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PROPOSAL 

Issue RFQ for Transportable Continuous Emissions Monitoring System

SYNOPSIS: 

In the RECLAIM Program Three-Year Audit and Progress Report, submitted to the Governing Board on May 8, 1998, staff recommended exploring additional monitoring requirement options to minimize facility implementation cost as well as ensure program enforceability. In follow-up, staff recommends the release of an RFQ for the acquisition of a Transportable Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS) to assist RECLAIM facilities in their efforts to develop and validate alternative CEMS monitoring approaches. In addition, the equipment would be a valuable tool to augment field inspection and compliance efforts through direct stack testing. Funding for this equipment will be proposed for appropriation from the fund balance designated for enhanced compliance activities.

COMMITTEE: 

Not applicable

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve the release of the attached Request for Quotations for a Transportable Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS).

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

During the past five years, facilities and staff have worked together to effectively implement the RECLAIM program. In the RECLAIM program Three-Year Audit and Progress Report, submitted to the Governing Board on May 8, 1998, the working group identified monitoring as one area to pursue additional enhancement. In that report, staff recommended exploring additional monitoring requirement options to minimize implementation costs as well as ensure program enforceability. The acquisition of a transportable continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS) will assist RECLAIM facilities in their efforts to develop and validate alternative CEMS monitoring approaches.

As the local economy has flourished, a number of facilities have increased production and exceeded RECLAIM rule thresholds established to define major source equipment required to have CEMS equipment installed. Some of these facilities operate equipment that pose harsh environments and other special challenges for the design and on-going maintenance of this continuous monitoring equipment. The RECLAIM rules provide that Alternative Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (ACEMS) may be designed and installed in cases where traditional CEMS may not be practical. To certify these systems the RECLAIM protocols require ACEMS installations be tested side-by-side with traditional CEMS for 30 days to establish system validity. The cost of this parallel testing, usually involving use of a mobile source testing/monitoring van, averages $150,000. District acquisition of a transportable CEMS would allow staff to make this equipment available to certain facilities to demonstrate viability of ACEMS at lower cost and encourage the development of alternative monitoring systems.

Outreach

In accordance with the AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, a public notice advertising the RFQ and inviting bids will be published in the following publications:

Additionally, potential vendors will be notified from the Los Angeles County MTA and Cal Trans Directories of Certified Minority, Women, Disadvantaged and Disabled Veterans Business Enterprises; the Inland Area Opportunity Pages Ethnic/Women Business & Professional Directory; AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors; and AQMD Purchasing’s mailing list. Notice of the RFQ will be mailed to the Black 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 & Job Opportunities" icon] and AQMD’s bidder’s 24-hour telephone message line (909) 396-2724.

Resource Impacts

Funding for this equipment will be proposed for appropriation from the fund balance designated for enhanced compliance activities at the time the successful bid is presented to the Governing Board for consideration.

Attachments

RFQ #2000-04

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