PROPOSAL:
Execute Contracts for Technical Assistance for Advanced, Low- and
Zero-Emission Mobile and Stationary Source Pollution Control Technologies
SYNOPSIS:
On December 2001, the Board approved the release of an RFP to solicit
proposals to provide technical and public outreach support assistance for
advanced, low- and zero-emission mobile and stationary source pollution
control technologies. Fourteen proposals were received. Submittals have
been reviewed. Staff recommends executing contracts with seven technical
experts to provide consultation services at a total cost not to exceed
$185,000 to be funded from the Clean Fuels Program.
COMMITTEE:
Technology, April 26, 2002, Recommended for Approval
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
- Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Ms. Cindy Sullivan
for technical assistance for the development, outreach, and
commercialization of heavy-duty engine technologies in an amount not to
exceed $15,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.
- Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Engine, Fuel and
Emissions Engineering, Inc. for technical assistance for the development,
outreach, and commercialization of natural gas engine technology in an
amount not to exceed $30,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.
- Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Mr. Jerald A. Cole
for technical assistance for the development, outreach, and
commercialization of hydrogen infrastructure and reforming technology in
an amount not to exceed $30,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.
- Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Mr. Neil C. Otto for
technical assistance for the development, outreach, and commercialization
of fuel cell technology in an amount not to exceed $30,000 from the Clean
Fuels Fund.
- Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Rose Communications
for technical assistance for the development, outreach and
commercialization of fuel cells and the technical coordination with
federal energy and transportation departments in an amount not to exceed
$25,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.
- Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with SynchroEnergies for
technical assistance for the development, outreach, and commercialization
of advanced fuel additives and lubricants in an amount not to exceed
$25,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.
- Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with the University of
California at Riverside for the development, outreach, and
commercialization of clean fuels technologies, hydrogen and fuel cell
technologies, and natural gas engine technologies in an amount not to
exceed $30,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
The Air Quality Management Plan (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 management
practices, near-term advances in current technologies and technological
breakthroughs are needed. Air quality projections indicate that the federal
standards for ozone is not expected to be met without such breakthroughs.
Regular revisions to the AQMP are based on the most current information on
technology advancements.
In 1988, the Board adopted a Clean Fuels Program and formed the
Technology Advancement (TA) Office to administer and manage the program. The
TA program is a far-reaching effort, incorporating a mix of short-, medium-,
and long-term goals, representing a three-tiered approach to achieve clean
air in the Basin. As a result, the breadth of the TA program includes
demonstrations of nearly commercial technologies as well as support for
research studies of technologies to be developed. The scope of the TA
program also considers all potential sources of air pollution emissions in
the Basin, including both stationary and mobile sources.
At the December 2001 meeting, the Board approved RFP #2002-23 for
technical assistance to the Technology Advancement program. The purpose of
that RFP was to update the list of qualified technical assistance
contractors to ensure that the AQMD can obtain the best expertise available.
The RFP solicited statements of qualifications from individuals and
organizations potentially capable of providing technical assistance in a
variety of areas to support AQMP implementation and TA activities. The RFP
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; VOC control, coating reformulation and curing, and assessment of
economic, regulatory and technical barriers to the commercialization of
clean fuels and advanced technologies; and other activities as needed.
Proposal
Staff proposes to award level-of-effort contracts to seven individuals
and organizations to provide technical expertise to the Clean Fuels Program
on an as-needed basis. The proposed contractors, including areas of
expertise, are described under Selection Process.
Outreach
In accordance with the AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, a
public notice advertising the RFP and inviting bids was published in the
following publications:
| 1. |
Angeles Mesa Wave, The |
11. |
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin |
21. |
Palm Springs Desert Sun |
| 2. |
Antelope Valley Press |
12. |
Korea Central Daily |
22. |
Philippine News |
| 3. |
Black Voice News |
13. |
La Opinion |
23. |
Precinct Reporter |
| 4. |
Central News Wave |
14 |
La Prensa Hispana |
24. |
Rafu Shimpo |
| 5. |
Chinese Daily News |
15. |
La Voz |
25. |
Press Enterprise |
| 6. |
Eastern Group Publications |
16. |
Los Angeles Daily News |
26. |
San Bernardino Sun |
| 7. |
El Chicano |
17. |
Los Angeles Sentinel |
27. |
Santa Clarita Signal |
| 8 |
El Informador |
18. |
Los Angeles Times |
28. |
The Wave |
| 9. |
Excelsior, The |
19. |
M/W/DVBE Source |
29. |
State of California Contracts |
| 10. |
Inland Empire Hispanic News |
20. |
Orange County Register |
|
Register |
Additionally, potential bidders were notified from the Los Angeles County
MTA and Cal Trans Directories of Certified Minority, Women, Disadvantaged
and Disabled Veterans Business Enterprises; the Inland Area Opportunity
Pages Ethnic/Women Business & Professional Directory; AQMD’s own electronic
listing of certified minority vendors; and AQMD Purchasing’s mailing list.
Notice of the 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 Web site [http://www.aqmd.gov, "Business
and Job Opportunities" icon] and AQMD’s bidder’s 24-hour telephone
message line (909) 396-2724.
Selection Process
Fourteen proposals were received in response to the RFP. The proposals
were reviewed and scored by six evaluators, four evaluators were Science and
Technology Advancement staff, one evaluator was from National Renewable
Energy Laboratory, and one evaluator was from California Air Resources
Board. The evaluators were all male, three were Asian and three were
Caucasian.
Seven contractors were selected for recommendation, based on evaluation
of expertise as related to the needs of the Clean Fuels Program and cost and
availability of the proposer. Five proposers did not receive the required
minimum points for technical expertise and, therefore were disqualified
prior to the second rating stage.
Upon review of the technologies being pursued by the AQMD and the
technical expertise currently available, the areas of expertise were further
defined at the time of evaluation. The Clean Fuels Program currently
requires expert knowledge and experience in the areas of heavy-duty engine
technologies, natural gas engine and infrastructure technologies, hydrogen
reforming technology, hydrogen infrastructure, fuel cell technology,
administration and coordination of fuel cell programs, and lubricant
technology development. The qualified proposers and scores, in rank order,
are as follows:
| Proposer |
Area of Expertise
Considered |
Hourly Rate |
Score |
Award Proposed |
| Cindy Sullivan |
NG Engine & Infrastructure |
98.00 |
102 |
$ 15,000 |
| Jerald A. Cole |
H2 Infrastructure |
100.00 |
102 |
30,000 |
| Neil C. Otto |
Fuel Cell |
125.00 |
101 |
30,000 |
| SynchroEnergies |
Lubricant Technologies |
100.00 |
99 |
25,000 |
| Rose Communications |
Fuel Cell & Technical Coordination |
155.00 |
91 |
25,000 |
| Engine, Fuel and Emissions Engineering,
Inc. |
NG Engine & Infrastructure |
149.57 |
90 |
30,000 |
| Longitude 122 West |
H2 Infrastructure |
130.00 |
88 |
|
| University of California at Riverside
|
Multiple Areas |
47.56
to 130.11 |
83 |
30,000 |
| Arthur D. Little |
Fuel Cell/H2 Infrastructure |
$150.00 |
79 |
|
| Total Awards |
|
|
|
$185,000 |
The proposed contractors were selected based upon their fields of
expertise and their experience. Following is a synopsis for each of the
proposed contractors:
Ms. Cindy Sullivan will provide expert consultation for heavy-duty
vehicle control technologies and off-road vehicles and equipment in the
amount not to exceed $15,000. Ms. Sullivan currently has a contract in the
amount of $30,000 to provide technical assistance and outreach for the
Strategic Alliance Initiative No. 3, Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership, to
provide technical assistance for natural gas vehicles, and to provide
technical assistance for administration of the Carl Moyer Program. Ms.
Sullivan will provide additional expertise in clean fuels control
technologies and off-road vehicles and equipment.
