BOARD MEETING DATE: July 8, 2005
AGENDA NO. 6

Issue Program Announcement and Application for Installation of Oxidation Catalysts After-Treatment on Diesel School Buses

SYNOPSIS:

On September 3, 2004, the Board issued a program announcement to retrofit model years 1991-93 school buses with diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs) with funding from U.S. EPA. On November 5, 2004, the Board awarded grants to five school districts to install a total of 49 DOCs for the sum of $122,500, leaving a balance of $127,500 in U.S. EPA funds. This action is to approve issuance of a new program announcement to retrofit additional model year 1991 through 1993 school buses with DOCs on a first-come, first-served basis until all the remaining U.S. EPA funds are exhausted.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, June 24, 2005, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve issuance of Program Announcement and Application #PA 2006-02 to retrofit diesel school buses with oxidation catalysts in the amount of $127,500 from U.S. EPA grant funds placed in the Lower-Emission School Bus Fund on a first-come, first-served basis until the funds are exhausted.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Exhaust emissions from high emitting diesel-fueled school buses present a risk to children and are a source of public exposure to toxic diesel particulate matter and smog-forming pollutants. To reduce emissions from these vehicles, AQMD has used state, federal, and its own funds to replace pre-1987 diesel buses with new CNG and lower-emitting diesel buses, and to retrofit school buses with PM traps and diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs). Table 1 summarizes awards made to date under previous AQMD program announcements.
 

Table 1
Summary of AQMD’s School Bus and PM Trap Awards
 

* Includes 10 percent funding for CNG refueling infrastructure

Last year, AQMD applied and was granted $495,000 in school bus funding by the U.S. EPA. The grant funding comprised $245,000 for replacement of school buses and $250,000 for retrofit of 1991–93 school buses with DOCs.

On September 3, 2004, the Board approved issuance of Program Announcement #PA 2005-01 and by the closing date of October 13, 2004, five school districts applied for 49 DOCs for a total of $122,500. On November 5, 2004, the Board awarded these funds leaving a balance of $127,500.

Proposal

This action is to approve the issuance of Program Announcement #PA 2006-02 in the amount of $127,500, to retrofit model year 1991-93 school buses with DOCs in an amount not to exceed $2,500 per DOC. Only public school districts are eligible for this funding. The program announcement including the application forms are provided in the Attachment. If more funds become available by the time of awards approval, more grants will be awarded up to the total amount of funds available.

Allocation of funds for diesel oxidation catalysts will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. If oversubscribed, no school district will receive more than 35 percent of the total funds (i.e. over $44,625). If by the closing date of August 18, 2005, the program is undersubscribed, then the funding opportunity will be kept open for future applications from public school districts. Applicants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until the balance is exhausted.

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:
 

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.

Benefits to AQMD

Diesel oxidation catalysts reduce diesel exhaust emissions by at least 25 percent in older school buses including model years 1991 through 1993 (inclusive) not yet deemed candidates for PM traps. The successful implementation of the Lower-Emission School Bus Replacement program will provide less polluting and safer school transportation for school children, and will reduce public exposure to toxic diesel particulate matter emissions.

Resource Impacts

Total amount of funding for the retrofit of school buses with DOCs shall not exceed $127,500 from U.S. EPA grant funds, which the Board recognized and approved to be placed in the Lower-Emission School Bus Program Fund on September 3, 2004 (Fund 33).

Attachment (DOC* 201kb)

Program Announcement & Application #PA 2006-02

*

/ / /