PROPOSAL:
Authorize Purchase of Frequency Filter Modification for Ontario Radar
Wind Profiler
SYNOPSIS:
Due to radio frequency interference from the Automatic Vehicle
Identification System at Ontario International Airport, the AQMD radar
wind profiler at this location is not able to obtain accurate wind
measurements. The Airport worked with staff to adjust their operating
frequencies as much as is feasible, but this has not eliminated the
problem. Vaisala Inc., the profiler manufacturer, has developed a
modification that will filter the interfering signals. The total cost for
this modification is approximately $6,500, requiring Board approval as a
capital outlay. Funding for this new fixed asset is available in the FY
2001-02 Budget from the EPA Section 105 Grant supplement for the PAMS
Program.
COMMITTEE:
Administrative, March 8, 2002, Recommended for Approval
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
- Authorize the Procurement Manager to issue a purchase order for a
frequency filter modification to the Ontario radar wind and temperature
profiler from Vaisala Inc., at a cost not to exceed $6,500;
- Transfer funds from the major object Services and Supplies
Professional and Special Services account to the major object Capital
Outlays.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
In 1996, AQMD installed a Vaisala Inc. (formerly Radian/URS) Model
LAP-3000 radar wind and temperature profiler at the Ontario International
Airport to help fulfill PAMS upper air monitoring requirements. In 1999,
shortly after the new airport terminals at Ontario became operational, AQMD
noticed a significant reduction in the quality and height range of the wind
and temperature profiles. Through a lengthy process, it was determined that
a radio frequency transmitter for the airport's automatic vehicle
identification (AVI) system was interferring with the radar echoes received
by the AQMD instrument. The AVI system tracks taxicabs and busses that
service the airport terminals. Airport staff and consultants worked closely
with AQMD to identify which AVI transmitter created the interference and
AQMD purchased a new AVI transmitter for the airport to change the frequency
farther from that of the AQMD radar. While this improved the measurements
somewhat, it did not solve the problem.
Vaisala, Inc., the profiler's manufacturer, developed changes to the
final amplifier to narrow the receiver bandwidth, which should filter the
interfering signals without affecting the operational specifications of the
radar. Vaisala provided a price quotation for the materials and labor at a
cost of $6,000, plus taxes. This will be a sole-source purchase since
Vaisala is the only company making or servicing this equipment. EPA PAMS
funding that was earmarked for relocating the Ontario site will be used for
the frequency filter modification, as this should eliminate the need to
relocate. This change to the PAMS expenditures was discussed with and
accepted by EPA.
Proposal
Staff is recommending that the Board authorize the purchase of a
frequency filter modification to the Ontario radar wind and temperature
profiler from Vaisala Inc. Staff further recommends reallocating existing
PAMS funds from the major object Services and Supplies Professional and
Special Services account to the major object Capital Outlays for this
purpose.
Sole Source Justification
Section VIII(B) of the Procurement Policy Procedure identifies four major
provisions under which a sole source award may be justified. This request
for sole source award is made under provisions B.2.c: The desired services
are available from only the sole-source based upon (1) The unique experience
and capabilities of the proposed contractor or contractor team; (2) The
project involves the use of proprietary technology; and (3) The contractor
has ownership of key assets required for project performance. Since Vaisala
Inc. is the sole manufacturer and commercial vendor of this radar
instrumentation, they are uniquely experienced and capable of modifying it.
Such work requires the use of proprietary technology and key assets that
Vaisala has uniquely developed for work on these instruments.
Resource Impacts
AQMD does not have the technical expertise or resources to make the
necessary modifications to the radar system. The purchase and installation
of this modification uses existing PAMS pass-through funds and will not
impact AQMD staff or fiscal resources.
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