BOARD MEETING DATE: December 5, 2003 AGENDA NO. 3

At its July 11, 2003 meeting, the Board approved release of RFP #2004-02 to solicit proposals for the implementation of low emission, clean fuel and heavy-duty vehicles and supporting infrastructure within the Basin.

Over 60% of the Basin’s NOx emissions inventory can be attributed to on-road mobile sources. Heavy-duty trucks and buses are responsible for 20% of the total NOx emissions. Low emission, alternative fuel heavy-duty engines produce one-half or less the NOx emissions of their diesel counterparts and a fraction of the particulate emissions.

AQMD has supported a number of outreach efforts to private and public fleets encouraging the purchase of low emission engines and vehicles, including a number of workshops and conferences. Part of this support included the implementation of the Interstate Clean Transportation Corridor (ICTC), a public-private partnership to link Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and Sacramento in a geographic triangle of clean fuel vehicles and infrastructure. These destinations were chosen because of their non-attainment status and their links via national highway systems. Participating agencies have included CARB, CEC, DOE and AQMD. The ICTC helped stakeholders obtain funding for natural gas fueling stations, liquefied natural gas (LNG) truck tractors and light-duty compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles in the designated ICTC areas.

In tandem with this project, the major air quality districts in California, with the consultation of the CEC and CARB, have joined to coordinate and make consistent individual funding programs for heavy-duty vehicle incentives.

In recognition of the contribution of heavy-duty vehicles to the emissions inventory, and the difficulty in implementing low emission technologies, over $125 million has been distributed by CARB to provide incentives for low emission technologies. The Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program (Moyer Program) provides funding for the incremental cost of implementing low emission heavy-duty engine technologies. Finally, the AQMD’s Fleet rules require implementation of alternative fuel heavy-duty vehicles in public fleets in the Basin. These important programs have set the stage for widespread penetration of clean fuel, low emission technologies.

The proposed project will be an 18-month effort to implement and increase widespread penetration of low emission, alternative fuel, and heavy-duty vehicles in public, commercial and private fleets. Staff recommends that this contract have the option of being extended an additional 18 months, pending Board approval. The focus of the proposed effort will be on Class 5, 6, 7 and 8 natural gas vehicles because of near-term engine availability and vehicle driving range. The terms of this contract include three components: (1) Support for the Interstate Clean Transportation Corridor (ICTC); (2) Up to four "Ride and Drive" or half-day outreach programs; and (3) a one-day Clean Fuel Conference.

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

1.	Angeles Mesa Wave, The	11.	Inland Valley Daily Bulletin	21.	Palm Springs Desert Sun
2.	Antelope Valley Press	12.	Korea Central Daily	22.	Philippine News
3.	Black Voice News	13.	La Opinion	23.	Precinct Reporter
4.	Central News Wave	14	La Prensa Hispana	24.	Rafu Shimpo
5.	Chinese Daily News	15.	La Voz	25.	Press Enterprise
6.	Eastern Group Publications	16.	Los Angeles Daily News	26.	San Bernardino Sun
7.	El Chicano	17.	Los Angeles Sentinel	27.	Santa Clarita Signal
8	El Informador	18.	Los Angeles Times	28.	The Wave
9.	Excelsior, The	19.	M/W/DVBE Source	29.	State of California Contracts
10.	Inland Empire Hispanic News	20.	Orange County Register		Register

Additionally, potential bidders 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; 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; 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.

The deadline for proposals was 5 p.m., Friday, August 15, 2003. One qualified proposal was received. The proposal was evaluated by a diverse, technically qualified panel of three AQMD staff members. The results are shown in the table below:

	Max. Score Possible	Rater # 1	Rater # 2	Rater # 3
Technical Criteria Min. Req. Score 56	70	60	57	66
Cost	30	25	25	30
Additional Points	15	15	15	15
TOTALS	115	100	97	111

The proposed project is included in the March 2003 update of the Technology Advancement Plan under Project CFT 4 Assessment and Technical Support of Advanced Technologies and Information Dissemination. AQMP relies on the expedited implementation of advanced technologies and clean-burning fuels in Southern California to achieve air quality standards. Low emission, heavy-duty vehicles used in daily service within Southern California have the potential of providing meaningful emissions reductions to the Basin.

This program is a fundamental element in the AQMD’s outreach efforts to expedite the implementation of low emission and clean fuels technologies and to coordinate these activities with other organizations. Additional benefits can be gained through other alternative fuel trucks traveling into or through the Basin via the corridors. Although the fleet rules require the purchase of alternative fuel heavy-duty vehicles by public fleets, private fleets operate the majority of heavy-duty vehicles. In addition to informing public fleets of the alternative fuel vehicle options available, the proposed outreach effort will attempt to engage major private fleets.

Total AQMD cost for this program shall not exceed $125,000. The proposal includes a cost share of $490,000, approximately a 4:1 match to the Clean Fuel Funds proposed for allocation to this RFP. Sufficient funds are available from the Clean Fuels Program 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 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.