BOARD MEETING DATE: December 3, 2004
AGENDA NO. 9

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

SYNOPSIS:

On September 3, 2004, the Board approved release of an RFP to solicit proposals to provide technical and public outreach support assistance for advanced, low- and zero-emission mobile and stationary source pollution control technologies. Thirteen proposals were received and reviewed. This action is to execute contracts with eight technical experts to provide consultation services at a total cost not to exceed $440,000 to be funded from the Clean Fuels Program.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, November 19, 2004, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

1. Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Breakthrough Technologies Institute, Inc. for technical assistance for the development, outreach and commercialization of fuel cells and the technical coordination with federal energy and transportation departments in an amount not to exceed $40,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.
    
2. Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Mr. Joseph Calhoun for technical assistance for the development, outreach, and commercialization of advanced, low-emission light-duty and heavy-duty vehicle technologies and coordination with state agencies in an amount not to exceed $40,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.
    
3. Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Clean Fuels Connection, Inc. to provide technical assistance for technology incentive programs to evaluate proposals for compliance with new CARB guidelines in an amount not to exceed $90,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.
    
4. Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Mid-Atlantic Research Institute, LLC. for technical assistance for the development, outreach, and commercialization of advanced heavy-duty and off-road technologies in an amount not to exceed $40,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.
    
5. Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Protium Energy Technologies for technical assistance in the development, outreach, and commercialization of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in an amount not to exceed $40,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.
    
6. Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with St. Croix Research for the development, outreach, and commercialization of liquefied natural gas, compressed natural gas and hydrogen fuels not to exceed $25,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.
    
7. Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Ms. Cindy Sullivan to provide technical assistance to coordinate with CARB for the development, analysis and technical implementation of new incentive program guidelines in an amount not to exceed $75,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.
    
8. Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Tiax, LLC. for technical assistance for the development, outreach, and commercialization of low-emission and alternative fuels technologies and for expertise in evaluating project proposals for technology incentive programs in an amount not to exceed $90,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The AQMP is the comprehensive regional plan for attaining federal air quality standards in the South Coast basin. In addition to full implementation of current technologies and management practices, there is a need to develop near-term advances in current technologies and to encourage and promote technological breakthroughs. Air quality projections indicate that the federal standards for ozone are not expected to be met without such breakthroughs.

In order to foster these types of technology breakthroughs, the Technology Advancement Office (TAO) administers the Clean Fuels Program to research, develop, and demonstrate pre-commercial technologies to accelerate achievement of the AQMP air quality goals. Due to constant and rapid changes in technologies and the sheer breadth of the potential projects, TAO staff occasionally requires input from experts and practitioners in the field to aid in selecting and establishing projects under the Clean Fuels Program.

In addition, given the state legislature’s passage of AB 923 (Firebaugh) and the Governor’s Budget for expanded incentives funding, the technology incentive programs will require a considerable effort to develop and implement new guidelines, set up the requests for proposals, and evaluate all proposals received for cost effectiveness and calculated emission reductions. As such for this year, additional funding for technical assistance is requested for the Carl Moyer Program and other incentive programs and staff recommends seeking the highest level of technical expertise possible.

At the September 2004 meeting, the Board approved RFP #P2005-13 for technical assistance to the Technology Advancement program. The purpose of that RFP was to update the list of qualified technical assistance contractors to ensure that the AQMD can obtain the best expertise available. The RFP solicited 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. The RFP sought companies or individuals to provide assistance in preparation of AQMP control measures; technical assistance for feasibility studies of stationary and mobile emission control technologies; emissions assessment of new alternative-fuel technologies; evaluation of innovative emissions control systems; VOC control, and assessment of economic, regulatory and technical barriers to the commercialization of clean fuels and advanced technologies; and other activities as needed.

