BOARD MEETING DATE: October 1, 2004
AGENDA NO. 9
Authorize Funding and Issue RFP for Organic Compound Tracers Analyses of Particulate Matter Samples Collected under MATES-III
SYNOPSIS:
AQMD is currently conducting measurements of toxic air contaminants under MATES-III. This action is to authorize $200,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund and to approve issuance of an RFP to conduct additional analyses for organic compounds on particulate matter samples being collected for use in source apportionment of particulate matter. These analyses will provide additional information that may be used to estimate source contribution to ambient particulate matter, including diesel exhaust.
COMMITTEE:
Technology, September 24, 2004. Less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item; the Acting Chair communicated his concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Approve issuance of RFP #P2005-14 for Organic Compound Tracers Analysis of Particulate Matter Samples Collected under MATES-III for an amount not to exceed $200,000 from the Clean Fuels Funds.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
MATES-III is currently underway and ambient air toxics sampling is being conducted. In addition, particulate matter samples are being analyzed for elemental carbon and organic carbon. The MATES-III Technical Advisory Group is recommending that a supplemental analysis of organic compounds from particulate matter samples be conducted to better characterize the sources contributing to ambient particulate matter, including diesel particulate matter.
Analysis of particulate bound organic compounds will be utilized as tracers to provide additional data that may be used to estimate source contributions to particulate matter from diesel combustion and from other major sources. Other major sources that may be taken into consideration include automobile exhaust, meat charbroiling, road dust, wood smoke and fuel oil combustion. Analyzing for organic compounds and metals in conjunction with elemental carbon collected on particulate filter samples can be used to determine certain contributing sources. However, the difference between gasoline vehicle emissions and diesel emissions collected on a filter sample may still not be clearly defined. To further identify gasoline vehicle emission compounds from diesel emission compounds, limited additional filter sampling will be conducted on Sundays and Wednesdays to take into account the reductions in heavy duty vehicle traffic on weekends compared to weekdays.
A source apportionment analysis will be conducted using the enhanced ambient sampling data. The use of particulate-bound organic compounds in conjunction with the analysis of metals and elemental carbon/organic carbon in source apportionment has been well-documented in the scientific literature. However, this method of source apportionment utilizing particulate bound organic compounds as tracers from specific types of sources is still considered a research technique and may require further development before actual application in MATES-III or other future air toxics monitoring analysis. Currently the AQMD Laboratory does not have the instrumentation or standards needed for the analyses.
Proposal
Staff proposes to issue the attached RFP #P2005-14 for Organic Compound Tracers Analysis of Particulate Matter Samples Collected under MATES-III, in an amount not to exceed $200,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.
PM2.5 samples are being collected every three days at the ten MATES-III monitoring sites over a one-year period. Samples will be composited on a monthly basis to provide sufficient material to meet the analytical detection limits, resulting in 120 analyses. Additional samples will be collected on Sundays and Wednesdays at three of the monitoring sites for a period of three months during the fall and winter seasons. This will result in 18 additional monthly composite samples.
Outreach
In accordance with AQMD’s Procurement Policy and Procedure, a public notice advertising the RFP/RFQ and inviting bids will be published in the following publications:
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1. |
Antelope Valley Press |
11. | La Opinion |
21. |
Rafu Shimpo |
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2. |
Black Voice News |
12. |
La Prensa Hispana |
22. | San Bernardino Sun |
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3. |
Chinese Daily News |
13. |
La Voz Publications |
23. |
State of California Contracts |
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4. |
Desert Sun |
14. |
Los Angeles Daily News |
Register |
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5. |
Eastern Group Publications |
15. |
Los Angeles Sentinel |
24. |
The Daily Breeze |
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6. |
El Chicano |
16. |
Los Angeles Times |
25. | The Excelsior |
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7. |
El Informador |
17. |
Orange County Register |
26. |
The Signal |
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8. |
Inland Empire Hispanic News |
18. |
Philippine News |
27. | Wave Community Newspapers |
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9. |
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin |
19. |
Precinct Reporter | ||
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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.
Bid Evaluation
Proposals will be reviewed and evaluated by a diverse, technically qualified panel in accordance with criteria contained in the attached RFP.
Benefits to AQMD
Results of this work will utilize the latest scientific techniques to provide additional data that may be used to estimate ambient levels of diesel particulate matter. This will allow a better estimation of potential exposures to and health effects from toxic air contaminants in the South Coast Air Basin.
Resource Impacts
The total funding for this RFP will not exceed $200,000. 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 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.
Section 40448.5(e) of the California Health and Safety Code provides that "when considering which clean fuels projects to promote, the south coast district shall consider, among other factors … potential effects on public health, ambient air quality, visibility within the region, and other factors determined to be relevant by the south coast district." The additional analyses proposed will help establish a baseline of the contributions from mobile sources to ambient levels of toxic air pollutants, from which the benefits of emissions reductions from clean fuel programs can be determined.
Attachment A –RFP #P2005-14
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