17 - 596-22-700 Brand Name Justification.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification and Approval for

Other Than Full and Open Competition

1. Contracting Activity:

Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Program Contracting Activity Central (PCAC) Office.

The proposed procurement, Invitation for Bid (IFB) 36C77625B0040 is for EHRM Infrastructure Upgrades project at the Franklin R. Sousley Campus in Lexington, KY.

2. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Processed:

This justification is to support the EHRM Infrastructure Upgrades project at the Franklin R. Sousley Campus, that will be awarded as a firm-fixed price contract. This justification is for other than full and open competition for the procurement of certain construction materials. The use of a particular brand name for the items listed below accommodates standardization of these items throughout the facility.

a. Fire Alarm System

i. Honeywell Notifier Fire Alarm System

b. Building Automation System – HVAC

i. Johnson Controls Building Automation Systems

c. Security & Access Control

i. Software House iSTAR Ultra

ii. Tyco Video Edge

3. Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency’s Needs:

This procurement is for the EHRM Infrastructure Upgrades project at the Franklin R. Sousley Campus. The scope includes everything necessary to complete the EHRM Infrastructure Upgrades project that meets the requirements of the Department of Veterans Affairs. There are four (4) brand name items listed for which the VA is not able to accept equal or alternate items. The value of these items is listed below and the VAAR Construction magnitude for the entire project is between $10,000,000 and $20,000,000.

a. Fire Alarm System

i. Honeywell Notifier Fire Alarm System

ii. Value:

iii. Description: Smoke Detectors, strobes, monitoring and all components required for this project to be installed and connect to the existing fire alarm and monitoring system.

b. Building Automation System – HVAC

i. Johnson Controls Building Automation System

ii. Value:

iii. Description: Building Automation System for controlling and monitoring all HVAC systems including but not limited to temperature, humidity, and pressurization.

c. Security & Access Control

i. Software House iSTAR Ultra

ii. Tyco Video Edge

iii. Value:

iv. Description: Card reader panel & software for door access controls. Video management system and video software for security cameras.

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition:

(X) (1) Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy

Agency Requirements per FAR 6.302-1; 41 U.S.C. § 3304(a)(1) ( ) (2) Unusual and Compelling Urgency per FAR 6.302-2;

( ) (3) Industrial Mobilization, Engineering, Developmental or Research Capability or Expert Services per FAR 6.302-3;

( ) (4) International Agreement per FAR 6.302-4 ( ) (5) Authorized or Required by Statute FAR 6.302-5;

( ) (6) National Security per FAR 6.302-6;

( ) (7) Public Interest per FAR 6.302-7;

5. Demonstration that the Contractor’s Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority):

These items have been standardized throughout the Franklin R. Sousley Campus. Installing a different manufacturers’ system will create significant duplication in costs for the facility, and in most cases the equipment will not function properly. The specific impact for not using the brand name items is listed below:

a. Fire Alarm System

i. Honeywell Notifier Fire Alarm Systems

ii. Impact: This Fire Alarm system is what is currently installed in the Lexington KY VA and all fire alarm components shall be compatible with this system. The use of another system would not be cost effective and would cause compatibility issues.

This is a life safety system and same brands are required to fully integrate.

b. Building Automation System

i. Johnson Controls Building Automation Systems

ii. Impact: This Building Automation System (hardware and software) is what is currently installed in the Lexington KY VA. The use of another system would not be cost effective and would cause compatibility issues.

c. Security & Access Control

i. Software House iSTAR Ultra

ii. Tyco Video Edge

iii. Impact: The Security Camera and Access Control Systems (hardware and software) are what is currently installed in the Lexington KY VA. The use of another system would not be cost effective and would cause compatibility issues. Utilizing the existing systems will allow for full integration and functionality for the local Lexington staff.

6. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable:

In accordance with the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA), the components listed above are identified as brand name; however, the overall procurement will be competed as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small-Business (SDVOSB) Set-Aside. This Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition will be posted to Contracting Opportunities with the solicitation.

7. Determination by the Contracting Officer (CO) that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable:

The Government estimate was prepared by the AE Firm Spur and confirmed by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). The anticipated price to the Government for the items requested to be brand name is approximately .

The items for which brand name approval is being requested are subsequent components to the overall construction project. This procurement will be competed and based on competition; the CO will make a determination of fair and reasonable pricing prior to award.

8. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted:

The market research for the equipment was conducted and prepared by the COR and shared with the CO for further review. The CO was in concurrence with information provided in the estimate that supported the brand name items. Approval of the items as brand name only is critical for the overall efficiency of the completed project and the entire Franklin R. Sousley Campus.

An additional purpose of the market research was to ensure requirements of the Buy American Act (BAA) has been met for each of the brand name items identified. The A/E team reviewed each of the compliance standards for the BAA and compared it with the components in each of the brand name items. After their thorough review, they have concluded that each item is in compliance with the BAA. See an overview below for each item:

a. Fire Alarm System

i. Honeywell Notifier Fire Alarm Systems are manufactured in Northford, Connecticut.

Manufacturer location is confirmed via online research as confirmed via the Honeywell online documents.

b. Building Automation System – HVAC

i. Johnson Controls Building Automation Systems are manufactured in Wichita, Kansas and Norman, Oklahoma. Manufacturer locations are confirmed via online documents and through the JCI website.

c. Security & Access Control

i. Software House iSTAR Ultra is manufactured in the United States base on online research as well as previous discussions with customer service.

9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition:

The new components must be able to tie into the existing and operational systems including the use of software. At this time, there are no competing vendors whose products are fully compatible with the existing system being used at the Franklin R. Sousley Campus.

10. Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition:

Not applicable. It is the responsibility of the offerors, and the general contractor awarded the project to locate suppliers and obtain pricing for all materials and components, including the items listed in this justification.

11. A Statement of the Actions, if any, the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome any Barriers to

Competition before Making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required:

There will be competition for the overall procurement. It will be the responsibility of the offerors to obtain pricing from the suppliers of the items and to submit a competitive proposal for the project.

12. Requirements Certification: I certify that the requirement outlined in this justification is a Bona Fide Need of the Department of Veterans Affairs and that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

David Knapp Date Healthcare Engineer Lexington Leestown VAMC

13. Approvals in accordance with FAR 6.304

a. Contracting Officer's Certification (required): I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Richelle N. Gray Date Contracting Officer VHA Program Contracting Activity Central (PCAC)

b. One Level Above the Contracting Officer (required over SAT but not exceeding $750K): I certify the justification meets requirements for other than full and open competition.

Donald A. Marsh III Supervisory Contracting Officer

VHA PCAC

DONALD MARSH Digitally signed by DONALD MARSH Date: 2025.06.10 11:42:50 -04'00'

JOSEPH

ROSSANO

Digitally signed by

JOSEPH ROSSANO

Date: 2025.06.10 11:48:27 -04'00'

DAVID

KNAPP

Digitally signed by DAVID

KNAPP

Date: 2025.06.16 07:55:34 -04'00'