BOARD MEETING DATE: December 3, 2004
AGENDA NO. 3A
(Continued from the November 5, 2004 Board Meeting)

Execute Contract to Conduct Survey and Prepare Guidance Document for Appropriate School Site Selection

SYNOPSIS:

In July 2004, the Board approved issuance of an RFP to prepare a Guidance Document for Appropriate School Site Selection. This action is to approve a contract award to ICF Consulting for development of this document in an amount not to exceed $70,441.

COMMITTEE:

Administrative, October 8, 2004. Less than a quorum was present for the discussion of this item; those Committee members present communicated their concurrence.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute an agreement with ICF Consulting to prepare a Guidance Document for Appropriate School Site Selection in an amount not to exceed $70,441 from the Public Affairs FY 2003-04 Budget.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

In July 2004, the Board approved issuance of RFP #P2004-25 to conduct a survey and prepare a guidance document for appropriate school site selection and appropriated $75,000 to fund this effort.

This action was in response to many recent issues regarding potential exposure of children to air pollutants and toxic emissions near schools.

The guidance document will be complementary to the AQMD’s draft Model Air Quality Element and can be used by school districts when siting new schools. This contract is to develop a general framework that identifies air quality and environmental justice issues and will suggest appropriate steps that can be taken by school districts to minimize school children’s exposure to toxic air contaminants. It also includes conduct of a focus group of school officials, and assistance to AQMD staff with outreach to school officials on the use of the guidance documents.

In addition to the guidance document, a survey of school districts within the AQMD will be conducted to determine the number, size, and location of new schools planned for the next five years.

Outreach

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

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

Additionally, potential bidders were notified utilizing the Los Angeles County MTA Directory of Certified Firms, the Inland Area Opportunity Pages Ethnic/Women Business & Professional Directory; and AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors. Notice of the RFP/RFQ were 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) where it can be viewed by making menu selections "Inside AQMD"/"Employment and Business Opportunities"/"Business Opportunities" or by going directly to http://www.aqmd.gov/rfp/index.html). Information was also available on AQMD’s bidder’s 24-hour telephone message line (909) 396-2724.

Selection Process

Six proposals were received in response to the RFP. The proposals were evaluated by four reviewers with expertise in the areas of air quality impacts and schools. The evaluators included an executive staff member from the Los Angeles Unified School District, Office of Environmental Health and Safety; a staff member from San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Office; the AQMD Public Advisor; and the AQMD Health Effects Officer. Of the reviewers, two are Caucasian, one is Asian, and one is Hispanic. All are male. The reviewers scored the proposals according to criteria outlined in the RFP.

The results of the evaluation are listed in Attachment A.

Proposal

The proposal from ICF Consulting received the highest rating. Based on the evaluations, staff recommends awarding a contract to ICF Consulting in an amount not to exceed $70,441.

Benefits to AQMD

In view of the Board’s environmental justice priorities and commitment to children’s air quality issues, it is important to provide appropriate guidance for the selection of new school sites. Such guidance will help ensure that the adverse air quality situations as has occurred with past school siting decisions are less likely to be repeated based on School Board actions.

Resource Impacts

Funds are available in the Public Affairs FY 2003-2004 budget, Professional & Special Services Account. The amount of the contract will not exceed $70,441.

Attachment

Attachment A – Evaluation of Proposals for RFP #P2004-25

ATTACHMENT A
EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS
FOR RFP #P2004-25
 

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