Attendees: Bill Walker, Allen Kephart, Jim Wright, Jim Henry (CleanAir)

Objective: Long- and short-term needs assessment

ARC expressed overall satisfaction with the current relationship. They have received added value in the form of consistent reports, data, methodology and test crews. Other items with which ARC has expressed satisfaction include:

• An increase in CleanAir’s safety awareness
• Report submission TAT improvement
• CD-ROM report submission
• Improved communication through provision of cel-phones to the test leaders
• Submission of staffing sheets prior to execution of each project
• Project/Report status spreadsheet submission
• CleanAir test crew members’ performance and plant familiarity

Issues are presented in the order discussed, then ranked according to perceived importance with (A#) format for ARC needs and (C#) forCleanAirneeds.

• Report turnaround times (TAT). ARC recognized CleanAir’s efforts to reduce TAT and improve the report product. They are pleased with the product, but would like to see improved TAT, especially in light of the fact that as of next year, all plants will be under a 60-day clock for report submission. (A1).

• Regulatory Support. ARC would like to see more regulatory support fromCleanAiron specific state-by-state testing related issues as opposed to larger EPA-type issues like MACT and NOx Budgeting (which they feel they get enough of in Hot Air). More succinctly,CleanAirshould provide more support from the technical aspect. This includesCleanAirbecoming a more vocal third-party in response to state-proposed method changes. (A3).

• Communication. Increased/better communication during projects betweenCleanAirand ARC personnel, including control room operators. (A5).

• Safety. ARC would likeCleanAirto provide annual fit-test/safety awareness program certifications for test personnel. They would also like to see CleanAir’s (and any other contractor’s) recordable incident rate go down. (A2).

• Invoicing. Invoices that deal withCleanAirand/or plant delays should have added detail regarding those delays, where applicable.CleanAirmay look into a new or revised format. This issue may disappear if we ultimately restructure the contract. (A4).

• Future Growth. How willCleanAircontinue to support ARC considering ARC’s future acquisition plans? (A6).

• IWSA Membership. ARC expressed an interest inCleanAirbecoming an IWSA member. This will helpCleanAirto keep closer to issues that directly affect MSW’s. (A7).

• Scheduling.CleanAirwould like to see additional flexibility regarding the scheduling of projects. When several projects are executed at once, it raises issues such as execution optimization, report turnaround, analytical turnaround, staffing, etc.CleanAirexpressed a desire to see projects dispersed evenly across the calendar year. Now that ARC has moved to a calendar fiscal year, it may be possible to somehow restructure the overall schedule. ARC is up against agency deadlines and budgets, but it may be possible to work through these hurdles in a variety of ways. (C2).

• Communication. Issues of importance often are channeled to test crew members as opposed to the project managers/administrators.CleanAirwould like to see more feedback on these issues at the management level. (C4).

• Alternate Contract Structure.CleanAirexpressed a concern that the present time-and-materials agreement does not necessarily allow for constant improvement, as tasks/projects that are not directly billable to an ARC job are not currently captured. This provides a disincentive for improvement.CleanAirwould like to move closer to a pure "win-win" relationship. The idea will be taken into further consideration (alternate billing structures, etc.) (C1).

• Safety. In an effort to synergize CleanAir’s safety policies with ARC, it was suggested that ARC mentorCleanAirunder the OSHA star program. (C3).

• Liaison.CleanAirstill feels there is value in providing an on-site representative. ARC agrees conceptually, but would like further investigation and presentation on CleanAir’s part. (C5).

• Increase technically related regulatory support (CleanAir).
• Address communication problems at the project level (CleanAir).
• Provide annual safety certifications (CleanAir).
• Address invoice format adjustment (CleanAir/ARC).
• Provide total manhours thatCleanAirbills to ARC on an annual basis (CleanAir).
• Explore alternate contract structure (CleanAir/ARC).
• Explore rescheduling feasibility (ARC).
• Assess report TAT vis-à-vis upcoming 60-day standard (CleanAir).
• Contact safety personnel regarding mentor program (ARC).
• ProvideCleanAirwith ARC newsletter (ARC).
• Explore/Become an IWSA member (CleanAir).
• Reconsider liaison program (CleanAir).