BOARD MEETING DATE: June 5, 2009
AGENDA NO. 6

PROPOSAL:

Execute Contract to Conduct Performance Evaluation Program on Ambient Air Monitors

SYNOPSIS:

The guidelines of AQMD federal air monitoring programs specify activities to assure the validity of the data which include conducting performance evaluations on air samplers in the network. This action is to execute a contract with Technical & Business Systems, Inc. (T&B Systems) to conduct a performance evaluation program on the AQMD TSP, PM10, PM2.5 and PM2.5 speciation network for the FY 2009-10 term, in an amount not to exceed $34,883 from the FY 2008-09 budget.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, May 22, 2009, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Executive Officer to execute a contract with T&B Systems to conduct a performance evaluation program of the air monitoring samplers not to exceed $34,888 from the Professional and Special Services Account, in the Science and Technology Advancement FY 2008-09 Budget.
 

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR 50 Appendix B, J and L) specifies methods that air monitoring programs implement to compare ambient concentrations to the Federal Ambient Air Quality Standard. State and local air quality agencies are responsible for the operation of the networks within their jurisdiction. The guidelines of the AQMD and Federal Particulate Matter (PM) programs specify multiple levels of quality assurance (QA) activities to assure the validity of the data collected for these air monitoring programs which include conducting performance evaluations on every sampler in the network.

In April 2009, RFP #P2009-19 was released to solicit proposals from qualified independent contractors to conduct a PM sampler performance evaluation program for the AQMD monitoring network and to have responsibility to coordinate with CARB QA staff to ensure that all required performance evaluations are conducted on each PM sampler and that the AQMD meets all other U.S. EPA and CARB requirements for the PM sampler performance evaluation program.
 

Proposal

It is recommended that the Board authorize the Executive Officer to execute a contract with T&B Systems for an amount not to exceed $34,883 from FY 2008-09 Budget. The contractor will perform all semiannual performance evaluations that are required each calendar year on the AQMD TSP, PM10, PM2.5 and PM2.5 speciation network and quarterly performance evaluations on each of AQMD’s TSP samplers spread throughout the South Coast Basin in the FY 2009-10 term.
 

Outreach

In accordance with the AQMD’s Procurement Policy and Procedure, a public notice advertising the RFP and inviting bids was published in the Los Angeles Times, the Orange County Register, the San Bernardino Sun, and the Riverside County Press Enterprise newspapers to leverage the most cost-effective method of outreach to the entire South Coast Basin.

Additionally, potential bidders may have been notified utilizing AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors. Notice of the RFP was mailed to the Black and Latino Legislative Caucuses and various minority chambers on commerce and business associations, and placed on the Internet at the AQMD’s Web site (http://www.aqmd.gov). Information was also available on the AQMD’s bidders 24-hour telephone message line (909) 396-2724. The open solicitation period for this RFP was from April 3 until May 5, 2009.
 

Bid Evaluation

Only one proposal was received by the closing date as specified in the RFP and was reviewed by an evaluation panel. The evaluation panel consisted of three AQMD staff: one Program Supervisor for ambient monitoring section, one Senior Air Quality Chemists, and the Quality Assurance Manager; and an Air Monitoring Manager from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District who also participated in the evaluation process. The panel breakdown was as follows: two Asian, one Caucasian, and one Hispanic; all male. The evaluation process was conducted according to the criteria described in the RFP. Attachment A lists the compiled scores from bid reviewers. The panel judged the T&B Systems’ proposal as meeting the qualification criteria established in the RFQ. T&B Systems has extensive experience in providing ambient air monitoring auditing and is currently providing this service to the AQMD. T&B Systems has provided monitoring and audit services to governmental agencies including California Air resources Board and the US Environmental Protection Agency as well.
 

Resource Impacts

It is estimated that $34,883 for the FY 2009-10 term will be required for the contracted work. The $34,883 amount is budgeted in the Professional and Special Services Account in the FY 2008-09 Budget.
 

Attachment (DOC, ~35k)

A – Bid Reviewer Summary