A16_Limited_Source_-_Sole_Source_-_redacted_-_signed_1.pdf

Limited Source – Sole Source – 0040548757 Page 1 of 3

LIMITED SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

for SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS OVER $2,500 AND UP TO $150,000 (See FAR 8.405-6(a)(b)(1))

Date: 08/26/2021 PR Number: 0040548757

1. Nature and/or description of the item/service being procured and its intended use (include the anticipated cost):

National Park Service (NPS), National Capital Area Communication Center (NCACC) is updating their communication center. The dispatch center has the requirement for new dispatch console furniture to accommodate their seven (7) radio console positions and one (1) office desk. Dispatch console furniture is an exclusive style of furniture that needs to meet ANSI/HFES 100-2007 ergonomic guidelines, which requires complete adjustability of the whole console unit. These radio consoles include sit or stand work surface adjustment, with easy precise position replication of a true sit – stand adjustment range. The units will accommodate up to monitors (4) - 27-inch HD flat panel monitors per workstation. Vented cabinets will be at each station to accommodate CPU’s for the consoles as well as computer servers for the National Crime information systems (NCIC) /ACJIS, Enhanced 911 system and other equipment. The total estimated cost for this acquisition is $58,300.00.

2. Sole Source Justification rationale (Check one and explain below):

X Only one responsible source.

_ __ Urgent and compelling circumstances exist. Include critical delivery or performance dates, and when you became aware of the requirement. Provide a specific statement of the impact on Government operations, financial or otherwise, if the required delivery or performance dates are not met.

______ Other _____________________________________________________

Explain:

This acquisition is to be awarded under a GSA Schedule Contract as a Delivery Order. Any orders placed under a Federal Supply Schedule (GSA Schedule) are exempt from the requirements in FAR Part 6, as authorized by FAR 8.405-6(a).

Through market research it was determined that dispatch type consoles are available on the open market through a limited number of manufactures and vendors, and through one (1) manufacturer on GSA Schedules. The consoles are available in a variety of standard sizes, shapes and finishes. The NCA Communication Center Manager has consulted with the vendor, Xybix Systems Inc./ErgoFlex Systems, Inc.(ErgoFlex)) who has provided three (3) dispatch radio consoles to the Communications Center in the past that are still in use. The National Capital Area Communication Center Manager based the decision to use Xybix on the research that was done during the design of the new dispatch center, along with the current console desk manufactures that are on GSA. Other manufactures would require significant modification to the current raised flooring system at the center as well as not providing the same high-quality features needed for dispatchers to perform their 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year job duties.

This furniture will also provide for a consistent look and features with their communication centers existing furniture.

All Communication/Dispatch center consoles have complete adjustability for sit or stand capability. However, with the NCACC, they wanted to ensure that the consoles were adequate to accommodate multiple users with different ergonomic needs. All the NPS employees who are trained would be familiar with the dispatch console features and adjustment points, and even employees who never participated in any crossing training would be able to jump right in an emergency, and adjust the console to their individual working needs, without stopping to disrupting the workflow, or damaging the equipment.

Having adjustable dispatch units from the same manufacturer provides standardization and minimizes damage to units, because the adjustment features are not the same from manufacture to manufacturer. Plus having units from the same bnmccabe Highlight

Limited Source – Sole Source – 0040548757 Page 2 of 3 manufacture allows for compatibility with the three (3) existing console desks. These consoles and cabinets will have permanent electrical outlets installed into the unit, so there would be no power cords or computer cables on the floor, they may pose a potential tripping hazard (see OSHA standards 1910.22). Each radio consoles unit would require a built in wire chase, in between the four (4) positions, for data/power hookup on the top of the console.

ErgoFlex systems are extremely familiar with the hardware and requirements of an NPS communication centers. They are capable of problem-solving and pin-pointing solutions to issues that may arise in the installation of these consoles, based on their previous experience with other NPS locations. They have the familiarity with the form, function, health, and performance as well as the ergonomic support for those individuals in the 24/7 work environment. The contractor is both familiar with the product and the locations where they are to be installed. The work to be performed under this contract is custom in nature, only in terms that they will be providing consoles specific to the specs of our existing dispatch center with limited space.

ErgoFlex furniture completed the old NCACC communication center in Hagerstown, MD and the quality of the consoles is familiar to the manager of the center. ErgoFlex, through market research was found to be the only manufacturer on Federal Supply Schedules (GSA). Since GSA Schedules are a mandatory source, as authorized by FAR 8.002 (a)(1)(vi), and ErgoFlex was determined to be the only manufacturer capable of responding to this requirement. As a result, only ErgoFlex is being considered for this requirement as, authorized by FAR 8.405-6 (b)(1).

3. Market Research. Please explain the results or why one was not performed. State whether any other offers were received or anyone expressed interest:

Market research was conducted by the NCA Chief Ranger. The console desk was part of the design of the new dispatch center starting in September 2020. Throughout the development of the design the current desk configuration was used for the placement in the raised floor systems, electrical and communication floor boxes. Over the multiple design stages several other vendors were looked at for desks, Dispatch products, Xybix, and Eaton. Through the design team it was determined that Xybix offered the best product, and its layout was used for the design of the command center.

The CO conducted further market research using internet search engines and GSA Schedules. Internet searches revealed several manufactures of dispatch type furniture, but only Ergoflex Systems had a current GSA Schedule.

When the CO conducted market research on GSA schedule, it was found that this type of furniture was only available under GSA Schedule SIN 33721. There were about 194 small business contractors under that SIN, but after examining over half of the websites, the CO could only find that Ergoflex Systems was the only vendor who specialized in manufacturing dispatch type furniture.

Based on the NCA West MABO Lead’s personal experience, having worked in this industry for over fifteen (15) years, any custom manufactured item will cost significantly more, especially when it is an item that is not manufactured on a daily basis. Since ErgoFlex, specializes in dispatch furniture, it is reasonable to conclude that they would offer the best pricing, because even if it a custom size, they manufacture these items every day, in every possible configuration. This knowledge and experience allow ErgoFlex to offer a specialized high quality product at a reasonable price. Only manufactures that make this specific type of product on a daily basis would be able to offer this product at reasonable prices.

The CO also search the Federal Prison Industries (UNICOR) website, as encouraged by FAR 8.601 (e), but based on the CO’s previous experience with UNICOR’s pricing, it had been found to considerably higher when compared to similar items on the open market. Plus, after further research it was determined that UNICOR did offer the specific type of dispatch furniture required for this acquisition. Since the purchase from UNICOR is not mandatory, according to FAR 8.605, the CO determined that this type of product was not available through UNICOR, they are not going to be considered for this acquisition, as authorized by FAR 8.602 (a)(1) and (4) and 8.605 (a)(1).

4. If this is a determination for sole source, each signer certifies that the justification is accurate:

a. Only one (1) responsible source.

Limited Source – Sole Source – 0040548757 Page 3 of 3

Project Officer Date

I hereby certify that this requirement does not exceed the Government’s minimum needs or schedule requirements and that the basis for award under other than full and open competition is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer Date

Over $25,000: (if applicable)

Warranted CO, 1 Level Above Contracting Officer Date