BOARD MEETING DATE: June 1, 2007
AGENDA NO. 16

PROPOSAL:

Execute Contract with Cordoba Corporation to Implement Phase II of Air Quality Institute

SYNOPSIS:

In January 2006, the Board approved the implementation of the Air Quality Institute (AQI) to disseminate information on environmental justice and air quality-related matters. Based on the success of the AQI, the Board authorized the program's continuation. Four proposals were received in response to the Board approved RFP. This action is to execute a contract with Cordoba Corporation for implementation of Phase II of the AQI. The contract will be for one year, beginning in July 2007, and may be extended for up to two one-year terms, upon satisfactory performance, at the Board's discretion. Total expenditures for the contract shall not exceed $130,000 for the initial one-year period.

COMMITTEE:

Administrative, May 11, 2007, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Cordoba Corporation for one year, beginning July 2007, with options for up to two one-year term renewals, upon satisfactory performance, at the Board’s discretion. Total expenditures for the contract shall not exceed $130,000 for the initial one-year period.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

In October 2004, the Board approved an Environmental Justice Work Plan for FY 2004-05, which included among its elements, initial steps toward the creation of an Air Quality Institute (AQI) to address the educational needs of newly elected and appointed local and state officials, policymakers, and business and community leaders within AQMD. In January 2006, the Board approved an implementation plan for the AQI, including the development of a series of educational outreach sessions to brief and engage newly elected and appointed officials, policymakers, and business and community leaders on critical air quality issues.

A course curriculum was developed and a series of eight Air Quality Institute training sessions were held throughout the AQMD jurisdiction from August through December 2006, under a contract with Oralia Michel Marketing and Public Relations (OMMPR) and its subcontractor, Cordoba Corporation. Each training session consisted of a four-hour seminar, focused on: 1) Air Quality Overview; 2) Environmental Justice and Public Health; 3) Effects on the Southland Economy and Clean Technology Solutions. The training sessions were highly successful, with participation of over 160 leaders from different sectors. Participants included two state senators, four state assembly members, AFL-CIO and Teamsters union representatives, Commissioners from Los Angeles World Airports and the Ports of Long Beach, and several mayors and city council members.

In February 2007, the Board also approved under a sole source contract with Cordoba Corporation, two additional sessions of the AQI, one in Sacramento and the other in Washington, D.C. At the same time, the Board approved the release of RFP #P2007-24 for the implementation of Phase II of the AQI. The session in Sacramento was also very successful with participation by members of the state legislature and key staff. The AQI for Washington D.C. is currently being organized.

Outreach

In accordance with AQMD’s Procurement Policy and Procedure, a public notice advertising the RFP/RFQ and inviting bids was published in the Los Angeles Times, the Orange County Register, the San Bernardino Sun, and the Riverside County Press Enterprise newspapers to leverage the most cost-effective method of outreach to the entire South Coast Basin.

Additionally, potential bidders were also notified by mail, and over 600 RFP packages were mailed to public affair firms throughout the state. Notice of the RFP were also mailed to the Black and Latino Legislative Caucuses and various minority chambers of commerce and business associations, the State of California Contracts Register website, 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.

Bid Evaluation

Four proposals were received in response to the RFP. The proposals were evaluated and scored by a four-member evaluation panel. Of the four proposals evaluated, Cordoba Corporation’s proposal was judged to be the best. The attached matrix presents the scores and total proposal cost for the firms that applied.

Panel Composition

The composition of the evaluation panel consisted of a Regional Director of Advocacy of Southern California representing a medical organization, an Executive Director representing a local community organization, and two AQMD employees, including an Assistant Deputy Executive Officer, and the Health Effects Officer. Of these, one is Asian-Pacific Islander, two are Caucasian, and one is Hispanic; all male.

Resource Impacts

Funding for this contract is available in the Public Affairs FY 2007-08 Budget. Funding for the two optional one-year extensions is contingent upon Board approval of the Budget for the respective fiscal years. 

Attachment (XLS 14kb)
Evaluation Matrix