BOARD MEETING DATE: November 7, 2008
AGENDA NO. 12

PROPOSAL:

Execute Sole Source Contract with Germania Government Services Corporation

SYNOPSIS:

The Board has recently directed staff to participate in the development of the next federal surface transportation reauthorization legislation. This effort will be directed at transportation spending so that air quality considerations are strengthened and incorporated at the policy level for reducing mobile source emissions. Germania Government Services Corporation is a well-established consulting firm that can assist AQMD with building coalitions with local transportation policy leaders, state officials and other stakeholders to advance AQMD’s agenda. One of the principals, Eric Haley, has over 30 years of experience in transportation and is well respected nationally. He can actively assist in the implementation of the Board’s directives in the area of transportation funding and policy developments. This action is to execute a contract with Germania Government Services Corporation to provide consultation and policy coordination services, in an amount not to exceed $100,000 for a 12-month period.

COMMITTEE:

Administrative, October 10, 2008, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a sole source contract with Germania Government Services Corporation in an amount not to exceed $100,000 for a 12-month period. 
 

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Mobile sources, including on-road vehicles, create the vast majority of air pollution in the South Coast Air Basin and other areas of the country, and contribute to severe health impacts including thousands of premature deaths every year. Particulate pollution alone is estimated to be associated with 6,200 premature deaths per year in the Basin.

As part of AQMD’s 2008 Legislative Agenda, the Board directed staff to focus on efforts to participate as much as practicable throughout the development of the next federal surface transportation reauthorization legislation in order to achieve changes in federal law such that our efforts to reduce emissions are maximized.

Throughout CYs 2009-10 and possibly beyond, there will be local, state and national attention focused on the federal surface transportation reauthorization bill, as it will dictate the federal transportation policies and priorities through 2015. This bill will establish not only funding formulas and priorities, but will authorize funding for specific projects and could significantly change the process for what and how funding is allocated in the transportation sector for years to come. This effort will be directed at transportation spending so that air quality considerations are strengthened and incorporated at the policy level for reducing mobile source emissions. While staff is knowledgeable about the transportation funding process and has access to federal advocates, it is necessary to understand and engage with the organizations and coalitions at the local and state levels who will play significant roles in the formulation of the next reauthorization bill.
 

Sole-Source Justification

Section VIII.B.2 of the Procurement Policy and Procedures identifies circumstances under which a sole source purchase award may be justified. This request for a sole source contract is made under provision VIII.B.2.c(1) – the unique experience and capabilities of the proposed contractor or contractor team. Eric Haley of Germania Government Services Corporation has expertise in policy issues that impact the surface transportation reauthorization legislation. Over several decades, he has acquired in-depth knowledge, experience, and skills in transportation policy and air quality issues, and has an extensive network of relationships with leaders in local government, business community, and the transportation sector. However, unlike most others with such knowledge, he does not currently work for a transportation agency or a private company with an interest in transportation funding decisions.

A veteran of the past three reauthorization debates, Mr. Haley is the former executive director of the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) where he worked for nearly a decade guiding one of the most aggressive transportation planning agencies in the state. Before joining RCTC, Mr. Haley worked for nine years handling legislative affairs in Sacramento and Washington D.C. for San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) and also represented SANBAG at the AQMD. He is also a past chair of the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC).
 

Proposal

Authorize the Chairman to approve a sole source contract with Germania Government Services Corporation in an amount not to exceed $100,000 for a 12-month period. 
 

Resource Impacts

Funding for the contract is available in the Public Affairs FY 2008-09 Budget.