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.	Press Enterprise
3.	Chinese Daily News	13	La Voz	23.	San Bernardino Sun
4.	Eastern Group Publications	14.	Los Angeles Daily News	24.	Santa Clarita Signal
5.	El Chicano	15.	Los Angeles Sentinel	25.	The Wave
6.	El Informador	16.	Los Angeles Times	26.	State of California Contracts
7.	Excelsior, The	17.	Orange County Register		Register
8	Inland Empire Hispanic News	18.	Palm Springs Desert Sun	27.	The Daily Breeze
9.	Inland Valley Daily Bulletin	19.	Philippine News
10.	Korea Central Daily	20.	Precinct Reporter

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 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). Information was also available on AQMD’s bidder’s 24-hour telephone message line (909) 396-2724.

Selection Process and Proposal

Thirteen proposals were received in response to the RFP. The proposals were reviewed and scored by three evaluators from the AQMD: an Assistant Deputy Executive Officer, a Technology Demonstration Manager, and a Fleet Rules Implementation Manager; three Asian-Pacific Islander; three male. The evaluation panel evaluated and scored each proposer based on the selection criteria outlined in the RFP, which encompassed level of experience, cost effectiveness, and availability. Table 1 shows the technical scores from the evaluation panel for the 13 proposals.

Table 1. Area of Expertise and Technical Scores for the 13 Proposers

Based on the technical scores, current in-house staff expertise, and existing technical assistance contracts, staff recommends that eight proposers be awarded contracts. Two of the 13 proposers did not receive the required minimum points (64) technical expertise for this RFP and, therefore, were not considered further. In addition, two proposers, Jerald A. Cole and Hughes Associates Inc. were not considered further since they have existing technical assistance contracts with sufficient funds to cover potential future work assignments. Lastly, one proposer, ICF Consulting, was not considered further because it was determined that AQMD currently has adequate in-house expertise in the proposed technical area.

Of the remaining eight proposers, staff added the proposal cost scores to the technical scores from the evaluation panel. Table 2 provides the total score for each of the eight proposers. In addition, based on the current needs to effectively implement the Clean Fuels Program in the areas of heavy-duty engine technologies, natural gas engine and infrastructure technologies, hydrogen reforming technology, administration and policy for incentive programs, and administration and coordination of fuel cell programs, staff is recommending the funding levels for each of the proposers as shown in Table 2.

The original RFP released in September, 2004 specifies that the total budget for all the requested consulting services be $300,000. However, due to the need to implement a significantly-expanded Carl Moyer, Lower-Emissions School Bus, and other state clean vehicle technology incentive programs, staff recommends increasing the total funding to $440,000. Staff is recommending $165,000 be awarded to provide expert consulting services for the implementation of the expanded technology implementation programs.

Table 2. Area of Expertise Considered, Final Score and Proposed Award.

Following is a synopsis for each of the proposed contractors.

TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION

Breakthrough Technologies will provide expertise in fuel cell technology and administrative coordination with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and U.S. Department of Transportation, with funding in an amount not to exceed $40,000. Breakthrough Technologies currently has a contract in the amount of $35,000, of which a significant amount has been expended on current task orders. Mr. Robert Rose has provided specialized support to the AQMD to assist with commercialization of fuel cells and other low- and zero-emission technologies. Mr. Rose is the founding Executive Director of the U.S. Fuel Cell Council and Executive Director of Breakthrough Technologies Institute.

Mr. Joseph Calhoun will provide technical expertise in the areas of light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles, off-road vehicles and equipment, and hybrid-electric vehicle technologies in an amount not to exceed $40,000. Mr. Calhoun is a registered professional engineer with over 47 years of air quality experience, specifically 19 years with General Motors with responsibility for environmental activities in California and supervising the vehicle certification testing. Most notably is Mr. Calhoun’s ten years of service as the Automotive Engineering Member on the CARB. Mr. Calhoun will provide high-level coordination and strategy insight for interactions with the state agencies as related to technical issues.

Mid-Atlantic Research Institute (MARI), LLC will provide expertise in the areas of heavy-duty, medium-duty, and light-duty vehicles emissions characterization, measurement, and control in an amount not to exceed $40,000. MARI also has expertise in the design and development of after-treatment, advanced heavy-duty engine design, and exhaust emission measurement and chemical speciation as these technologies apply to on-highway, off-road, portable engines, stationary engines, locomotives, and marine vessels. The principal investigator for MARI is Dr. Mridul Gautam, who has over 175 technical papers and presentations.

