BOARD MEETING DATE: October 3, 2003
AGENDA NO. 9

Issue Program Announcement for Production and Supply of 5,000 Electric Lawn Mowers for AQMD’s Lawn Mower Incentive Program

SYNOPSIS:

To follow up on the successful Lawn Mower Exchange Programs held in the spring of 2003, staff proposes to offer a similar incentive in the spring of 2004 to generate cost-effective emission reductions. This program announcement is to solicit competitive bids to manufacture cordless electric lawn mowers which can meet specifications for the incentive program in sufficient quantities and at the lowest possible price.

COMMITTEE:

Mobile Source, September 26, 2003, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve issuance of Program Announcement #PA 2004-02 for production of 5,000 electric lawn mowers for the Lawn Mower Exchange Incentive Program.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env
Executive Officer

Background

In the spring of 2003, AQMD conducted four lawn mower exchange events where people exchanged their operable gasoline-powered lawn mowers with zero emission cordless electric lawn mowers. The program was funded by Rule 2202 Air Quality Investment Program (AQIP.) This exchange has helped mitigate substantial amount of pollutants. Due to the success of this program, additional events are being considered for the spring of 2004. In the prior events, individuals exchanging their lawn mowers paid the participating retailer $150, inclusive of sales tax. AQMD paid the difference minus the rebate offered by the manufacturer. A similar arrangement is anticipated in the future events.

Proposal

The purpose of this Program Announcement is to solicit competitive proposals from qualified manufacturers for the production and supply of cordless electric lawn mowers to be used in the lawn mower exchange program in the South Coast Air Basin. The goal of this proposal is to identify potential manufacturers/suppliers and products for AQMD’s lawn mower exchange program at the lowest possible price. Proposals from the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) are to include the following:

• Detailed product specifications
• Manufacturers suggested retail price
• AQMD’s net price
• Supply commitment
• Lead time
• Details of assistance to be provided at the lawn mower exchange events.

Proposal Evaluation

Priority will be given to the product that meets the specifications listed in the Program Announcement. The ability to supply the units in time for the lawn mower exchange program in the spring of 2004 at the lowest possible price would be equally important.

Outreach

In accordance with the AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, a public notice advertising the RFP and inviting bids will be published in the following publications:
 

1.	Antelope Valley Press	10.	Korea Central Daily	19.	Precinct Reporter
2.	Black Voice News	11.	La Opinion	20.	Press Enterprise
3.	Chinese Daily News	12.	La Prensa Hispana	21.	Rafu Shimpo
4.	Desert Sun	13.	La Voz Publications	22.	San Bernardino Sun
5.	Eastern Group Publications	14.	Los Angeles Daily News	23.	State of California Contracts
6.	El Chicano	15.	Los Angeles Sentinel		Register
7.	El Informador	16.	Los Angeles Times	24.	The Excelsior
8.	Inland Empire Hispanic News	17.	Orange County Register	25.	The Signal
9.	Inland Valley Daily Bulletin	18.	Philippine News	26.	Wave Community Newspapers

Additionally, potential bidders will be identified from the Los Angeles County MTA and Caltrans Directories of Certified Minority, Women, Disadvantaged and Disabled Veterans Business Enterprises; the Inland Area Opportunity Pages Ethnic/Women Business & Professional Directory; the AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors; and AQMD Purchasing’s mailing list. Notice of the RFP will be 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 24-hour telephone message line for bidders (909) 396-2724.

Resource Impact

Amount of funding will be decided after the selection of a contractor from the submitted proposals. Funding will be provided from Rule 2202 AQIP fund.

Attachment

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