BOARD MEETING DATE: May 4, 2007
AGENDA NO. 8

PROPOSAL:

Issue RFP for Consultant for Program Management of BP Settlement Funding Projects and Program Announcement for Pilot Technical Assistance Project for Community Groups

SYNOPSIS:

The Board allocated $6 million from the BP Settlement Funds for various air quality and public health related projects. Two of the projects selected for funding were Consultant for Program Management of BP Settlement Funding Projects and Public Benefits Programs and Pilot Technical Assistance Projects for Community Groups. This action is to issue an RFP for the contractor selection and a Program Announcement for soliciting proposals for community technical assistance.

COMMITTEE:

Administrative, April 13, 2007, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

1. Issue RFP #2007-30 for Consultant for Program Management of BP Settlement Projects, in an amount not to exceed $60,000, from Fund 46.
2. Issue Program Announcement #2007-12 for Pilot Technical Assistance Projects for Community Groups in the amount of $60,000 total, from Fund 46.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

As part of the BP settlement in 2005, $6 million was allocated towards projects that would improve air quality or public health in the areas served by AQMD.

On April 7, 2006, the Board held a Study Session to review the projects and seek input for funding consideration. At this meeting, 18 projects were approved, representing a majority of the funding available. Staff was directed to return to Committee for further discussions regarding the balance of available monies. On April 14, 2006, the Administrative Committee recommended three additional projects for funding from the initial allocation of $6 Million, which were approved by the Board in May 2006.

Two of the projects that were approved for funding were $60,000 for a RFP to select a Consultant to assist with program management of BP settlement projects and $60,000 for Pilot Technical Assistance Projects for Community Groups.

Proposal

Staff proposes to issue RFP #2007-30 to solicit proposals for a Consultant for Program Management of BP Settlement Projects, in an amount not to exceed $60,000. A consultant will help administer/coordinate the various projects funded through the
$6 Million BP Settlement Funding and a separate Public Benefits Program. The intent of this RFP is to contract with an outside representative to manage the projects that have been approved previously and provide monthly status reports on progress made in program implementation. The selected Contractor would also be responsible for keeping AQMD management informed of key contract milestones, including deliverables and processing of invoices. There are not sufficient staff resources available to oversee management of this program.

Staff also proposes to release Program Announcement #2007-12 for Pilot Technical Assistance Projects for Community Groups, in an amount not to exceed $60,000. The goal of this pilot program is to provide resources to community groups to facilitate education and training to better understand the complex technical and scientific air quality issues. In the absence of such funding, these opportunities may not have materialized, and such assistance ensures that the community can be more prepared to participate in the AQMD’s regulatory process and other air quality issues.

Benefits to AQMD

The successful implementation of these two projects are expected to result in enhanced air quality mitigation, public health benefits and other health treatment to residents of impacted areas, including minorities and low-income communities.

Resource Impacts

Sufficient funding is available from the BP Settlement Fund (Fund 46).

Attachments (EXE 29mb)

1. RFP #2007-30 for Program Management of BP/ARCO and Public Benefits projects
2. Program Announcement #2007-12 for Pilot Technical Assistance Project for Community Groups