3. Brand Name Justification - Macerators.pdf

BRAND NAME DETERMINATION

In accordance with FAR 13.106-1 (b)(1)

IDENTIFICATION OF AGENCY AND THE CONTRACTING ACTIVITY:

Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons Federal Medical Center Devens P O Box 880 Ayer, MA 01432

NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION:

The selected contractor will replace the Prison’s failing sewage macerator grinders. The existing units that need to be replaced are Muffin Monster brand units. In total there are four (4) units that will require replacement. The units will be replaced one at a time to ensure that the prison can continue to operate during the replacement operations. It is estimate that each of the four units will take approximately a full day to remove and replace with a new unit.

The existing Muffin Monster units, produced by JWC Environmental Inc. have been in continuous use for approximately 10 years and have reached the end of their usable life. These units are beyond rebuild/repair status and will need to be replaced in order to maintain the required flow through the sewage system at FMC Devens.

Changing the manufacturer of the sewage macerators, could possibly lead to a need to change the underground piping leading up to and leaving the underground macerator chambers. This type work will require major renovation work, including excavation, site work, concrete, structural steel, plumbing, and electrical changes.

Also, changing the underground piping will disrupt the daily, ordinary sewage flow coming from the Prison and Prison hospital. There is currently no way to eliminate all sewage coming from the prison for an extended period of time to allow for major renovations

Based on this information, it has been determined the acquisition of the specific Muffin Monster sewage grinders is essential to satisfy the institution’s needs. Due to the additional cost of modifying the current infrastructure, the contracting officer has determined the purchase of the same brand currently in use would be most advantageous and cost effective to the government.

CERTIFICATION:

We, Charles Coushaine and Mark Hamilton, hereby certify that this documentation and supporting data for this certification are accurate and complete to the best of our knowledge.

Charles Coushaine, Contract Specialist Date

Mark Hamilton, Facilities Manager Date