BOARD MEETING DATE: April 3, 2009
AGENDA NO. 9

PROPOSAL:

Issue RFP for the Refinement of Sub-county Geography for the AQMD.

SYNOPSIS:

AQMD has used the sub-county geography to assess socioeconomic impacts of the Air Quality Management Plan at the community level. Recent census data has shown increased urbanization along the I-15 corridor in San Bernardino County, southern Orange County, and western Riverside County. The goal of this RFP is to hire a contractor to use the U.S. census data to refine the current sub-county geography to reflect the growth in those areas.

COMMITTEE:

Administrative, March 13, 2009. Less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item; the members present communicated their concurrence and recommended that this item be forwarded for Board consideration.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve release of RFP #P2009-15 for the refinement of sub-county geography.
 

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

AQMD conducts socioeconomic impact assessments of the Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) that include costs, health benefits, and employment impacts based on the four-county geography. The assessment results are considered by the AQMD Governing Board when actions are taken on the AQMP. The assessments are performed at the sub-county level by grouping contiguous census tracts that have similar political, geographical, and social characteristics based on the 1990 and 2000 census at the tract and block levels. Currently, Los Angeles County is sub-divided into 11 regions, Orange County into four regions, and Riverside and San Bernardino Counties into two regions each (a total of 19 regions).
 

Proposal

In light of the increased urbanization along the I-15 corridor in San Bernardino County, southern Orange County, and western Riverside County, staff recommends that the Board authorize the release of RFP #P2009-XX to solicit proposals from qualified contractors to refine the existing 19-sub-county geography, using the most recent census data (including blocks and tracts). This action will allow sufficient lead time for the development of the socioeconomic framework for the next AQMP.
 

Outreach

In accordance with AQMD’s Procurement Policy and Procedure, a public notice advertising the RFP and inviting bids will be 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 be notified utilizing AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors. Notice of the RFP will be 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 where it can be viewed by making menu selections “Inside AQMD”/“Employment and Business Opportunities”/“Business Opportunities” or by going directly to http://www.aqmd.gov/rfp/index.html). Information is also available on AQMD’s bidder’s 24-hour telephone message line (909) 396-2724.
 

Bid Evaluation

Proposals received will be evaluated by a diverse, technically qualified panel in accordance with criteria contained in the attached RFP.
 

Resource Impacts

The maximum contract cost is $60,000 and funding is available in the FY2008-2009 budget for the Office of Planning, Rule Development and Area Sources.
 

Attachment (DOC, 813k)

RFP #P2009-15: Refinement of Sub-county Geography for the AQMD