Attachment 11 - Brand Name Justification - Milwaukee.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification and Approval

For Other Than Full and Open Competition

1. Contracting Activity:

Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Program Contracting Activity Central (PCAC)

The proposed procurement, Invitation for Bid (IFB) 36C77622B0017, is for the EHRM Training and Admin Support Space – Milwaukee, WI Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center (VAMC).

2. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Processed:

This justification is to support the EHRM Training and Admin Support Space construction project at the Clement J. Zablocki VAMC, that will be awarded as a firm fixed price contract. This justification is for other than full and open competition for the procurement of certain construction materials. The use of a particular brand name for the items listed below accommodates standardization of these items throughout the facility.

a. Fire Alarm Annunciation Equipment

i. Siemens Cerberus Pyrotronics System

b. HVAC Controls

i. Johnson Controls Metasys Building Automation and HVAC Control System

c. Door Hardware

i. Sargent Locksets and Medeco keying system

d. Card Reader

i. HID MultiCLASS SE

3. Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency’s Needs:

This procurement is for the EHRM Training and Admin Support Space construction project at the Clement J. Zablocki VAMC. The scope includes everything necessary to renovate approximately 21,000 SF of building 6 and 7,600 SF of building 20 that meets the requirements of the Department of Veterans Affairs. There are four brand name items listed for which the VA is not able to accept equal or alternate items. The value of these items is listed below and the VAAR Construction magnitude for the entire project is between $5,000,000 and $10,000,000.

a. Fire Alarm Annunciation Equipment

i. Siemens Cerberus Pyrotronics System

ii. Value:

iii. Description: Siemens Cerberus Pyrotronics System is the only product that allows for a single fire alarm system to be used throughout the Milwaukee facility. VA Milwaukee currently has the Cerberus Pyrotronics System as the campus wide fire alarm system. The equipment to be installed will be monitored by the existing campus wide Pyrotronics Fire Alarm.

b. HVAC Controls

i. Johnson Controls Metasys Building Automation and HVAC Control System

ii. Value:

iii. Description: The Johnson Controls Metasys Building Automation and HVAC Control

System is the only product that allows for a single HVAC control system for the Milwaukee facility. Johnson Controls Metasys control system is the campus wide building and HVAC control System. The equipment to be installed will be monitored and controlled by Johnson Controls Metasys Building Automation and HVAC Control System. A new panel and necessary controllers will be installed and tied into the existing system, to be monitored and controlled by VA’s ‘Graphics’ shop.

c. Door Hardware

i. Sargent Locksets and Medeco keying system

ii. Value:

iii. Description: Sargent 11 Series T zone cylindrical lockset and Sargent 8200 series

Mortise Locksets with Medeco 7 pin interchangeable cylindrical cores, LCN Closers (Mechanical, Electronic Hold Open, Electromagnetic), Von Duprin Exit Devices and Hager Hinges are facility standards. It would be extremely cumbersome and expensive to maintain completely separate locking systems.

d. Card Reader

i. HID MultiCLASS SE

ii. Value:

iii. Description: The product series HID MultiCLASS SE card readers are facility standards. This card reader series works with all current credentials in circulation, and the different security software packages currently in use. It would be extremely cumbersome and expensive to maintain separate access control systems.

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition:

(X) (1) Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy

Agency Requirements per FAR 6.302 1; 41 U.S.C. § 3304(a)(1) ( ) (2) Unusual and Compelling Urgency per FAR 6.302 2;

( ) (3) Industrial Mobilization, Engineering, Developmental or Research Capability or Expert Services per FAR 6.302 3;

( ) (4) International Agreement per FAR 6.302 4 ( ) (5) Authorized or Required by Statute FAR 6.302 5;

( ) (6) National Security per FAR 6.302 6;

( ) (7) Public Interest per FAR 6.302 7;

5. Demonstration that the Contractor’s Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority):

These items have been standardized throughout the Clement J. Zablocki VAMC. Installing a different manufacturers’ system will create significant duplication in cost for the facility, and in most cases the equipment will not function properly. The specific impact for not using the brand name items is listed below:

a. Fire Alarm Annunciation Equipment

i. Siemens Cerberus Pyrotronics System

ii. Impact: The fire alarm system will activate alarms within the building to alert occupants that assistance may be required. Installation of a system that interfaces properly with the existing system will ensure patient safety is maintained at the highest level. Additionally, installation of components that match the existing fire alarm system minimizes maintenance costs and bench stock requirements. No other system will integrate with our existing fire protection system. It is necessary to match the existing system to ensure there are no interface problems and that system operation and maintenance is maintained to ensure patient and worker safety.

