PostedJOFOCRev2.pdf

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

LIMITED SOURCE/BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

FOR TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST, ALASKA

1. Identification of Agency and the Contracting Activity:

The Contracting Activity is the United States Forest Service, Chief Information Office (CIO), United

States Forest Service, Chief Information Office (CIO) and the Washington Office Acquisition

Management Information Technology (WO-AQM IT) Support Branch, Albuquerque Service Center, 101B Sun Ave NE, Suite 120, Albuquerque, NM 87109.

2. Nature and/or Description of Action Being Approved:

This procurement is firm fixed price to purchase four solid oxide fuel cell generators Ultra

Electronics AMI - P250i 12VDC system replacing Thermoelectric Generators (TEG) and one fuel handling system w/3000 hour filter and pressure regulator, to support the power to remote mountain top communication sites.

3. Description of Supplies or Services Required to Meet Agency’s Need Including the Estimated Value:

Nine remote radio sites utilize TEG generators are being replaced requiring over $100K in propane annually. During the summer, solar panels and batteries can power these sites. In the winter, the environment does not facilitate the use of panels due to snow and cloud cover. In order to provide reliable power that only comes on when solar and batteries fail a portable solid oxide fuel cell generator, P250i 12VDC with the following specifications are required: Can automatically turn on and off as the system requires (not run continuously) to save fuel; Can freeze solid without any negative effects on performance, without the need to have an electrical heater to keep it above freezing; Powered by commercially available LP, CNG; Deliver 250 watts of power on demand; Run time of 3000hrs or greater; fit inside a communication site on a shelf approximately 2’x2’; Exhaust is water vapor. The estimated cost of this action is $58,800.00.

4. Identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open completion:

In accordance with FAR 6.302-1, 41 USC 3304(c)(1) only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited:

Ultra Electronics AMI is the only manufacturer capable of providing a solid oxide fuel cell generator, P250i 12VDC essential to satisfying the Government’s requirements that is limited to a brand name

(the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) capable of providing Ultra Electronics AMI solid oxide fuel cell generator. The supplies or services required at the level of quality required because of the supplies or services ordered are unique or highly specialized. Over the years through trial, error, and testing this particular Forest has fine-tuned its radio system confidentiality, integrity and availability by utilizing the requested Brand-name manufacturers critical features only available through them.

The P250i Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Generator was recently purchased, tested for a year, and installed in the local Forest at 5 Radio sites. Very expensive parts and bench stock were purchased for any needed repairs, and the Forest Service spent two months on the development/construction of an exhaust port that bolts to the current P250i generator. Using other brands of this equipment will require additional bench stock of repair parts, and fabrication of new exhaust brackets in order to use different equipment. The bench stock, and man-hours required to fabricate new parts will cost more than the generator itself. Due to the requirement to fly to all sites in Alaska, and the need to access multiple sites during one mission, it is critical that any repair parts taken be able to work at any location to mitigate weight issues. Having repair parts for one system mitigates the necessity for techs to carry multiple spare parts for different brand named equipment.

This JOFOC is specific to one Brand Name manufacturer and is invoked based on the following critical requirements:

[x] The R10 Tongass National Forest’s current Portable and Mobile radio communication system is composed of and in the process of being converted to the Ultra Electronics AMI solid oxide fuel cell generator, parts and accessories; currently installed in 5 shelters.

Critical Requirements:

[ x ] Provide 250 watts of power on demand at 12VDC.

[ x ] Automatically turns on/off as power needs demand.

[ x ] Fit inside existing Pepro shelter 2’x2’ shelf space

[ x ] Powered by commercially available LP, CNG.

[ x ] Run time of 3000hrs or greater

[ x ] 0.01 watt or less standby power draw

[ x ] Operating altitude of up to 10,000 ft above sea level

[ x ] Approved for use in current Pepro shelters and will not void manufactures 20 year warranty.

[ x ] Fits existing Forest Service developed and built exhaust/intake port through the cable glands on the shelter for intake and exhaust.

[ x ] Pepro and MTDC engineered to ensure proper air circulation within 6x6, 6x8, and micro Pepro shelters.

[ x ] Supported by existing bench stock for the current fuel cells, training, and repair.

[ x ] Standardized System in order to limit funds needed for a large bench stock and to limit the amount of weight of equipment needed to go out to multiple sites in one helo trip (at $7K per trip).

We have developed a system for this fuel cell in these shelters and we have proven that it works.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies:

In reviewing the technical requirement and compatibility constraints of this project, the Technical

Program Office has determined that even by limiting full and open competition to one brand, it will not prevent the Forest Service from receiving 3 or more offers for the products being requested.

Informal market research was conducted and historical acquisition data was reviewed in which the

Forest Service will be able to obtain multiple quotes through a Request for Quote (RFQ) on Federal

Business Opportunities (Fed Biz Ops) for the Ultra Electronics AMI P250i solid oxide fuel cell generators.

7. A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

This is a firm fixed price commercial requirement which will be competed on Fed Biz Ops amongst multiple companies and it is expected that pricing will be found to be fair and reasonable based on competition 3 or more quotes.

8. A description of market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted:

Market research was accomplished on the internet in which there was partners and resellers of the

Ultra Electronics – AMI P250i 12VDC generators that could possibly respond to an open market request for quote/solicitation if posted on Fed Biz Opps. The P250i Ultra Electronics AMI brand was not found listed on GSA Schedules or NASA SEWP but can be found in the open market. In reviewing the technical requirements and compatibility constraints of this project, the primary hurdles that limit these efforts to one particular brand are derived from the technology solely possessed by

Ultra Electronics-AMI. There are no other know generators that meet the requirements in paragraph 5 above and that do not void the current PEPRO 20 year structural warranty as the aforementioned generator is approved by the shelter manufacturer and fits within the current configuration. Vendors may respond to this RFQ and provide an “or equal” solution for informational purposes that may be utilized in meeting future requirement.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition:

The Forest Service has done due diligence to ensure that the actions they are taking are within the

Federal Acquisition Regulations. It has been deemed that parts from other manufacturers are not compatible with the current requirements. By providing industry the opportunity to respond to this requirement with any possible “or equals” the barriers will continue to be tested.

10. A listing of sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition: NONE

CERTIFICATION:

The Program Office signature below provides evidence that any supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel (e.g., verifying the Government’s minimum needs or requirements or other rationale for an exception to fair opportunity) and which form a basis for the justification have been certified as complete and accurate by the technical or requirements personnel.