BOARD MEETING DATE: January 10, 2003
AGENDA NO. 4

Execute Contract With California Science Center Foundation for Construction and Implementation of Fuel Cell Exhibit as Part of Transportation Gallery of Creative World Exhibition

SYNOPSIS:

The Children’s Air Quality Agenda Initiative #8 directs staff to work with local museums to develop programs to teach children about air pollution and air quality issues. On April 5, 2002, the Board approved the execution of a contract with the California Science Center to develop a working fuel cell demonstration including a full-size model of a fuel cell car. Funding for this project is contingent upon co-funding of $100,000 from CARB. CARB provided only $50,000 to the project and is unable to commit to the other $50,000 at this time. Staff is proposing that the project scope be changed to allow the project to proceed with the reduced CARB contribution of $50,000. The AQMD's funding to the project would remain the same.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, November 22, 2002. Less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item; the 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 Chairman to execute a contract with California Science Center Foundation for construction and implementation of the Fuel Cell Exhibit, in an amount not to exceed $226,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund, contingent upon CARB co-funding of $50,000 directly to the Center.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The Governing Board, on April 5, 2002, authorized $226,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund for construction and implementation of an interactive fuel cell museum exhibit with the California Science Center Foundation. The authorization was contingent upon the receipt of $100,000 in co-funding by CARB. While CARB has provided $50,000 to the project co-funding, it is unable to commit to the other $50,000 at this time. The California Science Center, SCAQMD and the members of the Technical Advisory Committee have also provided in-kind support for the project. The growing interest in fuel cells as the power source for motor vehicles supports the concept of a fuel cell museum exhibit.

Initiative No. 8 of the Children’s Air Quality Agenda directs staff to work with local museums to develop education programs to teach children about air pollution and other air quality issues. The Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) relies upon the expedited implementation of advanced technologies and clean-burning fuels to achieve air quality standards in Southern California. Teaching the public about fuel cells, their operation, uses, and other air quality issues will help the commercialization of fuel cells and improve the general understanding of air quality issues by the public. These projects were begun under Initiative No. 8 and they exemplify the tremendous efforts and resources currently allocated to air quality education.

Proposal

The Exhibit Development Team presented the conceptual project design to AQMD staff on August 16, 2001. This design was the culmination of the design phase of the project, with recommendations for the approval and funding of the implementation/construction phase.

Some of the features of the Fuel Cell Exhibit are:

• The exhibit will be built around an actual car body with simulated fuel cell components;
• An interactive video with questions and answers about fuel cells;
• Comparative vehicles information sheets; and
• An interactive mechanical model.
• Links to fuel cell internet sites and information

Visitors will "see" the simulated fuel cell and engine components through a plexiglas hood. Questions and answers in Spanish and English options will be available via a computer screen in the front passenger window. The comparison sticker in the rear window compares the performance and environmental benefits of fuel cell, hybrid and conventional gasoline vehicles. The mechanical model is an animated fuel cell showing how hydrogen and the fuel cell can generate power and then combine with oxygen to form water. The interactive computer kiosk will provide the latest fuel cell news articles, monthly updates from the web and a "what do you think" visitor talk-back option. The exhibit is a well-designed multi-faceted approach to teach the children about fuel cells, their uses and operation.

The live fuel cell portion of the exhibit uses hydrogen to power a model bus which a visitor can "drive" back and forth across the exhibit wall. The funding for this would have come from the CARB co-funding. This portion of the exhibit will be delayed and not included in the exhibit development at this time. As additional funding from CARB or other sources becomes available, this portion of the exhibit will be implemented.

Benefits to AQMD

AQMD’s Clean Fuels Program has been active in funding the development and demonstration of low emission, alternative fuel technologies within its Technology Advancement Office. This project will be included in the March 2003 Update of the Technology Advancement Plan under category CFT1, "Construct and Implement Interactive Fuel Cell Museum Exhibit." While not developing any direct emission reductions, the proposed exhibit will assist in the commercialization of fuel cell vehicles by providing the public with reliable information and familiarity with fuel cells and their technology. For the commercialization of fuel cell vehicles to be successful, the public must be able to understand fuel cells and the vehicles that they will power. This exhibit will be a first step toward that understanding.

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.d.(8): Research and development efforts with educational institutions or nonprofit organizations. The contract is with the California Science Center Foundation. Specifically this contract is for the construction and implementation of an interactive fuel cell exhibit in the Transportation Gallery of the Creative World Exhibition in the California Science Center. In addition, other circumstances exist which in the determination of the Executive Officer require such waiver in the best interest of the AQMD. Specifically, these circumstances are B.2.d.(1): Projects involving cost sharing by multiple sponsors.

This project will be cofunded by California Air Resources Board ($50,000).

Resource Impacts

The design phase of the project was included in the March 2001 update of the Technology Advancement Plan under Project CFT1-00154 Design Interactive Fuel Cell Museum Exhibit. Total cost for the proposed project, Phase 2-Construct and Implement the Fuel Cell Exhibit as part of the Transportation Gallery of the Creative World Exhibition, is $276,000. Total AQMD cost will not exceed $226,000.

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 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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