539-21-115 Tridium Niagara Sole Source Justification - Redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification and Approval

For

Other Than Full and Open Competition

Tridium Niagara System Building Management Controls System

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C250-21-AP-3302

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

10, 260 E. University Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45219.

The Requesting Agency is VISN 10, VAMC Medical Center, Engineering Service (138), 3200 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220.

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

Engineering Service is requesting approval to use other than full and open competition to solicit a Brand Name Only for Direct Digital Automatic Temperature Control System (DDATCS) manufactured by Tridium, for use on Project No. 539-21-115, Correct Interior Deficiencies. This project will be awarded as a new Firm-Fixed Price contract.

This Justification and Approval (J&A) is submitted pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C 2304 (c) (1) or 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.” Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6.302-1(c) “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.”

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

The expansion of the existing Building Management Controls System involves many new DDATCS devices, including controls/communications panels, sensors, actuators, automatic control valves, meters, computer hardware/software, programming, graphics, owner training, etc.

The Estimated Value of the DDATCS is. The Estimated Value of the Correct Interior Deficiencies project is.

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;

( ) (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):

The intent of this is to update the existing controls systems at the campus to improve overall building optimization. Having all the DDATCS working in concert with each other will be critical in meeting energy goals and reducing building maintenance. Expanding the existing Tridium Niagara Framework at this facility and integrating the existing DDATCS into the Niagara Framework allows the system to monitor each and every device, so that it cannot only receive information, but also send control commands to the devices. The requirement for Tridium Niagara framework is not a limiting requirement, as it is used by various manufacturers of DDCATCS controls and various temperature control contractors (available to all). This framework was created for the purpose of integrating the existing disparate systems with different communications protocols into one cohesive and collaborative system seamlessly. The new Tridium-based panels specified as part of this construction contract are required to have an open license, which will afford the VA multiple choices for future service or system expansion.

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

Research has shown that in the industry, it is standard for most DDATCS to have their own proprietary software which prohibits communication between different manufacturers. There is just too much at risk from an operations standpoint to upgrade the two-existing proprietary DDATCS and not integrate all three into one cohesive and collaborative DDATCS with Tridium Niagara Framework as the head end. The Tridium Niagara Framework is the most prominent DDATCS in the local market that does allow communication with the existing controls at the VAMC campus. The capabilities of the Niagara Framework platform, and the availability in the local market, provides the Cincinnati VA with a system that can be serviced by multiple vendors, now and in the future. The VA facilities in Cleveland, Chillicothe and Dayton, all have the Tridium Niagara Framework for their main DDATCS, which shows the prevalence and versatility in this local market. This solicitation will be publicized via sam.gov.

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

Determination of fair and reasonableness of cost will be based upon a complete price analysis and Independent Government Cost Estimate. The anticipated cost will be considered fair and reasonable. This project will be issued as an Invitation for Bid (IFB). Tradeoffs and Evaluation Factors are not applicable for this project.

8. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the

Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted:

Market research has been previously conducted for prior projects, concerning this subject.

The Tridium Building Management Controls System is currently in use in the hospital.

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

The ability of the Tridium Niagara Framework to integrate the existing facilities controls systems together makes this logical follow-on to the system to utilize for the upgrade.

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.

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

See Section VI above.

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:

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. 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

13. Approvals in accordance with VHAFAR Part 806.3 OFOC SOP 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.

Ronald T. Heidemann Date Contracting Officer Network Contracting Office (NCO) 10