BOARD MEETING DATE: October 2, 2009
AGENDA NO. 8

PROPOSAL:

Execute Contracts for Technical Assistance for Advanced, Low- and Zero-Emission Mobile and Stationary Source Pollution Control Technologies under Clean Fuels and Carl Moyer Programs

SYNOPSIS:

On June 5, 2009, the Board approved the release of two RFPs to solicit proposals to provide technical assistance and public outreach support for advanced, low- and zero-emission mobile and stationary source pollution control technologies for the Clean Fuels Program and incentive programs. Eight proposals were received for the Clean Fuels Program and four were received for incentive programs. This action is to execute seven contracts with technical experts to provide consultation services at a total cost not to exceed $555,000 from the Clean Fuels Program. Further, this action is to execute three contracts with technical experts to provide consultation services for the Carl Moyer program at a cost not to exceed $330,000 from Carl Moyer Program Fund SB 1107 Account.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, September 25, 2009. Less than a quorum was present for the discussion of this item; the Committee member present communicated his concurrence and recommended that this item be forwarded for Board consideration.

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

1. Authorize the Chairman to execute the following contracts from the Clean Fuels Program Fund:

1. Burnett and Burnette for technical assistance with alternative fuel infrastructure, emissions analysis, and stationary sources in an amount not to exceed $120,000;
2. Clean Fuel Connection, Inc. for technical assistance with alternative fuels, renewable energy, and electric vehicles in an amount not to exceed $50,000;
3. Emisstar for technical assistance with emissions analysis, and low- and zero-emission vehicles in an amount not to exceed $80,000;
4. Gladstein, Neandross & Associates for technical assistance with alternative fuels, emissions analysis, and on-road sources in an amount not to exceed $75,000;
5. Joseph C. Calhoun, P.E. Inc. for technical assistance with low- and zero-emission vehicles, engine technology, stationary sources, and emissions analysis in an amount not to exceed $35,000;
6. Tech Compass for technical assistance with alternative fuels, fuel cells, emissions analysis, and aftertreatment technologies in an amount not to exceed $75,000; and
7. TIAX, LLC for technical assistance with low- and zero-emission vehicles, fuel cells, and fueling infrastructure in an amount not to exceed $120,000.

2. Authorize the Chairman to execute the following contracts from the Carl Moyer Program Fund SB 1107 Account:

1. Clean Fuel Connection, LLC., for technical assistance with the Carl Moyer program in an amount not to exceed $150,000;
2. Gladstein, Neandross & Associates for technical assistance with the Carl Moyer program in an amount not to exceed $80,000; and
3. TIAX, LLC for technical assistance with the Carl Moyer program in an amount not to exceed $100,000.
    

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The AQMP is the comprehensive regional plan for attaining federal air quality standards in the South Coast Air Basin. In addition to full implementation of current technologies and control methods, there is a need to further develop and promote technological breakthroughs. Air quality projections indicate that the federal standards for PM2.5 and ozone are not expected to be met without aggressive implementation of commercial technologies and accelerated development of new technologies.

The Technology Advancement Office administers two programs to accomplish these goals. The Clean Fuels Program supports projects to research develop, demonstrate, and deploy technologies to accelerate commercialization of clean, new technologies. The Carl Moyer Program and other similar programs provide incentive funding to end-users to implement the cleanest available technologies for various heavy-duty on- and off-road applications. Due to constant and rapid changes in technologies and the sheer breadth of the potential projects, staff occasionally requires input from experts and practitioners in-the-field to aid in selecting and establishing projects for the Clean Fuels and the Incentive programs.

At its June 2009 meeting, the Board approved RFP #P2009-22 for technical assistance for the Clean Fuels program and RFP #P2009-23 for incentive programs such as the Carl Moyer program. The RFPs solicited statements of qualifications from individuals and organizations potentially capable of providing technical assistance in a variety of areas to support staff activities. The RFPs sought companies or individuals to provide assistance in preparation of AQMP control measures; technical assistance for feasibility studies of stationary and mobile emission control technologies; emissions assessment of new alternative-fuel technologies; evaluation of innovative emissions control systems; assessment of economic, regulatory and technical barriers to the commercialization of clean fuels and advanced technologies, and to implement incentive programs.
 

Outreach

In accordance with AQMD’s Procurement Policy and Procedure, a public notice advertising the RFP/RFQ and inviting bids was 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 have been notified utilizing AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors. Notice of the RFP/RFQ has been 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. Information is also available on AQMD’s bidder’s 24-hour telephone message line (909) 396-2724.
 

Proposal Evaluations

Nine proposals were received in response to RFP #P2009-22 for the Clean Fuels program. One proposal was received after the RFP closed and was disqualified. The remaining eight proposals were evaluated and scored by a four-member panel in accordance with established AQMD guidelines and using the technical criteria outlined in the RFP. The panel consisted of one Technology Implementation Manager, one On-road Mobile Source Manager, one Off-road Mobile Source Manager, and one Technology Demonstration Manager. The panel breakdown was as follows: four males, two Caucasians and two Asians. The panel scores are shown in Table 1 of the attachment. The technical scores are based on the proponent’s expertise and experience.

