36C25625R0003 Brand Name JA-Redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification and Approval for Other Than Full and Open Competition - Brand Name Items

1. Contracting Activity:

Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 16, Biloxi VAMC. Network Contracting Office 16.

The proposed procurement is for the Repair JACC Chilled Water Piping project number 520- 25-107 at the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System (GCVHCS), Joint Ambulatory Care Clinic (JACC) in Pensacola, Florida.

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

This justification is to support the Repair JACC Chilled Water Piping project number 520-25- 107 that will be awarded as a firm-fixed price contract. The project make corrections to the grooved chilled water piping systems at the Pensacola JACC to prevent additional catastrophic failures that have occurred twice since the building construction. This justification is for other than full and open competition for the procurement of certain construction materials and installation. The use of a particular brand name for the items listed below accommodates standardization of these items throughout the Gulf Coast Veterans Healthcare System (GCVHCS).

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

The project includes certain Siemens’ equipment and coding required in the building automation systems (BAS). This procurement includes the installation and replace numerous controls devices while upgrading the JACC chilled water piping. Other work consists of but is not limited to replacing and installing building automation system wiring, ensuring optimal functionality of these systems, and integrating the new equipment with existing equipment.

Some example Siemens BAS devices include but are not limited to variable frequency drives (VFDs), valves, actuators, cabling, controllers, measurement devices, and conduit.

These Siemens BAS device must be installed and programmed by a Siemens technician for continued support and warrantying through the existing service contract.

a. Siemens supported valves

a. Quantity (ea): Est. 30

b. Value: Est.

c. Unique qualifications:

i. Currently Siemens compatible products installed and the only HVAC employed by the JACC is experienced and has confidence working on the family of brands

ii. ANSI Class 125/250

iii. 2 inches and smaller: Screwed or welded joints

iv. 2-1/2 inches and larger: Welded or flanged joints v.

vi. Two-way normally open and normally closed configurations.

vii. Cartridge-type packing.

viii. Two-way equal-percentage flow characteristic valves with either bronze or stainless steel trim.

ix. Two-way linear flow characteristic valves with stainless steel trim.

x. Three-way valves with either bronze or stainless steel trim.

xi. High temperature packing available on two-way linear valves

b. Siemens actuators

a. Quantity (ea): Est. 30

b. Value: Est.

c. Unique qualifications:

i. Currently Siemens compatible products installed and the only HVAC employed by the JACC is experienced and has confidence working on the family of brands

ii. BACnet BAC communication protocol

iii. Power Supply: 0-10 VDC

iv. Control: Modulating

v. Spring return type

vi. being full spring return position)

c. Siemens controllers

a. Quantity (ea): Est. 10

b. Value: Est.

c. Unique qualifications:

i. BACnet Testing Laboratories (BTL) certified Classified as BACnet Building Controllers (B-BC) using the BACnet/IP protocol and/or BACnet MS/TP, or BACnet Advanced Application Controllers (B-AAC) using the BACnet MS/TP protocol for specific models.

ii. Modular hardware components match initial control requirements while providing for future expansion.

iii. DIN rail mounted device with removable terminal blocks simplifies installation and servicing.

iv. Proven program sequences to match equipment control applications.

v. Built-in energy management applications and DDC programs for complete facility management.

vi. Comprehensive alarm management, historical data trend collection, operator control, and monitoring functions.

vii. Sophisticated Adaptive Control, a closed loop control algorithm that auto-adjusts to compensate for load/seasonal changes (License required with Firmware revision 3.5.1 and higher).

viii. HMI RS-232 and USB ports, which provide laptop connectivity for local operation and engineering.

ix. Extended battery backup of Real Time Clock.

x. Back-up battery protection eliminating the need for time-consuming program and database reentry in the event of an extended power failure.

xi. “battery low” status LED must send an alarm message to selected printers or terminals.

xii. Optional support for MS/TP or P1 FLN devices

xiii. Optional support for P1 Wireless FLN.

