BOARD MEETING DATE: February 1, 2008
AGENDA NO. 8
PROPOSAL:
Amend Contract with Sonoma Technology, Inc. to Provide Technical Support for AQMD PAMS Upper Air Meteorological Monitoring Network
SYNOPSIS:
On November 4, 2005, the Board awarded a new contract with Sonoma Technology, Inc (STI) to provide technical support for the AQMD PAMS Upper Air Monitoring Network, with options for three annual contract renewals. Due to the addition of two new stations, annual costs have increased, so staff recommends increasing funding by $10,000 to $70,000 for this renewal option. Based on STI’s responsiveness and satisfactory performance, staff recommends exercising the second of three one-year renewal options in STI’s contract for an amount not to exceed $70,000, bringing the contract total to $190,000 for ongoing field support of the PAMS upper air meteorological stations and data management. Funding for this contract amendment is allocated in the EPA 16th Year Section 105 Grant for the PAMS program.
COMMITTEE:
Administrative, January 11, 2008, Recommended for Approval
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Authorize the Executive Officer to amend the existing contract with Sonoma Technology, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $70,000 to exercise the second of three one-year renewal options to provide continued technical support for the AQMD PAMS Upper Air Meteorological Monitoring Network.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
As part of the U.S. EPA PAMS Program, comprehensive measurements of meteorological parameters have been collected in the South Coast Air Basin since 1994, using a network of radar wind and temperature profilers, acoustic wind profilers and tower-mounted meteorological sensors. Data from the upper air measurement stations is routinely used for air quality forecasting and event analyses and had been invaluable for regional modeling efforts. Since 2003, AQMD has utilized consultants to provide operational support, due to the limited availability of staff resources to maintain this valuable network. In addition to the routine site operations and data support, the contract effort also enhances the utility of the upper air data for regional modeling and its accessibility to the public and other agencies.
On June 3, 2005, RFP #P2005-24 was released to solicit consultants capable of providing technical support for the operation of the AQMD PAMS upper air meteorological monitoring network, as a contract with multi-year renewal options to provide for greater continuity of the measurements. On November 4, 2005, the Board awarded a contract to Sonoma Technology, Inc. (STI) for this effort, with future-year renewals for up to $60,000 per year, based upon availability of funds and satisfactory contractor performance. On June 1, 2007, the Board awarded the first $60,000 renewal of this contract, which was delayed by the availability of the EPA funding. Since the start of this contract the number of stations in the upper air network has increase from three to five, necessitating an increase in the contract amount for the additional support.
STI has provided excellent service under this contract, which has included installation and testing of the radar wind and temperature profiler in Irvine, preparations for a new upper air station in the north San Fernando Valley, and relocation of the Moreno Valley station and, as well as the continuing maintenance of all five stations, data archives and web access. Data recovery percentages have been high and the data collected has been proven to be an important component of analyses and modeling efforts. Due to increasing costs and the addition of the new stations, staff requests that the award amount be increased to $70,000 for this renewal option.
Proposal
Based on STI’s responsiveness and satisfactory performance, staff recommends exercising the second of three one-year renewal options in STI’s contract for an amount not to exceed $70,000.
Resource Impacts
Funds for this contract amendment have been earmarked from the U.S. EPA Section 105 Grant for the PAMS 16th Year program. These funds were recognized, appropriated and reallocated by the Board at the October 5, 2007 meeting (Agenda No. 14) to Planning, Rule Development and Area Sources under Contracts – Technical Support (26530-67450). Since this contract uses PAMS pass-through funds, it will not impact AQMD staffing or fiscal resources.