BOARD MEETING DATE: January 8, 2010
AGENDA NO. 4

PROPOSAL:

Execute Contract for Development of Land Use Emission Model Software

SYNOPSIS:

On October 2, 2009, the Board approved release of an RFP to provide for the development of land use emission model software.  The software will be used by AQMD staff and will be made available to the public, at no cost, for the calculation of criteria and CO₂ emissions associated with land use development in California. Four proposals were received by the closing date of the RFP. This action is to execute a contract with Environ for an amount not to exceed $229,500. This item also seeks Board approval to appropriate funds not to exceed $299,500 from the Undesignated Fund Balance to Planning, Rule Development and Area Sources for the resulting contract.   

COMMITTEE:

Administrative, December 11, 2009, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

1. Appropriate $229,500 from the Undesignated Fund Balance to Planning, Rule Development and Area Sources Budget, for FY 2009-10, Services and Supplies Major Object, Professional and Special Services Account for the land use emission model software contract.
   
2. Authorize the Chairman of the Board to execute a contract with Environ for development of land use emission model software, in an amount not to exceed $229,500.
    

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

The Urban Emissions Model (URBEMIS) is a computer model that calculates the potential criteria and on-site CO₂ emissions associated with land use projects in California. The model estimates construction and operational air pollution emissions from a wide variety of land use development projects, such as residential dwelling units, shopping centers, recreational centers, and office buildings. The model also identifies and calculates emission reductions from mitigation measures selected for each land use development project for criteria pollutants. This model is widely used by local governments, private parties, and California air districts. The model was developed with public funds, including monies from AQMD. A dispute over ownership rights has occurred with Rimpo and Associates, the contractor who worked on the model. Therefore, at the October 2, 2009 meeting, the Governing Board approved release of RFP #P2010-10 to solicit proposals for the development of land use emission model software. From this RFP the AQMD sought the service of contractor(s) to develop land use emission model software which would estimate criteria and GHG emissions from construction, and operational activities. In addition the model is to calculate emission reductions from mitigation measures selected for each land use development project.  

Bid Evaluation

A voluntary bidder’s conference was held on October 22, 2009. Four (4) bids were received in response to the RFP when final bidding closed at 2:00 p.m. on November 6, 2009. Bids received were from CMC Americas, Environ, Gray Arrow, and Varsun eTechnologies Group Inc. Of the 4 responding bids, two were rated technically qualified to perform the work identified in the RFP; two did not achieve the minimum 56 points required to meet the technical criteria based primarily on little or no demonstrated experience analyzing land use projects or knowledge of CEQA.

The five member review Panel consisted of a Senior Environmental Planner from Bay Area AQMD, Transportation and Land Use Coordinator from Sacramento AQMD, and from the AQMD, one Systems and Programming Supervisor (Information Management), one Planning and Rules Supervisor (CEQA), and one Air Quality Specialist (CEQA). The breakdown of the five panelists is 2 Caucasian, 1 African-Caribbean, 2 Asian-Pacific Islander, 4 male, and 1 female. The results of the panel evaluation for proposal that achieved the minimum of 56 points for technical experience are provided below:

Proposals

Proposal

Based on the Panel’s evaluation, staff recommends awarding a contract to Environ. Environ is an environmental and health consulting firm with offices throughout the United States. Environ has demonstrated experience preparing criteria and GHG emissions analyses, control technology assessments, strategic analyses, regulatory compliance standards assessment and software development. The proposal submitted by Environ demonstrated detailed understanding of the land use software develop task and included recommendations for further enhancing the land use model’s analysis capabilities. The cost for the basic model development is $196,100. In addition to developing the basic land use emissions software for $196,100, the Environ Proposal includes four optional enhancements that would go beyond the capabilities of the existing URBEMIS model. One option adds a GHG module to the model with the following capabilities: 1) Offsite electricity generation GHG emissions; 2) Water use emissions; 3) Waste emissions; and 4) Vegetation change. This option has been selected to be incorporated into the software development. The cost for the additional GHG module is $33,400.

The total cost of the contract with Environ shall not exceed $229,500 from the Undesignated Fund Balance.

Outreach

In accordance with 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 Riverside County Press Enterprise newspapers to leverage the most cost-effective method of outreach to the entire South Coast Basin.

Additionally, potential bidders have been notified utilizing AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors. Notice of the RFP/RFQ was 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 website (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 was available on AQMD’s bidder’s 24-hour telephone message line (909) 396-2724.

Resource Impacts

Funding for this RFP shall be up to a maximum of $229,500 and is to be taken from the Undesignated Fund Balance and appropriated to the Planning, Rule Development and Area Sources FY 2009-10 Budget.