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PROPOSAL:

Execute Contract for Data Collection to Track Effectiveness of
Voluntary Ridesharing and Other Emission Reduction Activities Among Employer Worksites Exempted from Rule 2202

SYNOPSIS: 

Tracking the effectiveness of voluntary ridesharing and other emission reduction measures among employer worksites exempted from Rule 2202 - On-Road Motor Vehicle Mitigation Options is essential to estimate the magnitude of the emission reduction shortfall and how it changes over time. An RFP was released to seek a qualified contractor to collect the necessary survey data to estimate the emission reduction shortfall for the year 1999. The proposals received have been evaluated, and this action is to execute a contract with Haug International in an amount not to exceed $79,787. The funds for this contract are included in the FY 1999-2000 Budget.

COMMITTEE: 

Mobile Source, September 24, 1999, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Haug International to collect survey data from deregulated employers and their employees, at a cost not to exceed $79,787.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The 1997 study in response to SB 836 (Lewis-1997), to assess the effectiveness of voluntary ridesharing and other Rule 2202 replacement measures, was completed and released to the public on March 18, 1998. The study showed that the air quality benefits produced by voluntary efforts were less than what would have occurred if these worksites of 100-249 employees had continued to be subject to Rule 2202. However, as a result of the passage of SB 432 (Lewis-1998) in June 1998, worksites of 100-249 employees were permanently deregulated from Rule 2202.

Tracking the effectiveness of voluntary ridesharing and other emission reducing activities among deregulated employers is essential to estimating the magnitude of the resulting emission reduction deficit to Rule 2202 and how it changes over time. This type of analysis calls for collecting data from the deregulated employers to quantify the changes in the travel behavior of their employees, or in the use of emission reduction strategies at their worksites, that have taken place since their initial exemption from Rule 2202, effective January 1997.

To ensure data consistency and comparability over time, the proposed approach will replicate the methodology and data collection forms used as part of the evaluations of voluntary ridesharing conducted in 1997 and 1998. Replicating the methodology requires conducting two surveys: a survey of employers to determine the voluntary implementation of emission reduction options during 1999, and a survey of employees to assess their travel behavior during 1999. The information collected through these two surveys will be used to assess the effectiveness of voluntary efforts and to estimate the annual emission reduction deficit associated with the permanent exemption of these employers.

On August 13, 1999, RFP #9900-04 was released to seek a qualified contractor to conduct surveys of deregulated employers. The purpose of the surveys is to collect information on the travel behavior of employees and to determine the use of emission reduction strategies at their worksites. This information will be compared with similar data collected in 1997 and 1998 to determine the magnitude of the emission reduction shortfall in 1999.

Proposal Evaluation

A total of two proposals were received by the deadline of September 14, 1999. All proposals submitted were reviewed according to the selection criteria described in the RFP. Proposals were evaluated according to technical criteria, cost, and small/local business and DVBE status. Attachment 1 summarizes the selection criteria and the ratings for each proposal.

The two proposals received in response to the RFP have been thoroughly evaluated and staff recommends that the contract be awarded to Haug International, the consultant submitting the highest scoring proposal, for $79,787.

The evaluation panel was comprised of two females and one male, and included an AQMD Transportation Specialist and an Air Quality Specialist from Transportation Programs, and a Manager of Rideshare Services representing the Southern California Association of Governments. The ethnicity of the panel consisted of one Asian/Pacific Islander and two Caucasian.

Outreach

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

 

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

Additionally, potential bidders were identified through Los Angeles County MTA and Caltrans Directories of Certified Minority, Women, Disadvantaged and Disabled Veterans Business Enterprises; the Inland Area Opportunity Pages Ethnic/Women Business & Professional Directory; the AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors; and AQMD Purchasing’s mailing list. Notice of the RFP was 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 and Job Opportunities" icon] and on AQMD’s bidder's 24-hour telephone message line (909) 396-2724.

On August 27, 1999, a non-mandatory Bidders Conference was convened at AQMD to discuss the RFP and to answer questions from the four prospective bidders attending the conference.

Resource Impact

Sufficient funding for this data collection contract is available in the FY 1999-2000 Budget.

Attachment

1. Summary of Evaluation of Proposals Responding to RFP #9900-04

Surveys to Track the Effectiveness of Voluntary Ridesharing
and Other Emission Reduction Options
RFP #9900-04
Proposal Ratings

The panel reviewed the proposals and evaluated them on the bidder’s ability to perform the services specified in the RFP based on a two-step process. Proposals were first evaluated using technical criteria, which included understanding of the project, technical/management expertise, and contractor qualifications. Step 2 of the evaluation process required an evaluation of the technically qualified proposals using "cost and other factors" which included cost, and DVBE/small business designation. The average scores assigned by the evaluation panel for the two proposals submitted are shown in the table below.

Step 1 – Technical Criteria (56 points minimum, 70 points maximum)

	Genesis Data, Inc	Haug International
Technical Criteria	*	59.0

Step 2 – Cost and Other Factors (45 points maximum)

	Genesis Data, Inc.	Haug International
Cost	N/A	30.0
DVBE	N/A	0
Small Business Certification	N/A	0
Local Business	N/A	N/A
Total Score	Scored Below Minimum Threshold	89.0

*Proposal did not meet the minimum technical requirement.

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