A22-013 Brand Name Justification- Redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

OKLAHOMA CITY AIR LOGISTICS COMPLEX (AFMC)

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE OKLAHOMA

14 July 2021

MEMORANDUM FOR OC-ALC/PZIM

FROM: OC-ALC/OBCA for 76 AMXG

SUBJECT: Brand Name Justification for A22-013 Fall Protection Ladder System

1. 76 AMXG is requesting the purchase of two (2) 3M™ DBI-SALA® FlexiGuard™ Freestanding Ladder Systems (PN 8517715). The 3M™ DBI-SALA® FlexiGuard™ Freestanding Ladder Systems provides fall protection for multiple post-dock maintenance tasks. The B-1 PDM and SRL maintenance lines require access to areas on top of the aircraft, these tasks are performed outside of the hanger where fall protection is not available. The 3M™ DBI-SALA® FlexiGuard™ Freestanding Ladder Systems provide access and fall protection to these areas of the aircraft.

2. The 3M™ DBI-SALA® FlexiGuard™ Freestanding Ladder Systems (PN 8517715) needs to be purchased to be consistent with the equipment currently in use by production. This will prevent any additional training to the user. Approximately 200 production workers use this equipment.

However, if another brand was purchased all production workers, approximately 300, would have to be trained to use the equipment. Training all employees to use a different brand item would require the development and publishing of training plans. It would take approximately 0.5 hours to train 10 employees to use a different brand, totaling approximately 30 hours to train all employees. Purchasing a different brand item would also require fit/function tests and establishing a new preventative maintenance program. There is also a safety risk with using a brand that is not the same as all existing systems. If the set-up/operating procedures on one brand are not the same as the existing equipment, a step could be missed in the process due to habit/complacency. This would increase the chance of a serious incident occurring, as this equipment is used to stop a personnel fall from an elevated surface, should one occur.

3. 3M™ DBI-SALA® equipment, proposed brand name, is the only known brand that can satisfy the Government’s requirement. Therefore, it is requested that 3M™ DBI-SALA® FlexiGuard™ Freestanding Ladder Systems equipment is procured to meet all the requirements of the program office and subsequently the warfighters.

4. Market research was performed reviewing Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) and System for Award Management (SAM) databases using North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code (333923) looking for companies that could provide 3M™ DBI-SALA® FlexiGuard™ Freestanding Ladder Systems. A review of small businesses to include 8(a), HUBZone, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, and Women Owned Small Business was conducted in search of a company that could provide 3M™ DBI-SALA® FlexiGuard™ Freestanding Ladder Systems. In review, there are several vendors who can satisfy this requirement.

5. For further information or clarification please contact Brooklyn Nei/OC-ALC/OBCA, 582-5424 for contract requirements support issues.

6. I have determined, in accordance with FAR 13, that this circumstances of this contract action deem a specific brand name to be required.