BOARD MEETING DATE: February 1, 2008
AGENDA NO. 10
PROPOSAL:
Approve Budget for Air Monitoring Station Improvements and Issue Purchase Orders
SYNOPSIS:
Some of the components in AQMD’s 35 air monitoring station network are in need of repair or replacement. Some of the older modular trailers currently being used need to be replaced with new station shelters. Other stations will need to undergo significant maintenance, including roof repair and electrical upgrades. This action is to appropriate $161,000 from the Undesignated Fund balance to the FY 2007-08 Budget for necessary station improvements and issue purchase orders for new station shelters.
COMMITTEE:
Administrative, January 11, 2008, Recommended for Approval
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
1. Appropriate $161,000 from the Undesignated Fund Balance to the Major Objects in Science and Technology Advancement’s FY 2007-08 Budget as set forth in Attachment 1; and
2. Authorize the Procurement Manager to execute a sole-source purchase order with Martin Container, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $132,000 for the purchase of seven (7) Air Monitoring Station Shelters including tax and shipping;
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
The AQMD ambient air monitoring network consists of 35 air monitoring stations throughout the AQMD jurisdictional area. The purpose of the network is to collect ambient air quality data as required by U.S. EPA and to track trends in air quality for planning purposes. Portions of the monitoring network have been in place for over 40 years, and a number of the monitoring station structures are currently in need of maintenance or refurbishment.
Proposal
Staff has surveyed all of the network station structures and the corresponding maintenance and shelter replacement needs. For approximately $161,000, the air monitoring stations in greatest need of improvements can be overhauled to improve the sites and surrounding areas as well as to provide secure, safe, long-lasting shelters to house the air quality monitoring instruments. The air monitoring stations to be upgraded with these funds include Lynwood, Compton, Anaheim, Rubidoux, Redlands, Crestline, Pasadena, La Habra, West Los Angeles and Indio. Each of the structures to be replaced is at least 25 years old.
The estimated cost includes $132,000 for seven new converted shipping container station shelters of various sizes, which have been proven to provide a cost-effective, secure, and structurally sound shelter alternative to the older modular trailers currently being used. These containers have been successfully deployed in many special monitoring studies such as MATES III and the Port Area Monitoring Program. Therefore, staff recommends that the Board authorize the Procurement Manager to issue a sole-source purchase order with Martin Container, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $132,000 for the purchase of seven station shelters.
The remaining $29,000 will be used for other station improvements such as moving costs, landscaping, electrical work, safety improvements, and costs associated with shelter placement and set-up.
As such, this action is to allocate $161,000 for the purchase of the station shelters and for the additional station improvements from the Undesignated Fund Balance to the Major Objects in Science and Technology Advancement’s FY 2007-08 Budget as set forth in Attachment 1.
Sole Source Justification
A sole-source award is authorized under Sections IV.B. of the Procurement Policy and Procedure when a purchase does not lend itself to substitution. Section VIII, (B) (2) of the Procurement Policy and Procedure identifies four major provisions under which a sole-source award may be justified.
The requests for sole-source purchases of the replacement station shelters are made under Section VIII, B.2.c(1) and (3) of the Procurement Policy and Procedure: The desired services are available from only the sole-source based upon the unique experience and capabilities of the proposed contractor or contractor team; (2) The project involves the use of proprietary technology; and (3) The contractor has ownership of key assets required for project performance. All of the new station shelters have been purchased from Martin Container, Inc. as a result of an RFQ issued in 2003. Only two bids were received at that time, and one was disqualified for lack of relevant experience. Therefore, this single vendor is the only known vendor with the unique expertise and capabilities required. In addition, Martin Container has developed and owns plans for a custom-designed station shelter that uniquely meets AQMD’s requirements.
Resource Impacts
The amount of $161,000 is being requested from the Undesignated Fund Balance.
Attachments (XLS 23 kb)
1 – Proposed Station Improvement Expenditures
