BOARD MEETING DATE: March 4, 2005
AGENDA NO. 6

Execute Contract for Organic Compound Tracers Analyses of Particulate Matter Samples Collected Under MATES-III

SYNOPSIS:

In October 2004 the Board approved the issuance of an RFP for Organic Compound Tracers Analyses of Particulate Matter Samples Collected under MATES-III. This action is to approve a contract award to Desert Research Institute in an amount not to exceed $199,995 from the Clean Fuels Fund to conduct the analyses.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, February 25, 2005, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Executive Officer to execute an agreement with Desert Research Institute to conduct organic compound tracers analyses of particulate matter samples collected under MATES-III in an amount not to exceed $199,995 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

In October 2004, the Governing Board approved the release of RFP #P2005-14 to conduct organic compound tracers analyses of particulate matter samples collected under MATES-III in an amount not to exceed $200,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

MATES-III is currently collecting samples of particulate matter for analysis of elemental carbon and organic carbon. The MATES-III Technical Advisory Group has recommended that a supplemental analysis of organic compounds be conducted on the particulate filter samples 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 estimate levels of ambient diesel particulate matter, as well as estimate levels of particulate matter 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 upon collected particulate samples can be used to determine certain contributing sources. To further identify gasoline vehicle emission compounds from diesel emission compounds, analyses of limited additional filter sampling collected on Sundays and Wednesdays will also be conducted to take into account the reductions in heavy-duty vehicle traffic on weekends compared to weekdays.

The measurements of organic compounds as tracers from specific sources is a technique that has been used in numerous source apportionment studies and published within the scientific literature. Currently the AQMD Laboratory does not have the instrumental methodology or standard components needed for the analyses.

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 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

Four proposals were received in response to the RFP. The proposals were evaluated by reviewers with expertise in the areas of monitoring and analysis of ambient pollutants. The reviewers included staff from the California Air Resources Board Monitoring and Laboratory Division, the U.S. EPA Region IX Technical Support Office, the AQMD Laboratory, and the AQMD Health Effects Officer. The panel’s ethnicity and gender breakdown was as follows: four Caucasians; one female and three male. The reviewers scored the proposals according to criteria outlined in the RFP. Two proposals received technical scores above the 56 point minimum required to qualify.

The results of the evaluation are listed in Attachment A.

Proposal

The proposal from Desert Research Institute received the highest rating. Based on the evaluations, staff recommends awarding a contract to Desert Research Institute in an amount not to exceed $199,995.

Benefits to AQMD

Results of this work will provide a more robust, scientifically sound estimate of ambient levels of diesel particulate matter, as well as levels of particulate matter from other significant combustion sources, for MATES-III. This will allow a better estimation of potential exposures to and health effects from toxic air contaminants in the South Coast Basin.

Resource Impacts

The amount of the contract will not exceed $199,995. Sufficient funds are available from the Clean Fuels Fund. 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 for the MATES III project will help establish a baseline of the contributions from mobile sources to ambient levels of toxic air contaminants. This in turn will allow better estimation of the benefits of emissions reductions from clean fuel programs.

Attachment

Attachment A – Evaluation of Proposals for RFP #P2005-14

ATTACHMENT A
EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS
FOR RFP #P2005-14
 

        Note: Minimum technical score of 56 points is required to qualify.

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