BOARD MEETING DATE: September 9, 2005
AGENDA NO. 7

Issue RFP to Update and Expand AQMD’s School Bus Inventory

SYNOPSIS:

Since the inception of the Lower-Emission School Bus Program in the year 2000, a large number of school buses have been purchased and retrofitted with funding from the AQMD. This action is to solicit a contractor to update and expand the existing school bus inventory. The updated inventory will assist the AQMD in continuing the successful implementation of the Lower-Emission School Bus Program with funds generated under AB 923.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, July 22, 2005, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve issuance of RFP #P2006-05 to solicit a consultant, in an amount not to exceed $50,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund, to update the school bus inventory within the South Coast Air Basin by conducting a survey of public school districts, private school bus transportation operators, and private schools.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Exhaust emissions from high emitting diesel-fueled school buses are harmful 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 awarded a significant amount of funding assistance ($40.4 million in state funds and $15 million of local funds) to replace older diesel buses with new lower-emitting diesel or CNG buses, provide CNG fueling infrastructure, and retrofit newer buses with particulate traps. Over 60 percent of the funds have been awarded to schools in disproportionately impacted areas.

To assist in understanding the make-up of the various school bus types operating in the South Coast district, a survey was conducted in 2000. This survey provided valuable information regarding the age, usage, and fuel types of all of the school buses with significant awards for alternative fuel school buses and PM trap retrofits, the 2000 survey has become somewhat dated. Staff has a desire to update the 2000 survey. The new survey will provide information to staff and the Board on the direction future school bus funding could focus on.

Proposal

Availability of funds by the two-dollar DMV surcharge under AB923 would enable the AQMD to use some or all of those funds for the continued implementation of the Lower-Emission School Bus Program. An updated and detailed school bus inventory would help the future planning and efficient implementation of the program. This action is to issue the attached RFP #P2006-05, to update and expand the school bus inventory in the Basin, developed in year 2000. The contractor will survey public school districts, private operators, and private school bus transportation schools to compile the details of their school bus inventory and infrastructure. Based on the earlier survey, there are about 8,600 school buses operating in the Basin. Given that there have been several purchases of new buses, retirement of older buses, and retrofit of newer buses since the last survey, it is important that the school bus database is updated.

Outreach

In accordance with the AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, 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 applicants will be notified utilizing the Los Angeles County MTA and Cal Trans Directories of Certified Minority, Women, Disadvantaged and Disabled Veterans Business Enterprises; the Inland Area Opportunity Pages Ethnic/Women Business & Professional Directory; AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors; and AQMD Purchasing’s mailing list. Notice of the Program Announcement & Application 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, "Business and Job Opportunities" icon] and AQMD’s bidder’s 24-hour telephone message line (909) 396-2724.

Benefits to AQMD

The consultant will assist the AQMD in updating and expanding its school bus inventory. This would facilitate the efficient implementation of the Lower-Emission School Bus Program and would help provide cleaner and safer school buses for school children’s transportation, and will reduce public exposure to toxic diesel particulate matter emissions.

Bid Evaluation

Proposals received will be evaluated by a technically qualified panel from AQMD staff in accordance with the criteria contained in the RFP.

Resource Impacts

Total funding for this RFP shall not exceed $50,000. 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 Section 9250.11, establishes mechanisms to collect revenues from mobile 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.

Attachment (DOC* 517kb)

Attachment 1 - RFP #P2006-05 "Update and Expand the School Bus Inventory"

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