BOARD MEETING DATE: December 4, 2009
AGENDA NO. 8
TITLE:
Reissue RFP for Technical Assistance for Advanced, Low- and Zero-Emissions Mobile and Stationary Source Technologies
SYNOPSIS:
On June 5, 2009, AQMD issued an RFP to solicit statements of qualifications from individuals and organizations capable of providing technical expertise in a variety of specialized areas to support AQMD’s technology advancement activities for the Clean Fuels program. In response to this RFP, on October 2, 2009, the Board approved executing contracts with seven contractors. However, the expertise of these contractors does not extend to some specialty areas that are required to meet the goals of the Clean Fuels program and to support AQMP implementation. This action is to reissue this RFP with an increased level of outreach to solicit proposals in some specialty areas.
COMMITTEE:
Technology, November 20, 2009, Recommended for Approval
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
Approve the release of the attached RFP #2010-14 for technical assistance for advanced, low- and zero-emissions mobile and stationary source technologies with multiple awards anticipated to total approximately $250,000, beyond those contracts approved at the October Board meeting.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
The Technology Advancement Office (TAO) administers and manages the pre-commercial research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) of low- and zero-emission technologies. The TAO program is a far-reaching effort, incorporating a mix of short-, medium-, and long-term goals, representing a continuum of technology improvements to achieve clean air standards in the South Coast Air Basin.
TAO periodically releases Request for Proposals (RFPs) for consultants to augment in-house expertise and assist staff in technical reviews, coordination of projects, and comparative analyses. Due to the rapid pace at which technologies are evolving, additional assistance is required for advanced, pre-commercial technology demonstration programs.
In June 2009, AQMD issued an RFP to solicit statements of qualifications from consultants to support AQMD’s technology advancement activities for the Clean Fuels program and to support AQMP implementation. On October 2, 2009, the Board approved executing contracts with seven contractors. However, the expertise of these contractors does not extend to some specialty areas that are required to meet the goals of the Clean Fuels program and to support AQMP implementation. Specifically in the areas of locomotives, on-road and off-road vehicles, emission inventory studies, combustion technologies, and zero- and near-zero emission technologies. Staff recommends reissuing this RFP with an increased level of outreach to solicit proposals in these specialty areas.
Request for Proposals
This RFP will solicit statements of qualifications from individuals and organizations capable of providing technical assistance in a variety of areas to support AQMP implementation and TAO activities. In each case, it will first be determined whether the work can be performed in-house. Although the staff is targeting specific areas of expertise, all the areas listed below are included to cast as wide a solicitation as possible. This RFP for technical assistance solicits experts in the following areas:
Mobile Applications
Low- and zero-emissions technologies for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles (on- and off-road applications), including:
Fuel cells, hybrids (electric, plug-in, hydraulic, and others), and alternative fuels;
Component (e.g., batteries and ultracapacitors) and system expertise (e.g., software controllers); and
Engines and exhaust treatment technologies (e.g. catalyst and trap systems).
Fuels
Fuel processing, reformulation, and emission analyses for:
Alternative and conventional fuels;
Biofuels (ethanol, biodiesel, and biomass);
Hydrogen infrastructure; and
Gas-to-liquid (GTL) fuels.
Stationary Applications
Advanced combustion technologies;
Advanced or innovative aftertreatment control technologies;
Renewable technologies; and
Fuel cell, hybrid, and hydrogen-energy co-production.
Emissions and Analyses
Toxic air contaminants from motor vehicles and their potential formation;
Health and safety issues related to new technologies;
Mobile source data compilation and analyses;
Advanced technology transition (bridging) analyses; and
Advanced technology assessments, including market penetration and consumer acceptance studies.
Bid Evaluation
Consultants will be selected through an open bidding process according to AQMD's Consultant Selection Policy and Proposals. Successful bidders shall be retained by level-of-effort contracts; therefore work assignments can be issued for specific needs and projects without requiring lengthy consultant selection processes for each individual project. It is anticipated that multiple awards for level-of-effort contracts will be made from this solicitation.
Outreach
In accordance with AQMD’s Procurement Policy and Procedure, a public notice advertising the RFP/RFQ 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 Air Basin. Outreach will also be done by contacting potential applicants using AQMD’s contractor database. It is anticipated that this increased level of outreach will help in soliciting qualified contractors in some specialty areas for the Clean Fuels program.
Additionally, potential bidders may be notified utilizing AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors. Notice of the RFP/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 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.
Benefits to AQMD
The proposed project supports the implementation of TAO’s RDD&D program. In addition, outside expertise will provide an effective means of evaluating new technologies and assessing emission reductions.
Resource Impacts
Multiple awards are anticipated from this RFP. Due to the indefinite nature of the work, the actual contract amounts cannot be determined at this time. The total amount of AQMD funding for the level-of-effort contracts is expected to be approximately $250,000, with the amount of funding allocated to each contract dependent upon the consultant's qualifications and AQMD needs. The Clean Fuels Fund will be used for awards made under this RFP.
Attachment (DOC, 901k)
RFP #2010-14 - Technical Assistance for Advanced, Low- and Zero-Emissions Mobile and Stationary Source Technologies