A.02.05 LSP Single Source Basler MU3 Redacted.pdf

Control Number: 23-0001

SINGLE SOURCE DETERMINATION

1. CONTRACTING AGENCY: US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Walla Walla District (CENWW- CT) 201 North 3rd, Walla Walla, WA 99362.

2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION: Requesting a new firm-fixed price, Single source contract for the commissioning of Basler Exciter Controller retrofit kits by a Basler Electric Field Service Engineer for Ice Harbor Project’s exciter systems used on generating unit 3.

The estimated amount of service is .

3. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE/SUPPLIES: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Ice harbor Lock and Dam, requires a qualified Basler Electric Field Service Engineer to commission the installed DECS-450 retrofit kits on Unit 3. The Basler Electric Field Service Engineer will inspect the installation by project electricians and run tests. The Basler controllers provide critical controls to Basler Exciters that provide excitation voltages for generating units 1-3.

4. AUTHORITY CITED: FAR 13.106-1(b)(1): Soliciting from a single source. For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonable available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization).

5. REASON FOR AUTHORITY CITED:

a. JUSTIFICATION: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Ice Harbor Lock and Dam Project uses Basler Exciters on its main generating units 1-3. The exciter system is mission critical to power generation, power generation control and NERC / WECC generation compliance. Each stand-alone exciter and exciter controllers have no redundancy in case of failure. Exciter control is important to meet BPA load requirements for the Project’s three affected hydroelectric generating units, capable of delivering 109 MW each.

The exciters provide a DC excitation voltage to the field winding of the generators and modulates that voltage for generation control. Excitation control stability is a critical function of power generation. The Basler Exciters and integrated Basler Exciter Controllers were installed as one system in 2003. The installed exciter controller’s interface or human machine interface (HMI) and proprietary software work as a part of an integrated Basler exciter system and these products installed in 2003 are now obsolete and are no longer supported.

Reliability of the exciters is critical because any failures could result in mission critical loss to power generation and have catastrophic effects which may also affect personnel safety.

Safe and reliable hydroelectric power generation is a top priority for the Walla Walla District and Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). The exciter controllers have reached the end of the product’s life cycle, are no longer supported, and pose a cyber-security threat due to outdated software.

New Basler Digital Excitation Controller Retrofit Kits were purchased in FY2021 and were installed by project personnel in FY2022 for units #1 and #2 with unit #3 scheduled in 2023. Main unit 3 will require a Basler Electric Field Service Engineer to inspect the installation and commission the system per their commissioning procedures to ensure the exciters meet performance requirements.

b. IMPACT: The exciter system is mission critical by providing a DC excitation voltage to the field winding of the generators and modulates that voltage for control stability for power generation.

Without the replacement of new exciter controllers, main units 3 would be forced out of service and unable to produce electrical power. This would result in lost revenue of approximately per unit for BPA. Water that flows through the generator turbines help attract fish to the fish ladder entrance on the north shore closest to unit one. When water is not passed through the turbines during high flow times, it must be sent through the spillway which increases the dissolved nitrogen in the river that can affect the health of both adult and juvenile fish.

c. Alternatives: Through market research, there are no other engineers able to commission Basler exciter systems. Only engineers that are licensed to commission Basler exciter systems are trained through Basler company. If we don’t commission Basler exciter systems with Basler licensed engineers, we would have to .

6. EFFORTS TO OBTAIN COMPETITION: Basler is the only vendor that manufactures and commissions their upgrade kits for our original Basler exciter system.

7. DETERMINATION OF FAIR AND RESONABLE COSTS: A price analysis will be conducted by comparing prices paid for use of the application under previous contracts. No award will be made unless prices may be determined fair and reasonable.

8. MARKET RESEARCH: Different regional representatives for Basler components were found, but no vendors, retailers, or suppliers offering Basler upgrade components could be found. There are other vendors that manufacture generator exciter systems, but the cost to replace an entire system to a different brand would result in a contract for millions of dollars.

Technical Certification: I certify 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.

Name/Title: __Ricardo Walker, Project Manager_______ Signature:

CONTRACT SPECIALIST: I certify that the information supporting this single source determination is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge based on the supporting data provided by technical or requirements personnel.

Prepared by: Alan Inglis Title: Contract Specialist Signature:

DETERMINATION: I hereby determine the circumstances of this contract action deem only one source reasonably available due to the existence of an existing warranty which precludes modification by another firm.

Approved by: Brooke Moore Title: Contracting Officer Signature:

Approved by: Theresa Hampson Title: Attorney Signature: