J_and_A.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION FOR SIMPLFIED ACQUISITIONS

FAR Part 13.S01(a)(1)(ii)

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity:

The Office of Acquisition Management proposes to award a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) on the basis of other than full and open competition for Brand Name Only with Siemens for fire alarm system replacement/repair parts on behalf of OBO/OPS/FIRIFPS. The total estimated cost is $725,000.00.

2. The nature and/or description of the action being approved.

This is a new contract, replacing a previous five year Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) contract.

3. A description of the supplies or servi<:.¢Srequired to meet the Department's needs.

OBO/OPS/FIRIFPS maintains fire pIJ5'tectionsystems (to include fire alarm systems) at all overseas posts. These systems are installed by contractors in both new and existing construction.

OBO/OPS/FIR develops project specifications for these systems, based on Department of State fire protection objectives, but does not necessarily select the brand of equipment.

Fire protection systems are essential to providing life safety in our buildings and must be maintained. All Department of State principal buildings require alarm and detection systems, in order to comply with adopted codes, standards, Department policy, and Federal laws. A vast majority ofthese systems were installed using Siemens products, as required by Department of State project specifications. The parts required by this BPA are essential to maintaining these systems in an operational condition.

4. An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition:

41U.S.C 1901 CF. FAR 13.501(a)(l)

This BPA contract will be competitively bid to numerous vendors for the best pricing of the required parts identified in these BPAs. All parts and equipment procured for these systems ultimately come from one manufacturer (Siemens). The vendor provides equipment that meets Department of State project specifications for Siemens Fire Alarm Systems, both in new construction and existing buildings. These products are sold through distributors or regional offices owned and operated by the manufacturer. Generic parts and equipment are not available for this manufacturer, but numerous distributors provide them as part of the manufacturer's distribution network.

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor's unique qualifications or the nature of the action require use of the authority cited.

These systems will only accept parts from one manufacturer, and the parts are not interchangeable. The manufacturer's products use proprietary parts and software protocols, making it necessary to only use their parts on their systems. In other words, parts from another manufacturer will not work with this system. the Department has hundreds of Siemens fire alarm systems, installed in new construction and existing buildings, resulting in a need for more replacement parts in the future.

6. A description of the efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, include whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies.

The requirement will be posted as Request for Quote (RFQ) to afford company's offering the required supplies the opportunity to submit a quote.

7. A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable. Note: dollar amounts may not exceed statutory limitations for the commercial items test program identified in FAR 13.500.

The Contracting Office determines that the anticipated price(s) will be fair and reasonable based on previous purchase used as comparison. By signing the justification the Contracting Officer makes a determination that the cost/price to the Government are expected to be fair and reasonable.

8. A description of the market research conducted (per FAR Part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

There are numerous suppliers (distributors) of the required parts, but all parts are ultimately derived from one manufacturer (Siemens). Generic parts are not available as alternatives to the manufacturer supplied equipment.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition such as:

None.

10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

None

11. A statement of any actions the agency will take to remove or overcome any future barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.

Siemens parts are proprietary parts and use software protocols, making it necessary to only use their parts on their systems. However the requirement will be posted as Request for Quote (RFQ) to afford company's offering the required supplies the opportunity to submit a quote.