BOARD MEETING DATE: May 2, 2003
AGENDA NO. 7

Issue RFP for Technical Assistance for Advanced, Low- and Zero-Emission Mobile and Stationary Source Pollution Control Technologies

SYNOPSIS:

The RFP will solicit statements of qualifications from individuals and organizations potentially capable of providing expert technical consultation in a variety of specialized areas to support AQMD technology advancement activities. It is anticipated that multiple awards for level-of-effort contracts will be made from this solicitation. Sufficient funds are available from the Clean Fuels Fund to support this work in an amount not to exceed $200,000.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, April 25, 2003, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve release of RFP # P2003-35 for technical assistance for advanced, low- and zero-emission mobile and stationary source pollution control technologies.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) is the comprehensive regional plan for attaining federal air quality standards in the South Coast Air Basin. In addition to full implementation of current technologies and management practices, near-term advances in current technologies and technological breakthroughs are needed. Air quality projections indicate that the federal standard for ozone will only be met with such breakthroughs. Regular revisions to the AQMP are based on the most current information on technology advancements.

In 1988, the Board adopted a Clean Fuels Program and formed the Technology Advancement (TA) Office to administer and manage the program. The TA program is a far-reaching effort, incorporating a mix of short-, medium-, and long-term goals, representing a three-tiered approach to achieve clean air in the Basin. As a result, the breadth of the TA program includes demonstrations of nearly commercial technologies as well as support for research studies of technologies to be developed. The scope of the TA program also considers all potential sources of air pollution emissions in the Basin, including both stationary and mobile sources.

Request for Proposals

Each TA project seeks to incorporate the most effective technical approach over the shortest possible timeframe. In support of this approach, the TA Office periodically requests Board approval to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for technical assistance to Technology Advancement programs. This RFP will solicit statements of qualifications from individuals and organizations potentially capable of providing technical assistance in a variety of areas to support AQMP implementation and TA activities. Services to be performed include technical assistance for feasibility studies of stationary control technologies for infrastructure development and implementation, mobile and diesel emission control technologies for school buses and fleet rules, evaluation of innovative emissions control systems; technical assistance for feasibility studies and emissions assessments of NOx and PM control systems; and other activities as needed. In each case, it will first be ascertained whether the work can be performed in-house.

The qualifications first sought will cover the breadth of the TA program. Each consultant selected shall have proven expertise in at least one of the following areas:

• toxic air contaminants and their potential formation
• health and safety issues related to new technologies
• stationary source control technologies
• fuel processing and reformulation
• hybrid electric vehicle technologies
• fuel cell technologies
• hydrogen infrastructure development
• heavy-duty vehicle emission control technologies
• alternative fuel engine technology
• off-road vehicles and equipment emission controls
• solar and other renewable energy technology
• ultracapacitor and battery technology

Bid Evaluation

Consultants will be selected through an open bidding process according to AQMD's Consultant Selection Policy and Proposals. Successful bidders shall be retained by level-of-effort contracts; therefore work assignments can be issued for specific needs and projects without requiring lengthy consultant selection processes for each individual project. It is anticipated that multiple awards for level-of-effort contracts will be made from this solicitation.

Outreach

In accordance with the AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, a public notice advertising the RFP and inviting bids will be placed 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 will be 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 will be 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.

Benefits to AQMD

The proposed project supports the implementation of advanced alternative fuel technology that could potentially be used to reduce PM, NOx, CO, VOC and hydrocarbon emissions from mobile and stationary sources. In addition, outside expertise will provide an effective means of evaluating new technologies and assessing emissions.

Resource Impacts

The total amount of AQMD funding for the level-of-effort contracts will not exceed $200,000, with the amount of funding allocated to each contract dependent upon the consultant's qualifications and AQMD needs.

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 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.

Attachment

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