Attachment 1 Justification and Approval Redacted.pdf

Department of the Air Force: Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition

CUI

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I. Agency and Contracting Activity (RFO 6.104-1(a)(1)):

Agency: USAFE- AFAFRICA Contracting Activity: 765 ABS/CONF

II. Nature and/or description of the action being approved (RFO 6.104-1(a)(2)):

This document approves the award of a Firm-Fixed-Price Contract on a limited source basis for a brand-name only requirement. This action is for the purchase and turn-key installation of a Cummins® Model C220D5EQ Portable Diesel Generator System in support of the critical walk-in cold storage units at Lajes Field. This justification is made on an Individual basis.

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs (RFO 6.104-1(a)(3)):

The requirement is for a single, firm-fixed-price contract for the turn-key purchase and installation of a brand-name mandatory portable diesel generator system. The total estimated value of this action is $ to be funded by Fiscal Year 2026.

The generator will provide critical emergency backup power for the 765 ABS/FSVF walk-in cold storage units at building T-326. Per the AFCEC Memorandum dated 19 May 2023 and the associated "Generator Authorization and Design Approval Request," Lajes AB is only authorized to purchase Cummins® brand generators.

The scope includes the following major supplies and services:

Major Item: One (1) brand-name mandatory Cummins® Model C220D5EQ Portable Diesel Generator Set. Key specifications include a Cummins® QSB7-G5 engine, Stamford UC274H alternator, 400V/230V output, 220 KVA ESP, and a 400-liter fuel tank.

Ancillary Equipment: The acquisition includes all necessary components for a fully operational system:

One (1) 400A Manual Transfer Switch One (1) 400A Safety Disconnect Main Breaker One (1) Emergency Enclosed Panel Board One (1) Generator Trailer Installation Services: Complete on-site installation at building T-326, including all power cabling (RZ1-K 1x150mm2), connectors, and the installation of a generator grounding system.

IV. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition (RFO 6.104-1(a)(4)):

10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

V. Rationale for Use of Authority (RFO 6.104-1(a)(5)):

This acquisition must be restricted to a brand-name Cummins® product to satisfy the agency's needs due to an explicit directive from a higher engineering authority. The Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) has mandated specific requirements for generator acquisitions at Lajes Field to ensure standardization, interoperability, and logistical supportability.

Specifically, the "Generator Authorization and Design Approval Request" for this project, which was reviewed and approved by AFCEC, along with the governing AFCEC Memorandum dated 19 May 2023, expressly authorizes only the procurement of Cummins® brand generators for this application. These documents establish the Cummins® Model C220D5EQ as the required solution to provide emergency power to the critical walk-in cold storage units in the base commissary (T-326).

Procuring any other brand of generator would directly violate this AFCEC directive and introduce a non-standard piece of critical equipment into the installation's inventory. This would create significant long-term interoperability issues and place an unnecessary burden on the base's maintenance personnel, who are trained and equipped to service the standardized Cummins® fleet. Introducing a different brand would require separate training, specialized tools, and a distinct supply chain

March 2026 Page 3 of 4March 2026 Page 3 of 4 for spare parts, thereby increasing life-cycle costs and complicating logistical support at a remote location.

The requirement is not to a specific vendor, but to a specific brand of product that is essential to meet the Government’s needs. While the brand is restricted, the acquisition will be competed among all responsible local vendors capable of providing the specified Cummins® generator and performing the required turn-key installation. This approach ensures the Government meets its critical, technically-driven requirements while still obtaining a fair and reasonable price. Therefore, no other type of supply will satisfy the agency's needs.

VI. Integrated Market Analysis and Efforts to Solicit Competition (RFO 6.104-1(a)(6), (8), and (10)):

Market research was conducted to identify sources capable of providing the brand-name mandatory Cummins® generator and associated turn-key installation services in the Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal. This research confirms that while the brand is specific, a competitive market of authorized distributors and contractors exists.

A previous attempt to fulfill this requirement was made in Fiscal Year 2025 under solicitation number FA448625Q0009.

Although this solicitation was ultimately canceled due to a lack of funding, it served as effective market research. Four (4) competitive quotes were received from local vendors: ATJP, CITEL, JAurora, and MM CARTOR VHC. The receipt of these quotes demonstrates that there is adequate interest and capability within the local market to support this requirement.

For the current acquisition, the Government will build upon this successful market research. In accordance with RFO procedures, a synopsis of this requirement will be posted on the System for Award Management (SAM.gov), announcing the Government's intent to procure the specified brand-name generator. This notice ensures that any interested parties, including those not identified in the previous solicitation, have an opportunity to express interest.

Furthermore, direct oral solicitations will be sent to the local vendors who have previously demonstrated their capability and interest in this project. The award will be made to the responsible vendor that meets all the required elements in the Product Description and provides the lowest priced quote and in the best interest of the Government to provide the mandatory Cummins® product. This strategy ensures that the Government's needs are met while maximizing competition to the greatest extent possible under a brand-name restriction.

VII. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost (RFO 6.104-1(a)(7)):

The Contracting Officer is responsible for evaluating, determining, and documenting the anticipated contract cost/price is fair and reasonable in accordance with RFO Subpart 15.4, Contract Pricing.

VIII. Any Other Facts Supporting the Justification (RFO 6.104-1(a)(9)):

This brand-name requirement is directly tied to mission sustainment and risk mitigation at a remote, overseas location. The generator will provide emergency power to the 765 ABS/FSVF walk-in cold storage units, located at the commissary in Building T-326. These units are critical as they store the perishable goods required to support the TORC in Building T-121, which is the sole feeding establishment for the installation. A prolonged power outage would result in the spoilage of perishable food stores, directly impacting personnel health and welfare and creating a significant logistical and financial burden due to limited shipping capabilities to the Azores.

Furthermore, compliance with the explicit engineering directive from AFCEC (Memorandum dated 19 May 2023) is mandatory.

Procuring a non-standard generator would violate this directive and create unacceptable life-cycle sustainment challenges, including increased maintenance costs, separate training requirements, and a more complex supply chain. Therefore, approval of this justification is essential to comply with higher headquarters guidance and prevent a direct, foreseeable negative impact on the mission.

IX. Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition (RFO 6.104-1(a)(11):

The primary barrier to full and open competition is the mandatory directive from the Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) requiring the use of Cummins® brand generators for standardization at Lajes Field. This requirement is based on strategic, long-term decisions regarding asset interoperability, maintenance efficiency, and logistical supportability at a remote, overseas location.

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The local contracting activity has no authority to waive or alter this higher-level engineering directive. Consequently, no actions can be taken at this level to remove the barrier for subsequent acquisitions of this nature. This brand-name requirement is expected to remain in place as long as the AFCEC standardization memorandum of 19 May 2023, or a similar directive, is in effect. Future market research for similar requirements will confirm if this directive remains active.