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PROPOSAL: 

Execute Contract to Purchase Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer for Liquid and Headspace Analysis

SYNOPSIS: 

On September 10, 1999, the Board approved the release of an RFQ to purchase a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer for the laboratory to analyze liquids and headspace of material samples. This action is to execute a contract with Thermo Quest Finnigan in the amount of $82,997 for the purchase of a Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer. Funds for this purchase are available in the FY 1999-00 Budget.

COMMITTEE: 

Administrative, November 19, 1999, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Procurement Manager to execute a contract with Thermo Quest Finnigan in the amount of $82,997 for the purchase of a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer for liquid and headspace analysis.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

On September 10, 1999, the AQMD released RFQ #2000-01 to competitively select a vendor from which to purchase a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) for the laboratory. The GC/MS is a replacement instrument. The current instrument is over 15 years old and parts are no longer available for maintenance and repair. The replacement GC/MS will continue the function of analyzing liquids and headspace samples for organic compound analyses in support of Clean Air Solvent and toxics programs, as well as VOC and other rule compliance and development efforts.

Proposal

This action is to purchase a Finnigan MAT Trace GC/MS, for the laboratory from the successful bidder, Thermo Quest Finnigan in the amount of $82,997.

Outreach

In accordance with the AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, public notices advertising the RFQ and inviting bids were published in the following publications:

1.	Antelope Valley Press	10.	La Opinion	19.	Precinct Reporter
2.	Black Voice News	11.	La Voz	20.	Rafu Shimpo
3.	Chinese Daily News	12.	Los Angeles Daily News	21.	Riverside Press Enterprise
4.	Eastern Group Publications	13.	Los Angeles Sentinel	22.	San Bernardino Sun
5.	El Chicano	14.	Los Angeles Times	23.	Santa Clarita Signal
6.	Excelsior, The	15.	M/W/DVBE Source	24.	State of California Contracts
7.	Inland Empire Hispanic News	16.	Orange County Register		Register
8.	Inland Valley Daily Bulletin	17.	Palm Springs Desert Sun
9.	Korea Central Daily	18.	Philippine News

A listing of open RFQs was made available to various legislative caucuses, community groups, trade organizations, chambers of commerce and other interested parties at the time the Notice Inviting Bids/Proposals is submitted for publication.

Additionally, potential bidders were identified using the Los Angeles County MTA Directory of Certified Minority, Women, Disadvantaged and Disabled Veterans Business Enterprises; the Inland Area Opportunity Pages Ethnic/Women Business and Professional Directory; AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors; and AQMD Purchasing’s mailing list. Notice of the RFQ was mailed to the African-American and Latino Legislative Caucuses and various minority chambers of commerce and business associations; and placed on the Internet at AQMD’s Web site [http://www.aqmd.gov, "Business and Job Opportunities" icon] and AQMD’s 24-hour telephone message line for bidders (909) 396-2724.

Bid Evaluation

Six quotations were received when bidding closed at 2:00 p.m. on October 12, 1999. Attachment A summarizes the comparison of the specifications and performance of the six instruments quoted. Two bidders (Cole/Shimadzu and Perkin Elmer) were determined to be non-responsive because they did not include cost quotations for certain essential components which were specified in the RFQ.

An evaluation panel was convened to evaluate the six instruments according to the criteria described in the RFQ. The panel consisted of three AQMD Air Quality Chemists and one Principal Air Quality Chemist; one Asian/Pacific Islander, two Caucasian, and one Hispanic; two female and two male. The panel, based on its evaluation, determined that the Finnigan MAT Trace GC/MS substantially met all of the specifications at the lowest price of all technically acceptable bids. There were a few minor deviations from specifications that were considered not to have a significant impact on the utility of the instrument for AQMD purposes.

Resource Impacts

Sufficient funds are available in the FY 1999-00 Budget under Fixed Asset #16 for the purchase of the GC/MS instrument.

Attachments

Quotation Evaluation of GC/MS for Liquid and Headspace Analysis, RFQ #2000-01

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