JA - Simplex FA - Redacted.pdf

LRL-FY24-58

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Agency: US Army Engineer District, Corps of Engineers, PO Box 59, Louisville, KY 40201-0059.

2. Description of Action: This justification and approval (J&A) is being prepared for the use of a brand name item, an addressable fire alarm panel, 4000 series, manufactured by Simplex, in the design for the ERCIP Power Generation and Microgrid project at Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois (RIA). The government will not purchase the panel directly but will include the brand name specifications in the solicitation that will result in a firm fixed price construction contract. The construction contract is planned to be awarded under a DBB – using FY25 MILCON O&M funding.

3. Description of the Supplies/Service: Provide a fire alarm panel for the Substation identified in this project. Specifically, the project will use the following model: Simplex 4000 series Fire Alarm Panel. The Arsenal uses Simplex fire alarm panels and reporting equipment throughout the installation. This equipment utilizes proprietary hardware and software; therefore, Simplex is the only option. The overall cost is expected to be approximately

4. Authority Cited: The statutory authority permitting acquisition of the requirement by Other than Full and Open Competition is 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1) as implemented by Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Overhaul (RFO) 6.103-1 (DEV 2026-O00017), Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. This authority is applicable to brand name justifications in accordance with RFO 6.103-1(d) (DEV 2026-O00017).

5. Reason for Authority Cited:

(a) Background: This contract for the construction of the ERCIP Power Generation and Microgrid at Rock Island Arsenal is a MILCON project to install 14MW of natural gas generation, 3MW of solar generation, 400kW of Battery Storage, and connection to the existing Hydropower plant at the RIA installation located in Rock Island, Illinois. This project will construct and commission (7) new NG Gensets, approximately 8000 solar panels, a stand-alone Battery Energy Storage system (BESS) and a new switchgear building. The new Microgrid switchgear will contain approximately 22 medium-voltage main, feed, and tie circuit breakers. This switchgear will generate deliver generated power to the Arsenal during normal operation, partial outages and complete loss of primary feeders.

(b) Justification: The Installation uses Simplex panels throughout the Arsenal. Since these panels utilize proprietary communication technology, the only panels that will report to the Arsenal Fire Station are those manufactured by Simplex.

(c) Impact: If the J&A is not approved it will result in the Fire Alarm system that cannot report to the central system.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: A Notice of Intent (NOI) was has not been posted to SAM.gov.

7. Market Research: Market research was not performed in view of the reasons cited above.

8. Interested Sources: In accordance with RFO 5.201(c)(3) (DEV 26-O00003) and RFO 6.301(b)(2) (DEV 26-O00017), the justification shall be posted with the solicitation, redacted as necessary.

9. Technical Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in this justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

10. Requirements Certification: I hereby determine that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in this justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

11. Legal Review and Concurrence: I hereby determine that the information herein is legally sufficient, and I concur with the sole source procurement.

12. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination/Contracting Officer Certification: I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable based on previous procurements of Simplex manufactured fire alarm systems.

The cost of the panel is approximately . Therefore, there is only one available manufacturer that meets the requirements of the solicitation. I further certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.