36C25019B0048-020.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification and Approval

For

Other Than Full and Open Competition

Valcom Overhead Paging System

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office (NCO)

10, 260 E. University Avenue, Cincinnati, OH in conjunction with VISN 10, VAMC Medical

Center, Engineering Service (138), 3200 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220. Purchase request number 539-19-2-6905-0025, Project number 539-19-201, Expand Engineering

Support Space.

2. Brief Description of Supplies/ Services required and the intended use/Estimated

Amount:

Engineering Service is requesting approval to use other than full and open competition to solicit a Brand Name Only for Honeywell brand Fire Alarm System for use on Project No.

539-19-201 Expand Engineering Support Space. This includes an expansion of the existing fire alarm system involving smoke detectors, duct detectors, sprinkler supervisory switches, electromagnetic door holders, manual fire alarm stations, water flow and pressure switches, speakers, strobes and a voice annunciation system. This project will be awarded as a new

Firm-Fixed Price contract. The estimated value for the fire alarm system is $15,000.00.

3. Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one source, with the reason no other supplies or services can be used:

The fire alarm devices that are to be installed under this project represent an extension of the existing Fire Alarm System at our facility. As such, each new device must tie into and communicate with the existing Facility Fire Alarm System, which is manufactured by

Honeywell. Each device in a fire alarm system, whether it’s a smoke detector or supervisory switch, constantly communicates with the front end of the fire alarm system. This allows the system to monitor each and every device, so that it can not only receive alarms, but also can detect failures of the device as well – which is a critical element in any fire alarm system. In addition, the software allows for a graphics package, which displays the floor plans of the entire facility depicting each and every fire alarm device. This allows for fast response in any alarm situation, as the system can tell Fire Fighters and VA Police the exact location of the device in alarm. Besides the fact that software conflicts would make it difficult to impossible for devices by another manufacturer to communicate with the existing Honeywell System, it would void the warranty and the UL Listing of the fire alarm system. A UL Listed Fire

Alarm System is a Life Safety Code requirement. Maintaining the warranty and UL Listing of the Fire Alarm System is critical and cannot be jeopardized.

4. Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted:

Research has shown that in the industry, it is standard for each fire alarm system to have their own proprietary software which prohibits communication between different manufacturers.

There is just too much at risk from a Life Safety Code Standpoint to attempt to intermingle manufacturers on a Fire Alarm System; this facility has a Honeywell Fire Alarm System, and we should only add devices to it that are manufactured by Honeywell. Additionally, attempting to introduce a fire alarm from a different manufacturer with different software would no doubt compromise the ability of staff to respond efficiently, let along the issues of how it would communicate with the existing Honeywell fire alarm system.

5. 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.

Zachary Schmidt Date

Project Engineer, Engineering Service

VAMC – Cincinnati, OH

6. Contracting Officer’s Certification

Yvonne Demorest

Contracting Officer

VHACINSchmiZ Typewritten Text 3/27/2019