BOARD MEETING DATE: November 5, 2004
AGENDA NO. 10

Issue Program Announcement for Production of Electric Lawn Mowers for AQMD’s Lawn Mower Incentive Program

SYNOPSIS:

To follow up on the successful Lawn Mower Exchange Programs in spring of 2003 and 2004, staff proposes to implement a similar incentive program in the spring of 2005 to generate cost-effective emission reductions. This program announcement is to solicit competitive bids from qualified manufacturers to produce and provide cordless electric lawn mowers in sufficient quantities and at the lowest possible price needed for the incentive program.

COMMITTEE:

Mobile Source, October 22, 2004, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve issuance of Program Announcement and Application PA #2005-06 for production of up to 4,000 electric lawn mowers for the Lawn Mower Exchange Incentive Program.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env
Executive Officer

Background

In the spring of 2004, AQMD conducted five lawn mower exchange events where residents exchanged their operable gasoline-powered lawn mowers with zero emission cordless electric lawn mowers. The program was funded by the Rule 2202 Air Quality Investment Program (AQIP) Fund. The exchange program has helped mitigate substantial amount of air pollutants. Due to the success of this program, additional events are being considered for the spring of 2005. Under the last program, individuals exchanging their lawn mowers paid the participating retailer $100, sales tax inclusive. AQMD paid the difference minus the rebate offered by the manufacturer. A similar arrangement is anticipated in the future events.

Proposal

The purpose of this Program Announcement is to solicit competitive proposals from qualified manufacturers for the production and supply of cordless electric lawn mowers to be used in the lawn mower exchange program in the South Coast Air Basin. The goal of this Program Announcement is to identify potential manufacturers/suppliers and products for AQMD’s lawn mower exchange program at the lowest possible price. Proposals from the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are to include the following:

• Detailed product specifications
• Manufacturer’s suggested retail price
• AQMD’s net price
• Supply commitment
• Lead time
• Details of assistance to be provided at the lawn mower exchange events.

Proposal Evaluation

AQMD staff will determine the best value for the funds available based on the specifications, availability, production capacity, the lead time, price of the product and the exchange event assistance capabilities of the contractor.

Outreach

In accordance with the AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, a public notice advertising the RFP and inviting bids will be 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 will be 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 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 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 is also available on AQMD’s bidder’s 24-hour telephone message line (909) 396-2724.

Resource Impact

Amount of funding will be decided after the selection of a contractor from the submitted proposals. A recommendation will be made to the Board on the funding level. Staff anticipates that the funding will be provided from the Rule 2202 AQIP fund with the Board’s approval.

Attachment

Program Announcement and Application PA #2005-06 – Lawn Mower Exchange Program

/ / /