PROPOSAL:
Issue RFP for Rule 2202 Air Quality Investment Program and Issue
Program Announcements for Electric Lawn Mower and Low Emission Leaf Blower
Vendors
SYNOPSIS:
One of the compliance strategies under Rule 2202 allows employers to
invest in the AQIP. Monies received are placed in a restricted account to
fund programs that result in equivalent emission reductions that would
otherwise have been achieved by the participating employers. This action
is to release a new RFP to solicit proposals to achieve emission reduction
targets. To follow up on the successful Lawn Mower Exchange and Leaf
Blower Exchange Programs, staff proposes to offer similar incentive in the
Spring 2007 to generate cost-effective emission reductions. This action
is to issue two separate program announcements to solicit competitive bids
from manufacturers of cordless electric lawn mowers and low-emission leaf
blowers in sufficient quantities at the lowest possible price.
COMMITTEE:
Mobile Source, September 22, 2006, Recommended for Approval
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
- Approve issuance of RFP# P-2007-13 to solicit proposals to achieve
emission reduction targets set by Rule 2202 AQIP.
- Approve issuance of Program Announcement and Application PA# 2007-03
for production of up to 4,000 electric lawn mowers for the Lawn Mower
Exchange Incentive Program with an option to conduct the program one
additional year.
- Approve issuance of Program Announcement and Application PA # 2007-02
to identify potential manufacturers/suppliers of low-emission/low-noise
backpack leaf blowers capable of providing up to 2,000 units.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env
Executive Officer
Background
Rule 2202 Air Quality Investment Program (AQIP) allows affected employers
to participate by electing to invest in an AQMD-administered restricted
fund. Investment can be either $60 annually per employee reporting to the
worksite during the 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. peak window, or $125 triennially
per employee. The restricted monies are to be used by the AQMD to fund
proposals that achieve mobile source emission reductions that would
otherwise have been achieved by implementing a rideshare program.
Upon registering under this option and submitting the designated
investment amount, an employer is considered to be in compliance with the
Rule and there is no need for the employer to take further action to reduce
mobile source emissions. The collected monies are used to fund alternative
mobile source emission reduction strategies that reduce mobile source
emissions at a more cost-effective rate which could potentially result in
greater overall emission reductions.
Proposals
Rule 2202 AQIP
To determine qualified projects for funding under Rule 2202 AQIP, the
Board previously approved an RFP that was released on a periodic basis.
Staff is proposing a revised RFP under Rule 2202 AQIP as described below.
Proposals will be scored collectively by overall cost-effectiveness for a
combination of VOC, NOx, and CO emissions reductions and then divided into
the following separate categories:
- Off-road diesel repowering
- Old-vehicle scrapping
- On-road alternative fuel projects
- Mobility enhancing services
- Marine vessel repowering
- Miscellaneous
Proposals will then be ranked by score within each category. In order to
meet the emission reduction targets for the three individual pollutants,
proposals generating required emission reductions may be selected
irrespective of their overall score. For example, a project ranked third
overall may not be selected if the next highest ranking project provides
greater emission reductions to meet the needed targeted reductions for an
individual pollutant. As such, proposals from all categories may not be
selected and the highest ranking proposals in each category may not
necessarily be recommended for award, whereas more than one proposal may be
chosen from a particular category. This is because the overall
cost-effectiveness is calculated based on a combination of three pollutants,
whereas projects may be chosen to meet the emission reduction target for an
individual pollutant. The project selection will be based first on a
combination of highest ranking proposals to meet the required VOC target.
The remaining project proposals that can provide the needed NOx emissions
reductions will be selected next, followed by the selection of project
proposals that generate the needed CO emission reductions
The proposals would require AQMD/CARB/U.S. EPA emission reduction
quantification protocols.
Staff believes that a significant portion of the available funds should
be allocated to on-road mobile source related projects since one of the
primary objectives of Rule 2202 AQIP is to achieve equivalent emissions
reductions in those areas where rideshare programs would have otherwise been
implemented. As such, at least 60 percent of the total available AQIP funds
is proposed to be allocated to on-road mobile source projects including
old-vehicle scrapping. The remaining 40 percent will be disbursed among the
four remaining categories with no minimum for any one category. If there
are insufficient on-road mobile source proposals or old-vehicle scrapping
proposals that would satisfactorily achieve the total emission reduction
target at the 60 percent funding minimum, Staff proposes that a greater
number of projects from the other categories be selected (beyond the 40
percent funding level) in order to achieve the overall emission targets.
Lawn Mower Exchange Program
In Spring 2006, AQMD conducted seven lawn mower exchange events where
operable gasoline powered lawn mowers were exchanged for zero emission
cordless electric lawn mowers. The program funded by the Rule 2202 AQIP,
has helped mitigate a substantial amount of emissions. Individuals
exchanging their lawn mowers paid the participating retailer $100, inclusive
of sales tax. AQMD funds cover the difference minus the rebate offered by
the manufacturer. Due to the success of this program, staff believes
additional events should be considered in spring 2007.
The purpose of this Program Announcement is to solicit competitive
proposals from qualified manufacturers/suppliers 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
original equipment manufacturers (OEM)/suppliers are to include but not
limited to 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.
AQMD staff will evaluate the proposals based on product specifications,
availability, production capacity, the lead time, price of the product and
the exchange event assistance capabilities of the contractor.
Leaf Blower Exchange Program
In spring of 2006, the AQMD conducted a leaf blower exchange program to
encourage professional gardeners and landscapers operating within the AQMD’s
4-county jurisdiction to turn in their old, polluting backpack leaf blowers
and purchase new, low-emission/low-noise leaf blowers at a reduced price.
The program was very successful, resulting in the exchange of 1,500 leaf
blowers. At that time, the make and model of the new leaf blowers was the
only one certified by CARB to have emission levels below the “Blue Sky
Series” voluntary standards. The Blue Sky Series voluntary standards for
Hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides are set at a level that is 50% lower than
the current emission standards for leaf blowers that qualify for sale in
California.
The purpose of Program Announcement #2007-02 is to solicit competitive
proposals from qualified contractors for the production and supply of
between 1,000 and 2,000 low-emission/low-noise backpack leaf blowers for the
AQMD’s 2007 Leaf Blower Exchange Program. In addition to other criteria, to
qualify for consideration, the proposed leaf blower must meet the CARB Blue
Sky Series emission standards.
AQMD staff will evaluate the proposals based on, but not limited to,
criteria including the CARB-certified emission levels of the engine, leaf
blower noise levels, product specifications, availability, production
capacity, lead time, price of the product, and the degree to which the
contractor will provide additional services for advertising, organizing and
conducting the exchange events.
Outreach
In accordance with AQMD’s Procurement Policy and Procedure, a public
notice advertising the RFP/RFQ and inviting bids will be 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 be notified utilizing AQMD’s own
electronic listing of certified minority vendors. Notice of the RFP/RFQ
will be mailed to the Black and Latino Legislative Caucuses and various
minority chambers of commerce and business associations, the State of
California Contracts Register website, and placed on the Internet at AQMD’s
Web site (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 is also available on AQMD’s bidder’s 24-hour telephone message
line (909) 396-2724.
Resource Impact
Amount of funding will be determined after the selection of contractors
from the submitted proposals. Funding will be provided from the Rule 2202
AQIP.
Attachment(s)
(EXE 1385 kb)
1. Program Announcement and Application #PA 2007-02 - Leaf Blower
Exchange Program
2. Program Announcement and Application #PA 2007-03 - Lawn Mower Exchange
Program
3. RFP# P2007-13 - Rule 2202-On-Road Motor Vehicle Mitigation Options
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