xiv. Optional operation as a MS/TP or P1 device with default applications

d. Siemens measurement devices (example differential pressure sensors)

a. Quantity (ea): Est. 10

b. Value: Est

c. Unique qualifications:

i. Dual sensors

ii. Suitable for harsh environments

iii. 3 & 5 valve manifold assembly options

iv. 4 Field Selectable Outputs

v. 8 Field Selectable Pressure Ranges

vi. Field Accessible Push-Button Zero & Remote Zero

vii. Hinged Cover

viii. Optional LCD Display

ix. NEMA 4 Rated Housing, All Cast Aluminum

x. CE & RoHS Compliant

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; 41 USC §253(c)(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 existing BAS systems and devices at Biloxi, Pensacola, Eglin, and Panama City sites were built and are currently maintained under contract with Siemens. Therefore, all controls design, installation, and programming shall be through Siemens. Altering the BAS system provider would not be in the best interest of the taxpayers and would render other existing contracts void due to conflicts of vendor ownership. Replacing the BAS systems to suite a new vendor would place an unnecessary financial burden of many millions on taxpayers with the potential for impacts to VA patient care and environmental monitoring in the interim.

New BAS devices must be able to integrate seamlessly with existing system and maintain current operational readiness. Thus, no other supplies will satisfy the need of compatibility with the existing system that is to remain. This is the case at both the Medical Center and the CBOCs.

Siemens has gained extensive experience and knowledge of the GCVHCS through performing maintenance troubleshooting, energy efficiency improvement efforts, staff/patient meetings, and policy/procedure review. This experience and knowledge cannot be replicated by other contractors without duplicating efforts achieved over the past five (5) years by the VA Gulf Coast VHCS Medical Center Clinics and vendor. This follow-on contract will safeguard the implemented system and will allow the facility to retro-fit under this new order and maintain one set of supplies and equipment for updates providing additional cost savings. The importance of implementing a consistent and interchangeable system is vital to the sustainability of our facility operations.

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

In accordance with the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA), the components listed above are identified as brand name; however, the overall procurement will be competed as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small-Business (SDVOSB) Set-Aside. This Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition will be posted to Federal Business Opportunities with the solicitation.

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

The anticipated price to the Government for the items requested to be Siemens brand name is approximately

The items for which brand name approval is being requested are subsequent components to the overall construction project. This procurement will be competed and based on competition; the Contracting Officer will make a determination of fair and reasonable pricing prior to award.

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

Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted:

Multiple (SDVOSB) companies are listed in SAM, as Commercial and Institutional Building Construction companies (NAICS Code 236220) capable of meeting the requirements as listed in design drawings and specifications. Market research demonstrates that there are at least 3,000 SDVOSB’s with NAICS’s codes 236220 on SAM.gov. Therefore, from Market Research findings and the VA Rule of Two, it has been determined that this requirement

Competing firms will deliver fair market prices for systems and items listed as all systems are common and use standard off the shelf components. The Contracting Officer and COR were in concurrence with information provided. Approval of the items as brand name only is critical for the overall efficiency of the completed project and the GCVHCS facility as a whole.

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

Standardizing equipment across the Gulf Coast improves our ability to maintain reliable operations and respond to failures of that equipment much quicker than having an extensive list of brands. These brands have proven reliable in performance as well as quick sourcing of parts domestically or in some cases internally to the Gulf Coast from our other equipment.

for Other Than Full and Open Competition - Brand Name Items

All of these factors lead to less impacts to patient care from BAS system downtime or BAS interruptions. Our limited in-house staff and Siemens have been trained in these brands, increasing their ability to make timely adjustments or repairs in restoring BAS services to each of our clinics.

New BAS components must be able to tie into an existing and operational system including the use of software. Currently, there are no competing vendors whose products are fully compatible with the existing systems. Converting the entire facility to another manufacturer’s system would be disruptive to medical center operations and exorbitantly expensive.

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

Not applicable. It is the responsibility of the offerors and the general contractor awarded the project to locate suppliers and obtain pricing for all materials and components, including the items listed in this justification.

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:

There will be competition for the overall procurement. It will be the responsibility of the offerors to obtain pricing from the suppliers of the items and to submit a competitive proposal for the project.

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.

13. Approvals in accordance with 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.

Team A NCO 16

JENNINGS

HERBST

Digitally signed by

JENNINGS HERBST

Date: 2025.03.25 12:12:08 -05'00'