South Coast Air Quality Management District
South Coast Air Quality Management District
BOARD MEETING DATE: November 1, 2002 AGENDA NO. 7
Amend Contract for Technical and Management Assistance for Alternative Vehicle and Fueling Infrastructure Projects to Support AQMD’s Fleet Rules
SYNOPSIS:
As part of the compliance with the vehicle fleet rules, many operators are choosing LNG fueled vehicles and are beginning to develop the necessary LNG refueling infrastructure. In response to requests from fleet owners for technical and management assistance for developing LNG refueling infrastructure projects in the South Coast Air Basin, staff recommends that the Board amend its existing contract with USA Pro & Associates for an additional amount of $125,000. Total funding for this contract shall not exceed $365,000 from the Clean Fuels Program.
COMMITTEE:
Technology, October 25, 2002. Less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item; the Vice Chairman communicated his concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration with no approval or disapproval recommendation from the Committee.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Authorize the Executive Officer to amend the existing contract amendment with USA Pro & Associates to provide technical and management assistance for developing liquefied natural gas refueling infrastructure projects in the South Coast Air Basin for an additional amount not to exceed $125,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund, bringing total funding to $365,000.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
As part of the implementation of the AQMD fleet vehicle rules, there has been a significant expansion of the alternative fuel refueling infrastructure throughout the AQMD. At the March 2001 and May 2002 and July 2002 meetings, the Board awarded contracts to consultants responding to RFPs for technical and management assistance for implementing several incentive programs. The purpose of those 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 valuable 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 needed to support the expansion of the infrastructure and to address technical issues related to the operations of alternative fueled vehicles. Staff proposes that the Board authorize the Executive Officer to amend the existing consulting contract with USA Pro & Associates to provide additional technical assistance and expertise that are offered by them to help implement liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure projects. The consultant’s team includes experts in the areas of LNG vehicles and refueling infrastructure with extensive experience in advanced transportation technologies and alternative fuels. They can and have provided timely consultation and assistance to fleet operators to ensure materials and equipment compatibility, and technical guidance for future natural gas fueling facility implementation.
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, the firm’s president, Mr. Gary 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.
USA Pro & Associates team of experts also includes Mr. Herb Burnett of Burnett & Burnette and Charles Powars.
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 specifications for fueling systems. He is well versed in state and local codes and compliance with government rules, regulations and accepted industry standards.
Charles Powars is a recognized expert in LNG technology and has extensive experience with alternative fuel vehicles including research and development, technology assessment, economic analysis, safety evaluation, fleet vehicle project development, and infrastructure planning. He is currently engaged in alternative fuels research and development and provides consulting services to a number of businesses and government agencies, including A.D. Little, Batelle, and Cummins Westport. He is the principal investigator for DOE-sponsored development of an 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).
USA Pro & Associates currently has a contract in the amount of $240,000 to identify and resolve technical and/or vehicle performance-related issues relating to LNG vehicles and buses. USA Pro will continue to be retained by a level-of-effort contract 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 amend the existingcontract with USA Pro at a total additional amount not to exceed $125,000 to be funded from the Clean Fuels Program.
Tasks may include the following:
Benefits to AQMD
The proposed level-of-effort contract amendments will augment staff resources for implementation of the AQMD clean fleet vehicle rules. 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.
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 B.2.c.1: The unique experience and capabilities of the proposed contractor or contractor team and B.2.d.4: Level-of-effort expert consultation services, as detailed in the Proposal section of this letter.
Resource Impacts
With the additional $125,000 funding amendment, total contract funds from the Clean Fuels Fund shall not exceed $365,000. 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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