BOARD MEETING DATE: February 6, 2009
AGENDA NO. 9

PROPOSAL:

Execute Contract to Demonstrate Natural Gas-Powered Police Vehicles

SYNOPSIS:

There is an interest in the use of natural gas-powered vehicles in daily law enforcement activities. Such vehicles have been placed into police service. However, past generations of natural gas vehicles were not used as pursuit vehicles given their performance under such conditions. This action is to execute a contract with AFV Fleet Service to implement a natural gas-powered police interceptor demonstration program with the Cities of Redlands and South Pasadena. The total cost for this project is estimated to be at a cost not to exceed $85,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, January 23, 2009, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with AFV Fleet Service to implement a program to demonstrate two natural-gas powered police vehicles, for an amount not to exceed $85,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.
 

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Further progress in air quality goals and reductions in air toxic exposure depends on the commercial availability of alternative-fueled vehicles and other advanced emissions control technologies. There has been a greater demand for alternative-fueled vehicles given recent increases in gasoline fuel price and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. An opportunity to facilitate the expanded use of alternative-fuel vehicles in police vehicle applications has been identified. Various cities have expressed a desire to operate natural-gas powered police vehicles in routine law enforcement activities. Several cities have placed natural gas vehicles into police services. However, past generations of natural gas vehicles were not used as pursuit vehicles given their performance under such conditions. Two cities (South Pasadena and Redlands) have specifically expressed interest to use natural gas vehicles in police applications.
 

Proposal

Staff is proposing co-funding a program to demonstrate the use of natural gas Crown Victorias in police applications. The demonstration program would last for a period of two years, consisting of two components. The first component would fund the gasoline to natural gas conversion of an existing Crown Victoria police vehicle owned by the City of Redlands. This vehicle would be converted to dedicated natural gas operation by AFV Fleet Service using a BAF Technology certified conversion system. The second component would fund the purchase, conversion, and demonstration of a new 2008 or 2009 Crown Victoria police vehicle to operate on natural gas in the City of South Pasadena. The City of South Pasadena would own and operate this vehicle as part of the demonstration program. The cities of Redlands and South Pasadena would be responsible for refueling the natural gas-powered police vehicles including the cost of the natural gas fuel. In addition, the City of South Pasadena would be responsible for installing necessary equipment to specifically customize the police vehicle for operation in their city. The total cost for this project is estimated to be about $85,000, of which $75,000 includes the purchase of one gasoline-powered Ford Crown Victoria with the police package at a cost not to exceed $31,000 and the cost to convert the new gasoline-powered Crown Victoria and an existing gasoline-powered Crown Victoria owned by the City of Redlands to run on natural gas at a cost not to exceed $44,000 ($22,000 each including two-year maintenance). An additional $10,000 is proposed to cover the cost of preparing a final report ($5,000) and to cover unexpected costs ($5,000) such as parts that may arise during program implementation. As such, this action is to execute a contract with AFV Fleet Service to conduct this project at a cost not to exceed $85,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.
 

Sole Source Justification

Section VIII.B.2 of the Procurement Policy and Procedure identifies four major provisions under which a sole source award may be justified. This request for a sole source award is made under provision B.2.c.(1) and (2): The desired services are available from only the sole-source based upon one or more of the following reasons: (1) The unique experience and capabilities of the proposed contractor or contractor team; and (2) The project involves the use of proprietary technology.

The only gasoline to natural gas conversion system certified by CARB for the Ford Crown Victoria police vehicle model is a system solely manufactured by BAF Technologies. Nearly all West Coast installations of this conversion system are performed by AFV Fleet Service, among many other vehicle models. This company has a strong working relationship with BAF Technologies, performing about 90 to 95 percent of all gasoline to natural gas Crown Victoria conversions occurring on the West Coast. In addition, AFV Fleet Service provides service and support to owners of natural gas-fueled Ford Crown Victorias.
 

Benefits to AQMD

The AQMP relies upon the accelerated implementation of advanced technologies within Southern California to achieve federal and state ambient air quality standards and to further reductions in air toxic exposure. Because Crown Victorias are widely used in police vehicle applications, and these vehicles typically accumulate approximately 50,000 to 60,000 miles per year, significant emission reductions could be generated by the use of natural gas vehicles in this application. The BAF Technology gasoline to natural gas conversion system has been CARB certified as a super ultra-low emission vehicle. In addition, this demonstration program complements existing AQMD efforts to increase the commercialization of natural gas-powered vehicles used in taxicab applications. It should be noted that a significant number of Crown Victoria taxicab models originally begin service as police vehicles, and are purchased as used vehicles by taxicab fleets and converted for use as taxicabs.
 

Resource Impacts

The total amount of AQMD funding for this program shall not exceed $85,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund. Sufficient funds are available in the Clean Fuels Fund, which is established as special revenue from the state-mandated Clean Fuels Program. The Clean Fuels Program, under Health and Safety Code Sections 40448.5 and 40512 and Vehicle Code Section 9250.11, establishes mechanisms to collect revenues from mobile sources to support projects to increase the utilization of clean fuels, including the development of the necessary advanced enabling technologies. Funds collected from motor vehicles are restricted, by statute, to be used for projects and program activities related to mobile sources that support the objectives of the Clean Fuels Program.