36C25020B0033-022.pdf

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR

OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Identification of Requesting Agency:

Department of Veterans Affairs

Engineering (138) 3200 Vine Street Cincinnati, OH 45220

Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs

VISN 10 Network Contracting Activity 260 E. University Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45219

2. Nature and/or description of the action:

Request approval to use other than full and open competition to solicit on a Brand Name Only Fire Alarm Devices manufactured by Honeywell for use on project no.

539-20-213, Replace Cat Scan AHU.

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs Fire Alarm Devices, consisting of 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.

Estimated Value: $7,780

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

This request is submitted pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c) (1), which provides that full and open competition need not be obtained where there is “only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements”.

FAR Part 6.302-1(c) “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.”

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

The fire alarm devices that are to be installed as part of 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.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized.

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. This solicitation will be publicized via FedBizOpps.

7. A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the

Government will be fair and reasonable.

An Independent Government Cost Estimate was done using cost estimating software to determine that the anticipated cost was fair and reasonable. The portion of the cost estimating software showing the Fire Detection System is shown below:

8. A description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Market research was not conducted. The entire facility is currently protected with the Honeywell Fire Alarm System. If any other vendor modifies, adds and reprograms devices into the existing Honeywell Fire Alarm System, this will void the UL listings of the current system. The VA is required to have UL listed Fire Alarm Systems.

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

Maintenance and system familiarity, while secondary to the issues of warranty or UL Listing, are other important factors to consider. Engineering is charged with maintaining this system, and the rest of the facility is charged with responding appropriately. Attempting to introduce a fire alarm different manufacture with different software would no doubt compromise the ability of Staff respond to their tasks efficiently, let alone the issues of how it would be able to communicate with the existing fire alarm system.

10. A listing of the sources interested in the acquisition.

Honeywell

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

Solicitations for future requirements will utilize “brand name or equal” language, if it is in the Government’s best interest to do so. The current requirement must be solicited using a brand name description because the Government needs to create an exact copy of a system/item that is currently in use.

12. Certification requirement:

I certify the supporting data, including the statement of the Government’s minimum needs and other rationale for other than full and open competition is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. (FAR Subpart 6.303-1(b))

The assertions and recommendations in support of the justification have been prepared by:

COR Name

Technical Representative Date Phone

Contracting Officers Certification

The Contracting Officer has determined that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of the Contracting Officer's knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer (Date)

Concur/Non-concur:

VHAINDStoutJ Typewritten Text

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VHAINDStoutJ Typewritten Text 4/1/2020