BOARD MEETING DATE: October 7, 2005
AGENDA NO. 8

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 of Spring 2003, 2004 and 2005, staff proposes to offer similar incentive in the Spring of 2006 to generate cost-effective emission reductions. This action is to issue a Program Announcement to solicit competitive bids from the manufacturers of cordless electric lawn mowers in sufficient quantities and at the lowest possible price.

COMMITTEE:

Mobile Source, September 23, 2005, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve issuance of Program Announcement and Application #PA 2006-08 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 Spring 2005, AQMD conducted ten lawn mower exchange events where operable gasoline powered lawn mowers were exchanged for zero emission cordless electric lawn mowers. The program funded by the Rule 2202 Air Quality Investment Program (AQIP) has helped mitigate substantial amount of emissions. Individuals exchanging their lawn mowers paid the participating retailer $100, including sales tax. AQMD funds cover the difference minus the rebate offered by the manufacturer. Due to the success of this program, staff believes additional events should be considered in Spring 2006.

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 proposal 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 but not limited to the following:

• Detailed product specifications
• Manufacturers 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 evaluate the proposals based on product specifications, availability, production capacity, the lead time, price of the product and the exchange event assistance capabilities of the contractor.

Outreach

In accordance with AQMD’s Procurement Policy and Procedure, 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 may 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 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 determined after the evaluation and selection of a contractor from the submitted proposals. Funding will be provided from the Rule 2202 AQIP.

Attachment (DOC* 115kb)

Program Announcement and Application #PA 2006-08

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