Engine, Fuel, and Emissions Engineering, Inc. (EF&EE) will provide
expert consultation on natural gas engine technology, with funding in an
amount not to exceed $30,000. EF&EE currently has a contract with the AQMD
in the amount of $35,000 for technical assistance regarding alternative fuel
engines. Christopher Weaver, the firm’s current president, brings over 19
years of experience in the areas of internal combustion engine technology,
fuels, combustion, and emission controls. Mr. Weaver will provide expertise
with the measurement and control of fine particulate emissions from diesel
vehicles; emission measurements and control technology for trucks, buses,
railway locomotives, and other heavy-duty diesel vehicles; natural gas, and
other "clean" fuels for vehicles. Mr. Weaver also has experience and can
provide assistance with environmental economics, cost-effectiveness and
policy analyses.
Mr. Jerald A. Cole will provide expertise for hydrogen
infrastructure and reforming technology, with funding in an amount not to
exceed $30,000. Mr. Cole’s 22 years of experience includes analysis of the
market for stationary fuel reformers for the hydrogen refueling market,
analysis of potential markets for fuel cell based distributed power systems,
and analysis of future California regulatory actions as a result of the
sales of stationary reciprocating engine power generation systems. Mr. Cole
has worked with CARB, CEC, DOE, and EPA and has established relationships
with numerous equipment manufacturers in fuel processing industries.
Mr. Neil C. Otto will provide expertise for fuel cell development
and technologies, with funding in an amount not to exceed $30,000. Mr. Otto,
a recognized international expert in fuel cell business applications, served
as President of Ballard Automotive for five years, Vice-President of Science
Applications International for 10 years, and is currently serving as
President of the Board of Directors of the World Fuel Cell Council. With a
total of 27 years experience in electrochemical systems development and
business development of electrochemical systems, Mr. Otto’s technical
knowledge includes fuel cell technology, hydrogen infrastructure
development, and fuel processing and reformation.
Rose Communications will provide expertise in fuel cell technology
and administrative coordination with the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S.
Department of Transportation, with funding in an amount not to exceed
$25,000 regarding the Fuel Cell Task Force Implementation. Rose
Communications currently has a contract in the amount of $50,000. Since
1990, Bob Rose, President of Rose Communications, has provided specialized
support for the AQMD’s TA program to assist with commercialization of fuel
cells and other low- and zero-emission technologies. Mr. Rose is the
founding Executive Director of the U.S. Fuel Cell Council and Executive
Director of Breakthrough Technologies Institute.
SynchroEnergies will provide expertise in lubricant technologies,
with funding in an amount not to exceed $25,000. Mr. Tom Sheahan worked for
the Lubrizol Corporation for 38 years; his last position held at Lubrizol
was Managing Director, Legislative and Regulatory. Mr. Sheahan will provide
in-depth knowledge in the areas of fuels and lubricants, combustion,
alternative energy sources, and high performance technologies.
University of California at Riverside (UCR) will provide expert
technical assistance in various research areas in an amount not to exceed
$30,000. UCR currently has twelve contracts including evaluating the effects
of biodiesel and other clean fuel blends on exhaust emission rates and
reactivity, analysis of the effectiveness of on-board diagnostics, and
effects of alternative diesel fuel formulation on exhaust emission rates and
reactivity. The UCR staff offers technical expertise in a number of research
areas. Although as a whole, UCR did not rate as highly as other entities,
the expertise of individuals are needed for areas such as advanced
vehicle/transportation technologies and systems, atmospheric measurement and
modeling, and renewable energy.
Benefits to AQMD
AQMD’s Clean Fuels Program has supported the development and
demonstration of low emission, alternative fuel technologies since its
inception in 1988. The broad range of technologies being developed, from
alternative fuel cars to fuel cells, requires that the AQMD have access to
specific expertise on an as-needed basis. The proposed level-of-effort
contracts will provide this access. They will be utilized on a task order
basis, and only after it is determined that the information or expertise
required is not available in-house.
Resource Impacts
These contracts are included in the March 2002 Technology Advancement
Plan under Technology Transfer and Assessment, CFT-1, Assessment and
Technical Support of Advanced Technologies and Information Dissemination.
Total amount proposed for the level-of-effort contracts shall not exceed
$185,000. Sufficient funds are available from the Clean Fuels Program Fund,
established as a special revenue fund resulting from the state-mandated
Clean Fuels Program. The Clean Fuels Program, under Health and Safety Code
40448.5 and 40512 and Vehicle Code 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.
/ / / |
