BOARD MEETING DATE: March 7, 2008
AGENDA NO. 7

PROPOSAL:

Issue Purchase Order for Ion Chromatograph System

SYNOPSIS:

In October 2007, the Board approved release of an RFQ to purchase an ion chromatograph system. The U.S. EPA has provided funding for this analytical instrument as part of the PM2.5 grant fund allocation. Two bids were received and evaluated. This action is to issue a purchase order to Dionex® Corporation at a cost of $88,816 for an ion chromatograph system.

COMMITTEE:

Not Applicable

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

1. Authorize the Procurement Manager to execute a purchase order with Dionex® Corporation for the purchase of an ion chromatograph system for an amount of $88,816.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Since 1998, U.S. EPA has provided funds under a Section 103 Grant for a comprehensive PM2.5 air monitoring program. To date, there are 19 ambient monitoring stations operating 22 PM2.5 samplers under U.S. EPA funding. In addition, U.S. EPA has supported the expansion of the network to collect continuous PM mass information at several sites within the South Coast Air Basin. This augmentation substantially adds to the fine particulate data which will help in the characterization of air quality conditions and health impacts.

Currently, the laboratory conducts PM speciation for ions and hexavalent chromium using two ion chromatography systems. The current system requires extensive maintenance due to age and is no longer supported by the manufacturer. In October 2007, the Board approved the U.S. EPA Section 103 Grant Funding for PM2.5 and authorized the release of RFQ #Q2008-10 to competitively solicit bids for the purchase of an ion chromatograph system.

Proposal

Staff is recommending that the Board approve issuance of a purchase order with Dionex® Corporation for an amount of $88,816 for the purchase of an ion chromatograph system. The purchase order amount was decided based upon the overall cost package submitted, including annual maintenance warranties, and consumption of parts and consumables.

Outreach

In accordance with AQMD’s Procurement Policy and Procedure, a public notice advertising the RFP/RFQ and inviting bids was 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 have been notified utilizing AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors. Notice of the RFP/RFQ has been 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 was also available on AQMD’s bidder’s 24-hour telephone message line (909) 396-2724.

Bid Evaluation

On October 5, 2007, the Board approved the release of RFQ #Q2008-10 to competitively select a vendor from which to purchase the ion chromatograph system. At the close of the solicitation on November 6, 2007, two quotations were received. An evaluation panel was convened to evaluate the bids. The three-member panel consisted of an Air Quality Specialist from CARB, an AQMD Principal Air Quality Chemist, and a Senior Air Quality Chemist. The panel’s ethnicity and gender breakdown was as follows: one African-American, one Asian; and one Caucasian; one female, two male.

Of the two bids submitted, it was determined by the evaluation panel that the instrument configuration quoted by Dionex® Corporation met the specifications of the RFQ; their bid received the higher overall score of 96 and their quoted cost is the lesser of the two quotes.

Therefore, staff recommends that the Board authorize the Procurement Manager to issue a purchase order with Dionex® Corporation for an amount of $88,816 for the purchase of an ion chromatograph system as configured in the submitted bid.

Resource Impacts

U.S. EPA Section 103 Grant funding for PM2.5 will fully support the purchase of the ion chromatograph system. The $88,816 cost for the system is in the FY 2007-08 Science and Technology Budget, Capital Outlay Major Object.