US Env. Protection Agency, CMD-RTP MD-33 (NCCM-KG), Research Triangl Park, NC 27711

A -- DEMONSTRATION OF A FUEL CELL POWERED BUS IN MEXICO CITY SOL FH6140 POC Karen Z. Gibson, Contract Specialist (919)541-4556/Vickie Presnell, Contracting Officer. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency intends to negotiate sole source with Ballard Power Corporation for the demonstration of a fuel cell powered bus in Mexico City. The technical goal of this project is to characterize and document the emissions from the world's first full-size prototype transit bus using proton-exchange membrane fuel cells as an ultraclean power source. The contractor shall demonstrate the bus during a two-week period between March 31, 1997 and June 30, 1997 to political leaders, government officials, members of the press, and vehicle program. The contractor shall (1) plan and conduct tests to characterize the emissions from this vehicle, (2) gather, collect, and extrapolate data as necessary to project emission numbers through use of various numbers of similar vehicles as replacements for conventional vehicles, (3) prepare and present a brief report in an open forum to the same audience (technical, political, and user community) and (4) identify, analyze, and assess the benefits (health and economic) of the reduced environmental effects of the technology. The contractor shall conduct planning meetings with Mexican officials and other participants. The contractor shall arrange for bus transportation and licensing, arrange for seminar facility, plan and publicize the upcoming demonstration and seminar, prepare bus for demonstration, and prepare for the seminars. The contractor shall transport the fuel cell bus to Mexico City and prepare the bus for operation and testing. The contractor shall operate and test the bus in accordance with the approved workplan. The contractor shall measure the emissions of the bus in accordance with the workplan. EPA believes that Ballard Power Corporation is the only company capable of satisfying the requirement listed above. Ballard Power Corporation has built and tested the world's only fuel-cell powered zero emission bus. They have demonstrated that a transit bus, powered by Ballard's patented Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell, can provide the same or better operational performance than the corresponding diesel equivalent. Any other firm would be required to spend substantial amounts of time and dollars to reach the level of expertise which Ballard Power Corporation now holds. Interested parties who believe they can provide the required services should submit their qualifications in writing within 15 days. See Numbered Note(s): 22. (0215)

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