BOARD MEETING DATE: October 6, 2006
AGENDA NO. 32

Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee

SYNOPSIS:

Below is a summary of key issues addressed at the MSRC’s regular September 21, 2006 meeting. The MSRC’s next meeting is Thursday, October 19, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. in Room GB.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Henry Hogo
Assistant Deputy Executive Officer/
Science & Technology Advancement

FY 2006-07 Work Program Contract Awards and Solicitations

In the last few months the MSRC has been brainstorming with its Technical Advisory Committee to develop the FY 2006-07 AB 2766 Discretionary Fund Work Program. At its August 17, 2006 meeting, the MSRC conceptually approved funding categories for a two-phase, $12.7 million FY 2006-07 Work Program.  Two elements, namely CNG School Bus Incentives for private pupil transportation providers and the Option for Additional Programmatic Outreach, were brought forward for AQMD Board approval in September, with the understanding that the details of other elements would be brought back for MSRC consideration at a later date.

On September 21, 2006, the MSRC took several actions, ultimately approving the following:

1. Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Funding Opportunities Program Announcement #PA2007-05 ($3.5 million);
2. Incentives for the Purchase of Advanced Low Emission Heavy Duty Natural Gas Engines for Urban Transit Bus Operators Program Announcement #PA2007‑ 06 ($2 million);
3. Continuation of CNG School Bus Incentives Program, public school district portion ($1 million), which will be implemented by issuing sole-source contracts to the two remaining previously qualified vendors; and
4. Class 8 Goods Movement Advanced Natural Gas Engine Incentives Program ($1.5 million), which will be implemented by issuing a sole-source contract to Westport Innovations, the manufacturer of the natural gas HPDI System.

The AQMD Board is scheduled to consider these two solicitations and three allocations/awards on October 6, 2006.

FY 2003-04 Work Program

The MSRC previously awarded a contract #MS04006 to Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) in the amount of $405,000 for the purchase of ten gasoline-electric hybrid transit buses. OCTA entered two buses into service.  OCTA has now requested to redirect the funds remaining in the contract to CNG buses, which they believe will enhance the overall cost-effectiveness and be consistent with their current fleet plans.  Specifically, OCTA requested to substitute the purchase of 20 CNG buses for the eight remaining gasoline-electric hybrid buses, as well as a fifteen‑ month contract term extension.  At its September 21, 2006 meeting, the MSRC unanimously approved OCTA’s request.  On October 6, 2006, the AQMD Board will consider this contract modification as part of the FY  2003-04 Work Program.

Received and Approved Final Reports

The MSRC unanimously received and approved two final reports at its September 21, 2006 meeting, as follows:

1. County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County Contract #MS03029, which provided $416,500 toward the repower of four heavy-duty vehicles; and
2. Athens Services Contract #MS04004, which paid $196,421 towards the purchase of 14 heavy-duty vehicles.

All final reports are filed in the AQMD's library and a two-page summary of each closed project can be viewed in the electronic library on the MSRC's website. It is anticipated that in the future the MSRC’s website, http://www.cleantransportationfunding.org/, will include complete final reports in its electronic library.

Contract Modification Requests

At its September 21, 2006 meeting, the MSRC considered three contract modification requests not otherwise discussed above and took unanimous action, as follows:

1. For the City of Whittier Contract #ML04012, which provides $210,000 towards the purchase of three medium- and two heavy-duty CNG vehicles and construction of a CNG station, approval to downsize to a smaller, time-fill fueling facility, to reduce the contract value, and of a three-month contract term extension;
2. For A-Z Bus Sales Contract #MS05001, which provides $1,275,000 to implement the Alternative Fuel School Bus Buydown Program, denial of a funding increase in the amount of $240,000, in light of additional $1 million funding to be allocated to existing vendors including A-Z Bus Sales in the FY 2006-07 Work Program; and
3. For City of Norwalk Contract #MS04005, which provides $118,052 towards the purchase of four gasoline-electric hybrid buses, denial of a 35-month contract term extension.

Contract Administrator’s Report

The MSRC's AB 2766 Contract Administrator provides a written status report on all open contracts from FY 1999-00 through the present. This Contract Administrator’s Report for the month of September is attached for your information (Attachment 1).

Attachments (PDF 148kb)
1) Contract Administrator’s Report