b. HVAC Controls

i. Johnson Controls Metasys Building Automation and HVAC Control System

ii. Impact: This product, the Johnson Controls Metasys Building Automation and HVAC

Control System, is the only product that allows for a single HVAC control system for the Milwaukee facility. Johnson Controls Metasys control system is the campus wide building and HVAC control System. An incompatible system may require installation of new “front end” and remote workstations as well as new software and programming. Additionally, installation of components that match the existing building automation system minimizes maintenance costs and bench stock requirements. It is necessary to match the existing system to ensure there are no interface problems, impacts to patient safety and familiarity of the product to the staff and maintenance personnel. This is the only way to ensure complete compatibility and that the campus will not have two HVAC control systems on the Milwaukee campus.

c. Door Hardware

i. Sargent Locksets and Medeco keying system

ii. Impact: The medical center requires all construction incorporate the Sargent

Locksets and Medeco keying system, LCN Closers (Mechanical, Electronic Hold Open, Electromagnetic), Von Duprin exit devices and Hager hinges because experience has found out that “approved equals” are not at all equal in quality. It is also important to note that maintaining bench stock for the parts and keying components of an entirely different locking system and hardware sets would be expensive and time consuming. Use of another brand would require duplicating efforts in training and double the stock on hand for replacement parts. These items are competitively priced and are widely available.

d. Card Reader

i. HID MultiCLASS SE

ii. Impact: The medical center requires all new construction to incorporate the HID

MultiCLASS SE card readers. This is the only compatible card reader series balancing out Physical security requirements, IT requirements, old key card credentials, and new key card credentials. It is also important to note that maintaining bench stock for the parts and components of multiple different access control system would be expensive and time consuming. Use of other brands would require duplicating efforts in training and increase the stock on hand for replacement parts. These items are competitively priced and are widely available.

6. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable:

In accordance with the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA), the components listed above are identified as brand name; however, the overall procurement will be competed as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Set Aside. This Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition will be posted to Contract Opportunities with the solicitation.

7. Determination by the Contracting Officer (CO) that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable:

Government estimate was prepared and provided by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). The anticipated price to the Government for the items requested to be brand name is approximately .

The items for which brand name approval is being requested are subsequent components to the overall construction project. This procurement will be competed and based on competition; the CO will make a determination of fair and reasonable pricing prior to award.

8. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted:

The market research for the equipment was conducted and prepared by the COR and shared with the CO for further review. The VA has not been able to identify any other fire alarm system that offers a seamless integration with the existing system. The VA has conducted research into other Building Automation and HVAC Control systems and has found that they are not compatible with our standards. The other products on the market would require additional cost to maintain within the facility. The VA has conducted research into other door hardware and card readers and has found that these are inferior and not compatible with our standards. The other products on the market would require additional cost to maintain within the facility. The CO was in concurrence with information provided that supported the brand name items. Approval of the items as brand name only is critical for the overall efficiency of the completed project and the Clement J. Zablocki VAMC, as a whole.

9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition:

New components must be able to tie into an existing and operational system including the use of software. At this time, there are no competing vendors whose products are fully compatible with the existing system being used at the Clement J. Zablocki VAMC.

10. Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition:

Not applicable. It is the responsibility of the offerors and the general contractor awarded the project to locate suppliers and obtain pricing for all materials and components, including the items listed in this justification.

11. A Statement of the Actions, if any, the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome any Barriers to Competition before Making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required:

There will be competition for the overall procurement. It will be the responsibility of the offerors to obtain pricing from the suppliers of the items and to submit a competitive proposal for the project.

12. Requirements Certification: I certify that the requirement outlined in this justification is a Bona Fide need of the Department of Veterans Affairs and that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Andrew Jacobs Date COR/Facility Planner Clement J. Zablocki VAMC

13. Approvals in accordance with FAR 6.304

a. Contracting Officer's Certification (required): I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Donald A. Marsh III Date Contracting Officer VHA Program Contracting Activity Central (PCAC)

Donald A. Marsh 1489406

Digitally signed by Donald A. Marsh 1489406 Date: 2022.01.24 11:22:35 -05'00' andrew c. jacobs 255772 Digitally signed by andrew c. jacobs 255772 Date: 2022.01.25 13:41:42 -06'00'