South Coast Air Quality Management District

Award Contracts for California Environmental Quality Act Analysis Assistance

SYNOPSIS: 

At its April 5, 2002 meeting, the Board approved the release of an RFP to secure assistance with preparing environmental analyses as required by CEQA. Seven proposals were received and reviewed by a qualified evaluation panel and it is recommended that the most qualified bidders be awarded time and materials contracts, divided between three consultants, for a total amount not to exceed $150,000.

COMMITTEE: 

Mobile Source Committee, May 24, 2002, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Executive Officer to execute contracts with Environmental Audit, Inc., ENSR International, and Jones & Stokes Associates, Inc., each for an amount not to exceed $50,000, for a total amount not to exceed $150,000 to assist in environmental analyses as required by CEQA.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The AQMD utilizes consultant services to augment and/or assist AQMD CEQA staff with preparing entire CEQA documents or portions of CEQA documents for AQMD and non-AQMD projects where the AQMD is the lead agency. Specifically, consultant services are necessary to: assist staff with preparation of CEQA documents to ensure they are completed according to established schedules; provide additional technical expertise in non-air quality environmental disciplines; and, in some cases, provide individuals to work onsite at the AQMD and under supervision of AQMD staff on an as-needed basis to expedite completion of a variety of projects, which may include a range of different types of CEQA documents or intergovernmental review activities pursuant to CEQA. Consultant services may also be necessary to augment staff resources with the periodic updates of the AQMD’s CEQA Air Quality Handbook and updates to CARB’s URBEMIS model on an as-needed basis.

Proposal

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

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

Additionally, potential bidders were notified from 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/Woman 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; e-mailed to the CEQA Section’s list of environmental consultants; and placed on the Internet at AQMD’s Web site [http://www/aqmd.gov, "Business and Job Opportunities" icon] and AQMD’s bidders’ 24-hour telephone message line (909) 396-2724.

Seven proposals were received in response to the RFP. The proposals were reviewed and scored by a four-person panel composed of a Program Supervisor in the Technology Advancement Office; a Senior Deputy District Counsel; and a Program Supervisor and an Air Quality Specialist in Planning, Rule Development and Area Sources. The panel’s ethnicity and gender makeup consisted of two Caucasians, one Hispanic, and one African American; two female and two male.

Following are the evaluation scores for the seven proposers.

CEQA Contract Score Table
CEQA RFP #P2002-26
 

The selection criteria used to rank the proposals included: responsiveness to the RFP; technical merit/understanding of the CEQA process/past experience; project organization and management; qualification, references, assigned personnel; cost and time effectiveness; and DVBE/small business designation. Based on the total scores for each firm and on the funding earmarked for this program, staff recommends three companies be selected. Therefore, based on the RFP criteria, the top three scoring firms are recommended to the Board to be awarded contracts. Firms will remain qualified for a period of two years.

The three recommended scored significantly higher in technical competency. This was in part due to the wider breadth and depth of their personnels’ technical skills. Given the highly technical nature of rulemaking scheduled for this year and next year, along with possible refinery or other lead agency projects it is anticipated that these firms may be called upon frequently to provide skilled technical services. Also, funds may be budgeted for CEQA services in FY 2002-03, which could be added to any of these contracts.

Resource Impact

This action falls within the AQMD’s approved FY 2001-02 Budget.

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