BOARD MEETING DATE: November 2, 2007
AGENDA NO. 9

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve the release of the attached Request for Proposals #P2008-11 for technical assistance on advanced, low- and zero-emission technologies and implementation activities in the amount of $500,000.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

In order to accelerate the attainment of the federal air quality standards in the South Coast Air Basin, full implementation of current technologies and management practices are needed along with the continued push for technology breakthroughs.

The Technology Advancement Office (TAO) administers and manages both the implementation of incentives as well as the pre-commercial research, development, demonstration, and deployment activities. The TAO program is a far-reaching effort, incorporating a mix of short-, medium-, and long-term goals, representing a continuum of technology improvements to achieve clean air in the Basin. As a result, the breadth of the TAO program includes aggressive implementation of early-commercial technologies as well as support for research and development of longer-term, promising technologies for both stationary and mobile sources.

TAO periodically releases a Request for Proposals (RFP) for consultants to augment in-house expertise, and assist staff in technical reviews, coordination of projects, comparative analyses, and implementation of incentive programs. Due to the rapid pace at which technologies are evolving, additional assistance is requested for advanced, precommercial technologies. In addition, there are several state funding programs (Proposition 1B and School Bus Fund) being initiated which are anticipated to provide over $200 million to the South Coast region. Expert consultants are requested to assist staff in establishing the procedures for the implementation of these funds, should they become available.

Request for Proposals
The RFP for technical assistance solicits experts in the following areas:

Mobile Applications
Low and zero-emission technologies for light-, medium-,and heavy-duty vehicles (on- and non-road applications), including

• Fuel cells, hybrids (electric, plug-in, hydraulic, and others), and alternative fuels;
• Component (e.g., batteries and ultracapacitors) and system expertise (e.g., software controllers); and
• Engines and exhaust treatment technologies (e.g. catalyst and trap systems).

• Fuels processing, reformulation, and emissions analyses for
• Alternative and conventional fuels;
• Biofuels (ethanol, biodiesel, and biomass);
• Hydrogen infrastructure; and
• Gas to liquid (GTL) fuels.

Stationary Applications

• Advanced combustion technologies;
• Advanced or innovative aftertreatment control technologies;
• Renewable technologies; and
• Fuel cell, hybrid, and hydrogen-energy co-production.

Emissions and Analyses

• Toxic air contaminants and their potential formation;
• Health and safety issues related to new technologies;
• Mobile source data compilation and analyses;
• Advanced technology transition (bridging) analyses; and
• Advanced technology assessments, including market penetration and consumer acceptance studies.

Implementation Activities

Support for implementing incentive activities including but not limited to

• Technology analyses and comparisons, including cost-effectiveness;
• Development, evaluation and implementation of program guidelines;
• Proposal evaluations;
• Infrastructure evaluation and inspections; and
• Outreach to fleets for implementing clean technologies.

This RFP will solicit statements of qualifications from individuals and organizations capable of providing technical assistance in a variety of areas to support AQMP implementation and TAO activities. In each case, it will first be determined whether the work can be performed in-house.

Bid Evaluation

Consultants will be selected through an open bidding process according to AQMD's Consultant Selection Policy and Proposals. Successful bidders shall be retained by level-of-effort contracts; therefore work assignments can be issued for specific needs and projects without requiring lengthy consultant selection processes for each individual project. It is anticipated that multiple awards for level-of-effort contracts will be made from this solicitation.

Outreach

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

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/RFQ 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.

Benefits to AQMD

The proposed project supports the implementation of advanced alternative fuel technology that could potentially be used to reduce PM, NOx, CO, VOC and hydrocarbon emissions from mobile and stationary sources. In addition, outside expertise will provide an effective means of evaluating new technologies and assessing emissions.

Resource Impacts

The total amount of AQMD funding for the level-of-effort contracts will not exceed $500,000, with the amount of funding allocated to each contract dependent upon the consultant's qualifications and AQMD needs.

Attachment (DOC 948kb)

RFP #P2008-11-Technical Assistance for Advanced, Low- and Zero-Emission Technologies and Implementation Activities.