For all of the proposals that qualified, staff added the cost effectiveness and additional points (a maximum of 15 points for small business or small business joint venture, disadvantaged veterans’ business or DVBE joint venture, use of DVBE or small business subcontractors, use of low emission vehicles, local business, and use of off-peak hours for delivery business). Based on these scores and current needs to effectively implement the Clean Fuels program, staff is recommending the funding levels for each of the proposers as shown in Table 2.

At the time RFP #P2009-22 was approved along with RFP #P2009-23, $1,000,000 was requested to provide the technical expertise in the areas of mobile source applications, fuels, stationary applications, emissions and analyses, and implementation activities. Given the quality of the expertise being offered, staff is proposing that seven of the proposals be awarded contracts with a cost not to exceed $555,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

In response to RFP #P2009-23 for technical assistance for implementation of incentive programs, four proposals were received among which three were from local consulting companies with past experience with the AQMD, the Ports and other local agencies in the Basin. Hence, staff recommends the Board approve execution of contracts with those three entities as listed in Table 2.

The following is a synopsis for each of the proposed contractors:
 

Proposed Awards

Staff is recommending that seven of the eight proposals be funded to provide technical assistance under the Clean Fuels Program at a cost not to exceed $555,000. Staff is also recommending that three proposals be funded to provide technical assistance for the Carl Moyer Program at a cost not to exceed $330,000.

Burnett and Burnette will provide technical assistance with the School Bus program, alternative fuel infrastructure, emissions analysis, and stationary sources in an amount not to exceed $120,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund. Mr. Herb Burnett (principal) has been involved with internal combustion engines and retail facilities for aviation, marine and vehicular fueling facilities for over 20 years. He worked extensively with vehicle manufacturers and conversion companies in the implementation of CNG vehicles.

Clean Fuel Connection, Inc. will provide technical assistance with electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and renewable energy in an amount not to exceed $50,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund. Clean Fuel Connection will also provide technical assistance with the Carl Moyer program at a cost not to exceed $150,000 from the Carl Moyer Program Fund SB 1107 Account. Ms. Enid Joffe (principal) has more than 15 years experience with low- and zero-emission technologies and renewable energy.

Emisstar will provide technical assistance with emissions analysis, and low- and zero-emission vehicles in an amount not to exceed $80,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund. The Emisstar team has many years of experience in the field of mobile source emissions related to deploying advanced low- and zero-emission vehicles in the marketplace.

Gladstein, Neandross & Associates (GNA) will provide technical expertise with alternative fueling infrastructure, emission analysis, and on-road sources in an amount not to exceed $75,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund. GNA will also provide technical assistance wit the Carl Moyer program at a cost not to exceed $80,000 from the Carl Moyer Program Fund SB 1107 Account. GNA has partnered with energy, transit, waste management and goods movement companies to develop projects such as the use of LNG in cargo handling equipment at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, evaluation of the feasibility of utilizing LNG in the Ports’ yard equipment, and the development of strategies to reduce emissions from construction and operations of the proposed LNG import terminal.

Joseph C. Calhoun, P.E. Inc. will provide technical expertise with stationary sources, engine technology, and aftertreatment technologies in an amount not to exceed $35,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund. Mr. Calhoun (principal) is a registered professional engineer with over 48 years of air quality experience, specifically 19 years with General Motors where he was responsible for environmental activities in California and supervision the vehicle certification testing. Most notably, Mr. Calhoun served for ten years as the Automotive Engineering Member of the CARB Governing Board.

Tech Compass will provide technical assistance with alternative fuels, fuel cells, emissions analysis, and aftertreatment technologies in an amount not to exceed $75,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund. Mr. Andris Abele (principal), has more than 28 years of professional experience in bringing environmental, energy, and alternative propulsion technologies from the laboratory to the market. He possesses in-depth knowledge of technology development and a breadth of experience in strategic planning and business development.

TIAX, LLC will provide technical assistance with the analyses, low- and zero-emission vehicles, alternative fuels, and fuel cells in an amount not to exceed $120,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund. TIAX will also provide technical assistance with the Carl Moyer program at a cost not to exceed $100,000 from the Carl Moyer Program Fund SB 1107 Account. Mr. Jon Leonard, TIAX Project Manager, has over 24 years experience with low- and zero-emission mobile source technologies, emissions testing, and alternative fuel vehicles.
 

Benefits to AQMD

The proposed awards will support the implementation of TAO’s Clean Fuels Program and the Carl Moyer Program. In addition, outside expertise will provide an effective means of evaluating new technologies and assessing emission reductions.
 

Resource Impacts

Sufficient funds are available in the administrative portion of the Carl Moyer Fund SB 1107 Account for the total cost of the proposed awards not to exceed $330,000.

Sufficient funds are available from the Clean Fuels Program Fund, established as a special revenue fund resulting from the state-mandated Clean Fuels Program to cover the proposed $555,000 for outside technical assistance. 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.
 

Attachment (DOC, 60k)

Table 1 – Average Scores for Proposers

Table 2 – Area of Expertise and Awards