage/delivery systems. USA Pro & Associates is also 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 compliance with government rules, regulations and accepted industry standards, and has established relationships with the major engine and chassis manufacturers. He has a working familiarity with hot gas issues and technology that can resolve fueling specification problems.
Burnett & Burnette is a recognized expert in alternative fuel refueling infrastructure natural gas engines, vehicles and fueling facilities. In particular, Mr. Herb Burnett has expertise in the design of CNG fueling facilities, identification and resolution of technical and/or vehicle performance-related issues relating to CNG engine and fueling station components as well as providing rough specifications for fueling systems. He is well versed in state and local codes and compliance with government rules, regulations and accepted industry standards, and has established relationships with the major engine and compressor manufacturers.
Charles Powars is a recognized expert in LNG technology and has extensive experience with alternative fuel vehicles including R&D, technology assessment, economic analysis, safety evaluation, fleet vehicle project development, and infrastructure planning. He is currently engaged in alternative fuels R&D and provides consulting services to a number of businesses and government agencies, including A. D. Little, Battelle, Cummins Westport, Zeus, USA PRO. He is the principal Investigator for DOE-sponsored development of advanced high-pressure LNG vehicle fuel system. He has also helped to develop alternative fuel vehicle demonstration and fleet deployment projects for LNG trucks (Raley’s), CNG school buses (Sacramento Unified), and methanol transit buses (Golden Gate Transit).
Charles Powars will provide additional technical assistance for developing an alternative fuel-refueling infrastructure. Charles Powars is recognized for his expertise in natural gas engines, vehicles and fueling facilities. In particular, Mr. Powars has expertise in the design of LNG fueling facilities. He is well versed in state and local codes and compliance with government rules, regulations and accepted industry standards. Staff is recommending that the Board authorize a contract to be executed with Charles Powars for a total contract amount of $25,000.
While it is believed that the proposed work scopes for each of the contractors offer the best services available to the AQMD on a planned basis, special circumstances may occur to warrant sole-source contracting with other experts to provide technical assistance to help implement alternative fuel infrastructure and vehicle projects. Currently, the Executive Officer has authority to execute contracts up to $50,000 from the General Fund only. He is not authorized to sign such contracts using monies from the Clean Fuels Fund. At this time we are requesting authority for the Executive Officer to execute additional technical assistance contracts from the Clean Fuels Fund during the current Fiscal Year, based on the Executive Officer’s determination, up to a total of $50,000, which is being appropriated into the TAO budget.
Resource Impacts
Total contract funds from the Clean Fuels Fund shall not exceed $275,000. 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.
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