Attachment 2 - Snap-On Brand Name Justification.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

AIR EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMAND

6 March 2026

MEMORANDUM FOR 82 CONS/PKA

FROM: 362 TRS/Detachment 1

SUBJECT: Brand Name Requirements Justification

1. Description of the Supplies/Services: This requirement is for the procurement of two (2) Snap-on mobile CTK toolboxes in direct support of the HH-60 course scheduled to roll out in

FY26.

a. These toolboxes must:

(1) Support full HH-60 course tool sets and specialty tools.

(2) Provide structured drawer configurations capable of housing foam cut-outs for accountability.

(3) Include load ratings and drawer dimensions sufficient to support aviation maintenance tooling without deformation or premature wear.

(4) Provide secure locking capability in accordance with CTK/tool accountability standards.

(5) Allow safe storage and transport of student technical order (T.O.) laptops to prevent damage and course delays.

(6) Provide heavy-duty mobility to support movement between aircraft, hangar spaces, and instructional areas without reliance on fixed tool storage.

b. The Snap-on configuration selected meets all dimensional, durability, mobility, and accountability requirements necessary to execute HH-60 maintenance training without modification.

2. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Comprehensive market research was conducted to identify alternate sources capable of meeting the Government’s requirements.

a. Vendors contacted included:

(1) VSS Logistics (Margaret Hodes)

(2) Coordinated Defense Supply System (Debbie DeVos)

(3) HardwareNow LLC (Robin Benoit)

(4) Snap-On Tools (Billy Leggett)

b. Quotes were requested and compared for pricing, warranty support, durability, configuration, capability, and lifecycle sustainment.

c. Although alternate vendors were contacted, none were able to provide a configuration that met all dimensional, durability, mobility, and warranty requirements without deviation from the Government’s operational needs. Snap-on was the only vendor capable of meeting all technical, dimensional, durability, and warranty requirements without deviation from the Governments operational needs.

3. Market Research:

a. Market research included:

(1) Direct vendor engagement and written quotes

(2) Evaluation of drawer dimensions and load capacities

(3) Assessment of warranty coverage and service responsiveness

(4) Validation of toolbox compatibility with HH-60 specialty tools (including EAA tools)

(5) Confirmation of space allocation sufficient for T.O. laptop storage

b. Additionally, specialty tool dimensions were coordinated directly to ensure proper fitment within the toolbox configuration, preventing tool damage, improper storage, or modification of drawers.

c. Research determined that only the selected Snap-on configuration satisfies:

(1) Required drawer dimensions to eliminate unused voids and prevent tool shift

(2) Structural integrity required for aviation maintenance training tempo

(3) Warranty and service support appropriate for high-use instructional environments

(4) Configuration consistency between two identical CTKs

d. Based on the above, market research concluded that Snap-on is the only brand capable of meeting the Government’s full operational requirement without compromise.

4. Other Factors: The FY26 HH-60 course will rely on these CTKs for execution of maintenance training tasks. The following factors support brand name only:

a. Mission Continuity: The toolboxes are integral to supporting HH-60 training blocks.

Inadequate configuration or premature equipment failure would directly impact student progression and course flow.

b. Tool Accountability & Standardization: Identical Snap-on configurations ensure consistent drawer layout, foam cut-out integration, and inventory control across both CTKs. This reduces inspection discrepancies and mismatched tooling during high student throughput.

c. Lifecycle Cost Avoidance: Snap-on warranty and service model reduce long-term replacement and downtime costs in a high-use training environment.

d. Risk Reduction: The selected configuration prevents unused storage voids, tool shifting, improper foam integration, and laptop damage. These factors reduce risk of tool loss, damage, or training bottlenecks.

5. Actions to Remove or Overcome Barriers to Competition: This requirement is tied to initial implementation of the FY26 HH-60 course and the validated configuration necessary to support course execution. At the time, brand name only is required to ensure proper dimensional fitment, configuration control, durability, and lifecycle sustainment. Prior to any future CTK procurement, the unit will:

a. Document the validated performance characteristics of the selected configuration, including minimum drawer dimensions, load rating, mobility requirements, locking/security features, and warranty standards.

b. Develop a performance-based specification derived from operational use of the current CTKs, enabling future procurements to be completed on measurable technical requirements rather than brand name.

c. Conduct updated market research to determine whether additional commercial sources are capable of meeting those documented performance specifications.

d. Reassess whether a “brand name or equal” approach is feasible for subsequent accusations once the HH-60 course configuration and sustainment requirements are fully matured.

6. Based on the above, this brand name only justification is specific to the initial FY26 HH-60 course implementation and does not preclude competition for future acquisitions once performance specifications are formalized.

NICHOLAS W. SCHWAB, Maj, USAF Commander, 362d Training Squadron

1st Ind, 82 CONS/PKA

MEMORANDUM FOR 82 CONS/PKA

The above justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer

2d Ind, 82 CONS/PKA

MEMORANDUM FOR 362 TRS/CC

Approved/Disapproved

Chief

1455582870A Cross-Out