Attachment 2 - BN Justification - Corbin Russwin Locksets.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification and Approval For

Other Than Full and Open Competition Corbin Russwin Door Locksets

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office (NCO) 10, 3140 Governor’s Place Blvd, Suite 210, Kettering, OH 45409.

The Requesting Agency is VISN 10, Cincinnati VAMC Medical Center, Engineering Service (138), 3200 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220. The Solicitation Number is 36C25022B0013.

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

Engineering Service is requesting approval to use other than full and open competition to solicit a Brand Name Only for door lockset manufactured by Corbin Russwin, for use on Project No. 539-21-211, Remodel Front Entrance, Cincinnati VAMC. This project will be awarded as a new Firm-Fixed Price contract. This Justification and Approval (J&A) is submitted pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C 2304(c)(1) or 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), which provides that full and open competition need not be obtained where there is “only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.”

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6.302-1(c)(ii) “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.”

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

The subject project involves the construction to remodel the front entrance at the Cincinnati VAMC. Each new door installed under this project will include a mortised, lever handled door lockset, containing a seven (7) pin non-combinated removable core cylinder. Cylinders are removable with a special key or tool without disassembly of knob or lockset. Core meets the medical center policy for key locks. One grand master key is available to open all doors by authorized individuals. The estimated value of the Corbin Russwin Lock Sets are $1,500.00. The Estimated Value of the Remodel Front Entrance project is $937,562.68.

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;

( ) (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):

To meet needs stated above the medical center currently utilizes a “Corbin-Russwin HO Keyway Great Grand Master Key System”, single master key system is essential to the Governments requirements, thereby precluding consideration of a product manufactured by another company. In addition the core system is a requirement of VA engineering policy MP–3 and Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Master Specifications. As the Cincinnati VA medical center continues to move toward consolidation, patient and staff safety concerns remain at the forefront of design decisions when selecting systems. Accordingly, Corbin-Russwin is the only manufacture capable of providing the lock cylinders described in section three (3) above without the Veteran’s Health Administration experiencing substantial duplication of cost that could not be expected to be recovered through competition. To change to a different locking system would require numerous master keys potentially causing delays in accessing all area of the campus in event of emergencies. The lock set requested allows the facility to expand and renovate as required and maintain the ability to meet patient and staff safety requirements.

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

The construction documents created by our contracted A/E firm, John Poe Architects, specifically mentions the continued use of Corbin Russwin Door Lock Sets. Efforts were not made to solicit from other lock lift manufacturers, because it is John Poe Architects expert opinion that utilizing other lock manufacturer’s locksets would decrease the consistency and reliability of the facility’s operations. This in turn would cause the patient care provided to our veterans to suffer. This solicitation will be publicized via Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps). The approved J&A for Corbin Russwin locksets will be posted with the solicitation.

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

To counteract the lack of competition in the acquisition and installation of the Corbin Russwin Door Lock Sets, the entire project will be solicited as an Invitation for Bid (IFB).

Furthermore, because Corbin Russwin is being purchased at prices consistent with their GSA contract, their prices have been determined to be fair and reasonable.

Determination of fair and reasonableness of cost will be based upon a complete price analysis and Independent Government Cost Estimate. A search of the VetBiz database indicated the availability of 1822 SDVOSB’s across the nation with North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 236220 (Commercial and Institutional Building Construction). Based upon the IGCE and previous purchases, the contracting officer believes that the anticipated cost to the government for the entire project will be fair and reasonable.

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 this J&A is for the Corbin Russwin Door Lock Sets only.

Pricing for the Corbin Russwin Door Lock Sets is by the A&E based on past experience with sole sourcing. The Corbin Russwin Door Lock Sets have been in place and maintained here at the Cincinnati VAMC. This facility has standardized these locksets throughout the hospital in order to function properly for patient safety. The medical center has investigated the ability of other lock manufactures to operate within the requirement to have the ability to open all doors with one single grand master key and have not found this to be a possibility. Corbin Russwin locks are a national known manufacturer with numerous distributors available. In accordance with FAR 6.302-1, it is in the best interest of the Government to purchase the same brand of door lock sets.

As described in Section VI above, market research, in accordance with FAR Part 10, was conducted by synopsis of the proposed acquisition, sources sought and soliciting inquiries from interested parties. As stated earlier, Market Research was conducted using a Federal Opportunities synopsis and using queries of the VET BIZ database.

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

All door lock manufacturers have proprietary keyways on their lock cylinders, which by their very nature are designed to be operable only by a key of the same cut and shape.

Because the keyways are proprietary, only that manufacturer can create a key which will fit its own lock cylinder. The reason for proprietary keyways is the very same reason door locks are needed – it’s one of security. Also for reasons of security, it is not desirable to have multiple lock manufacturers for multiple doors – not only is it inefficient to try and keep track which lock is manufactured by which manufacturer, it is also critical for Police Service to have a master key at its disposal which can operate any lockset at the facility. The presence of multiple manufactured keyways would not allow this critical need to happen. Since the Cincinnati VA Medical Center currently has locksets manufactured by Corbin Russwin, then all additional locksets must match the Corbin Russwin keyway – and only locksets manufactured by Corbin Russwin can do that. Door lock sets play a critical role in maintaining the security of the facility. In addition, the necessity of providing a lock set which has a cylinder that can be operated by the facility master key, a single source manufacturer of the door lock sets allows the VA locksmith shop to respond to all key request and maintenance issues quickly and efficiently. A brand name manufacturer also allows for prompt technical support whenever problems are encountered.

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

As described in Section 6 above, market research, in accordance with FAR Part 10, was conducted by synopsis and a review of VIPS. The pre-solicitation notice was for the entire project.

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:

Solicitations for future requirements will utilize “brand name” language, if it is in the Government’s best interest to do so. The current requirement must be solicited using a brand name description because the Government needs to create an exact copy of an item that is currently in use.

12. Requirements Certification:

I certify the supporting data, including the statement of the Government’s minimum needs and other rationale for other than full and open competition is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. (FAR Subpart 6.303-1(b))

PAIGE N. BACH Date Project Engineer, Engineering Service VAMC – Cincinnati, OH

13. Approvals in accordance with FAR 6.304

Contracting Officer's Certification: I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. I certify the justification meets requirements for other than full and open competition.

LUKE TURNER Date Contracting Officer Network Contracting Office (NCO) 10 paige n. bach 3627542 Digitally signed by paige n. bach 3627542 Date: 2021.11.16 07:34:01 -05'00'