Open_Market_-_Brand_Name.docx

Open Market-Brand Name Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity

1. Requiring and Contracting Activity

a. Requiring Activity: Armed Forces Retirement Home 3700 N. Capitol Street, NW Washington, DC 20011-8400

b. Contracting Activity: Department of Treasury Bureau of Public Debt Division of Procurement 200 Third St – A5-F Parkersburg, WV 26101

2. Description of Required Supplies or Services:

The Edwards EST3 Fire Alarm Control Panel with associated peripheral devices, computers, etc. to make the system function. This value of this acquisition will be in the range of $400,000 - $600,000.

3. Rationale for determination for Brand Name

The Edwards fire alarm panels are only compatible with other Edwards' panels. Flawless Communication between panels is essential in order for personnel to be alerted to fires, a life safety issue. Since the Edwards System was installed in a new commons building under a design/build contract procured by GSA, it is both economical and necessary to meet mission requirements to have any new system installed in other buildings to be compatible with the Edwards System that has been installed in the new commons buildings. This building relies on the' communication between panels in order to function and maintain the campus fire monitoring system and to preserve the integrity of life safety support.

4. Market Survey

AFRH had a Fire Protection Engineering firm perform a study of the current system and the new system going into the new building in order to provide them recommendations on the possible systems and functions that could be installed to provide continued fire monitoring protection. After research, the Engineer determined that without replacing the new Edwards Fire Panel in the new commons building to match a different system that was installed in another building, there was no way to continue the campus fire monitoring system. Also, the government would incur significant additional costs if an attempt is made to engineer a solution other than the Edwards System.

Although there are other systems available in the market, for the reasons stated above a market survey was not conducted.

Future acquisitions for goods and services that are required by the Armed Forces Retirement Home will be conducted by posting on FedBizOpps or soliciting on the General Schedules on a fair opportunity basis.