BOARD MEETING DATE: December 5, 2008
AGENDA NO. 9

PROPOSAL:

Issue RFP to Implement Phase II HEROS Program

SYNOPSIS:

Under Phase I of the HEROS Program, potential high-emitting vehicles were identified through remote sensing at freeway on-ramps. Owners of potential high emitters, meeting specific eligibility requirements, were invited to participate in this voluntary incentive program for vehicle repair or scrapping. While the technical approach to identify, test, and repair or scrap high emitters was proven in Phase I, there was a low participation rate due to the voluntary nature of the program. As such, the goal in the proposed Phase II of the program is to achieve a higher participation rate. To achieve this, staff is proposing that pre-qualified participants would bring their vehicles to weekend events at which vehicles would be pre-screened for high emissions. This action is to approve issuance of an RFP to solicit bids from qualified vendors to develop and implement the proposed Phase II of the HEROS Program at a cost not to exceed $1,600,000 from the AB 923 Fund.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, November 21, 2008

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Approve release of RFP #P2009-10 to develop and implement Phase II of the HEROS Program.
 

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The AQMD has a long history implementing programs to reduce mobile source related emissions, including programs that encourage the use of low-emission vehicles for purposes of achieving state and federal ambient air quality standards. The Board has adopted several programs to reduce emissions from on-road and off-road vehicles, as well as emissions from other equipment, including the School Bus Incentive Program and the Carl Moyer Program.

On September 23, 2004, the Governor signed AB 923 (Firebaugh) which resulted in a significant increase in funding for programs that achieve emission reductions from vehicular sources and off-road engines. At its February 2005 meeting, the Board established the AB 923 special revenue account under the Carl Moyer Fund to receive and administer funds authorized under provisions of AB 923. The Board also approved the allocation of $4 million for a light-duty vehicle remote sensing, vehicle repair/scrapping program under AB 923.

Phase I of the High Emitter Repair or Scrap (HEROS) Program was initiated in March 2007, at which time the remote sensing component of the program began. Screening of potential high emitting vehicles was performed at freeway on-ramps through remote sensing. Once identified as potential high emitters, DMV data was obtained for the vehicles, and with this information, Voluntary Accelerated Vehicle Retirement (VAVR) eligibility was determined. Owners of eligible vehicles were mailed letters inviting them to participate in the program, with potential incentives being offered of up to $500 in vehicle repairs or $1,000 for vehicle scrapping. Low-income eligible participants qualified for another $1,000 incentive for replacement of the scrapped vehicle with a CARB-certified Low Emission Vehicle. While the technical aspects of the Program have been proven, the voluntary nature of the program has not provided sufficient participation.

The goal of this second phase of the program is to achieve a higher program participation rate by drawing interested, pre-qualified participants into advertised weekend events for vehicle pre-screening. Owners of vehicles identified as potential high emitters would then be eligible to schedule appointments for confirmatory emissions testing at select smog check station. The objective of the second phase is to scrap or repair about 3,000 high-emitting vehicles.
 

Proposal

Staff is proposing that contractor services be retained to implement the second phase of the program to identify high-emitting light- and medium-duty vehicles operating within AQMD’s jurisdiction and reduce these vehicles’ emissions through a voluntary repair or retirement program.

Staff is proposing six tasks for the second phase of the HEROS program. An RFP #P2009-10 - High-Emitter Repair or Scrap Program, Phase II, will solicit contractors with expertise to perform six functions. These six functions are described below.

1. Marketing/Outreach Activities
   The purpose of this function is to generate public awareness and interest to draw in a large number of pre-qualified participants with high-emitting vehicles into weekend events for vehicle pre-screening. Effective outreach would result in participants who are willing to participate in the program, with eligible participants proceeding to subsequent steps which include confirmatory smog check testing, and subsequent repair or scrapping of vehicles. The objectives are to provide sufficient outreach to support vehicle scrapping/repair goals as indicated under Task 5. Pre-qualified participants would meet all applicable specifications identified for CARB's Voluntary Repair of Vehicles (VRV) and Voluntary Accelerated Vehicle Retirement (VAVR).

2. Establishment and Management of Call Center
   A bilingual call center would be responsible for responding to inquiries generated by marketing/outreach, pre-screening potential participants for Moyer Program eligibility by accessing a database maintained by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), scheduling event appointments for pre-screened participants, and making reminder calls before events. The objectives are to provide sufficient call center response to support vehicle scrapping/repair goals as indicated in the fifth element.

3. Conduct Weekend Events
   Weekend events would be held at locations throughout the four counties that are served by the AQMD, with the goal of screening as many vehicles as possible in an organized, effective manner, and optimizing the next step, the scheduling of confirmatory testing of emissions-screened vehicles. Contractor will obtain permits, provide security, event staffing, traffic management, and event signage for venue locations. Vehicle emissions would be screened using the most effective approach, which may include but would not be limited to, remote sensing and tailpipe measurements, with or without a dynamometer. Vouchers would be distributed for vehicles deemed eligible for confirmatory smog check testing at select smog check stations. Representatives from smog check stations would be present at the events to schedule appointments for confirmatory smog check testing.

4. Data Collection/Tracking/Analysis
   Database and web application software would be developed and implemented to document and report all aspects of program activities related to program marketing and call center activities, event activities, repair station vehicle emission testing and repair, and vehicle scrapping. HEROS I database and web application software would be used to the greatest extent feasible for cost minimization purposes.

5. Vehicle Testing/Repairs/Scrapping
   Pre-screened potential high emitting vehicles would receive confirmatory emissions tests, and vehicles meeting Carl Moyer Program eligibility requirements for the VRV and VAVR would be repaired or scrapped with the objective of having 4,500 to 5,600 eligible vehicles receive confirmatory smog check tests and to have at least 3,000 eligible vehicles repaired or scrapped through the program. This function would include the procurement of testing and repair services at select smog check stations; the authorization, oversight, and tracking of appropriate smog check tests, repairs and invoicing for eligible vehicles.

6. Project Reporting
   For this function, reports would be completed to monitor the progress and effectiveness of the HEROS Phase II program. Reports would be comprehensive so as to include data obtained from the different program functions.

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 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, the State of California Contracts Register website, and placed on the Internet at AQMD’s Web site (http://www.aqmd.gov). Information is also available on AQMD’s bidder’s 24-hour telephone message line (909) 396-2724.
 

Benefits to AQMD
As emission contributions from stationary sources become a smaller component of the AQMD’s emissions inventory, the focus has been directed at mobile source emissions. Mobile source emissions represent a major category of the emissions inventories for both ozone and fine particulate matter. This proposed program focuses on the light- and medium-duty category which is a major category in the on-road emissions inventory. With the State of California having primary authority to control emissions from mobile sources, the HEROS program has been a voluntary program for consumers interested in reducing emissions from their vehicles either via a repair assistance program or a vehicle retirement and replacement program. The proposed second phase of this program would be geared to optimize the participation rate of this voluntary program.
 

Resource Impacts
The total amount of AQMD funding for this RFP shall not exceed $1,600,000 from the AB 923 Fund. Staff recommends issuing an RFP for the associated marketing/outreach activities; establishment and management of a call center; conducting weekend events; data collection/tracking/analysis; vehicle testing/repairs/scrapping; and project reporting.

Attachment (DOC, 862k)

RFP #2009-10 - RFP for High-Emitter Repair or Scrap Program, Phase II