Protium Energy Technologies will provide technical expertise in the areas of fuel cell technology and hydrogen infrastructure development in an amount not to exceed $40,000. Dr. Venki Raman has been involved in developing and managing hydrogen energy products since 1991. Dr. Raman worked for Air Products since 1977 and was instrumental in developing several key U.S. demonstration projects in hydrogen transportation and power generation. He served on the Board of Directors of the National Hydrogen Association until 2004, is currently serving on the California Hydrogen Highway Blue Print/Rollout Strategy Topic Team, and on the 1995 AQMD Fuel Cell Implementation Task Force. Dr. Raman also helped DOE develop the U.S. Hydrogen Roadmap and formulate research and development plans for hydrogen generation and delivery.

Tiax, LLC will provide technical assistance for low-emission and alternative fuels technologies in an amount not to exceed $90,000. Mr. Jon Leonard has over 24 years experience with low- and zero-emission mobile source technologies, emissions testing, and alternative fuel vehicles. Mr. Leonard is knowledgeable in heavy-duty vehicle control technologies; off-road vehicles and equipment; and state and federal programs, policies, and regulations regarding off-road and alternative vehicles.

St. Croix Research will provide technical assistance in the areas of liquefied natural gas (LNG), compressed natural gas (CNG), and hydrogen in the amount not to exceed $25,000. Mr. Charles Powars, the principal investigator for St. Croix Research, has over 25 years experience in air pollution control equipment and has worked successfully with the CEC, DOE, and the AQMD. Mr. Powars is very familiar with the National Fire Protection Association codes as they pertain to CNG, LNG, and hydrogen station permitting, design, and installation. Mr. Powars has also been active in the California Hydrogen Highway Network working groups and was the primary author of the CEC report "California Hydrogen Fueling Station Guidelines."

TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION

Ms. Cindy Sullivan will provide technical expertise working to develop, analyze, and implement new guidelines for incentive programs in an amount not to exceed $75,000. Ms. Sullivan has in-depth experience in alternative fuel heavy-duty engine technology. She was the Carl Moyer Program manager for AQMD and CARB and is very familiar with the program requirements. Ms Sullivan drafted the original state guidelines for the Moyer Program. In addition, Ms. Nancy Covey will be teaming with Ms. Sullivan under this effort. Ms. Covey was the AQMD Contracts Manager and has worked in the lead capacity for the Carl Moyer and other incentive programs contracts for the District.

Clean Fuel Connection, Inc. will provide technical assistance for the incentive program implementation in an amount not to exceed $90,000. Specifically, Clean Fuel Connection Inc. will assist the staff in project cost-effectiveness calculation and feasibility evaluation. Clean Fuel Connection, Inc. currently has a contract with approximately $50,000 remaining for task orders which have already been assigned. Ms. Enid Joffe and Ms. Lauren Dunlap have provided technical, policy and assessment assistance for the Carl Moyer program for the past three years. Both Ms. Joffee and Ms. Dunlap are knowledgeable in heavy-duty vehicle engine alternative and electric-hybrid technologies.

Benefits to AQMD

AQMD’s Clean Fuels Program has supported the development and demonstration of low emission, alternative fuel technologies since its inception in 1988. The broad range of technologies being developed--from alternative fuel cars to fuel cells--requires that the AQMD have access to specific expertise on an as-needed basis. The proposed level-of-effort contracts will provide this access. The contracted experts will be utilized on a task order basis, and only after it is determined that the information or expertise required is not available in-house.

Resource Impacts

These contracts are included in the March 2004 Technology Advancement Plan under Technology Transfer and Assessment, CFT-1, Assessment and Technical Support of Advanced Technologies and Information Dissemination. Although the original proposed amount was not to exceed $300,000, the need to increase available expertise for technology implementation incentive programs during the next year was determined to be of high priority. Therefore, the total amount proposed for the level-of-effort contracts shall not exceed $440,000.

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.

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