Attachment 3 - Brand Name Justification and Approval.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

10TH CONTRACTING SQUADRON

USAF ACADEMY COLORADO

Your Purchase…Our Purpose!

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

10th CONTRACTING SQUADRON

USAF ACADEMY, COLORADO

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL (J&A) FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN

COMPETITION (FOR ACQUISITIONS UNDER THE STREAMLINED COMMERCIAL SIMPLIFIED

PROCEDURES OF RFO PART 12)

1. AGENCY AND CONTRACTING ACTIVITY

Requiring Activity: USAFA DF/DFT (Academic Chief Technology Office)

Contracting Activity: USAFA 10 CONS/PKB, USAF Academy, CO 80840

CIPS Requirement Number: 10CS-2026-01147

Electronic Contract File Reference: KTFS FE 358

2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION BEING APPROVED

This action is a new, Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract to procure, deliver, professionally install, and dispose of brand-name Epson and AVerMedia audio-visual components across 243 classrooms.

Because the required brand-name equipment is manufactured in non-TAA compliant countries

(the Philippines and China), this requirement cannot be executed via the mandatory GSA 2GIT vehicle. To resolve this conflict and authorize open-market sourcing, USAFA/A6 has formally approved the mandatory source bypass within the CIPS system under CIPS Requirement

Number 10CS-2026-01147.

This brand-name requirement will be solicited openly on SAM.gov as a commercial RFQ, ensuring full and open competition among authorized dealers to the maximum extent practicable.

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES/SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE

AGENCY’S NEEDS

The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) requires an integrated, turn-key classroom collaboration solution to upgrade 243 cadet classrooms in Buildings 2354 and 2355. This action includes the following specific brand-name hardware components and ancillary installation/removal services:

• CLIN 0001 (Hardware): Brand Name Epson BrightLink 1485Fi Interactive Projectors

(285 EA, FFP)

• CLIN 0002 (Hardware): Brand Name AVerMedia GS68-C Soundbars (249 EA, FFP).

The proprietary, manufacturer-certified audio output module natively integrated and technically synchronized with the Epson BrightLink 1485Fi projector to operate as a single, unified classroom collaboration system.

• CLIN 0003 (Services): Installation of 270 Projectors and 244 Soundbars (1 EA, FFP).

• CLIN 0004 (Services): De-installation & Transport/Disposal of 270 Legacy Projectors to

DRMO at Bldg. 324, Wickersham Blvd, Fort Carson, CO (1 EA, FFP)

Estimated Value: Over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold ($250,000) but less than

$2,000,000 (Estimated at $850,000 to $950,000).

Funding: Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Funds, current Fiscal Year.

4. STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING OTHER THAN FULL AND

OPEN COMPETITION

This brand-name acquisition is conducted under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1901, as implemented by Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) Section 12.201-1 (Simplified Procedures) and RFO

Table 12-1 (Authority Citations for Restricting Competition). Under these combined streamlined commercial procedures, competition is restricted to specific brand-name products (Epson and

AVerMedia) to meet the unique operational requirements of the academic mission.

5. DEMONSTRATION THAT THE CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE

QUALIFICATIONS OR THE NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES

THE USE OF THE AUTHORITY CITED

The primary mission of USAFA DF/DFT is to deliver uninterrupted, high-definition interactive academic instruction to the cadet wing. The Epson BrightLink 1485Fi is highly differentiated by the unique combination of capabilities it provides, which are essential to the Academy's high-altitude operating environment and specific classroom instructional requirements.

To validate these requirements, the customer conducted a physical, hands-on testing phase in live classrooms, procuring and evaluating three distinct models. The results of this testing phase demonstrate why the Epson BrightLink 1485Fi is the only commercial product that meets the

Academy's mission requirements:

• VUE Sonic Projector (Model LS832WU) - Disqualified: While the VUE Sonic projector demonstrated excellent image clarity, the U.S. Air Force Academy is situated at an elevation of 7,258 feet above sea level. Operating electronic equipment at this altitude requires enabling the device's "High Altitude Mode" to prevent overheating. During physical testing in this mode, the VUE Sonic's internal cooling fans operated at a decibel level that was too loud to be used during active classroom instruction, severely interfering with faculty-cadet communication.

• Epson Projector (Model HA99A) - Disqualified: The Epson HA99A is a high-performance ultra-short-throw projector. However, physical testing and site surveys revealed that its chassis and throw-distance parameters would require extensive, cost-prohibitive structural facility modifications. Installing this model would require removing the base's established ceiling grid and relocating fixed classroom light fixtures, which would severely disrupt the academic calendar and require extensive Civil Engineering coordination.

• Epson BrightLink 1485Fi - Approved: The Epson BrightLink 1485Fi demonstrated outstanding clarity and operated at a very low acoustic level of only 27dB in Quiet Mode, even when high-altitude cooling was engaged. Most importantly, it features native, integrated multi-user interactivity (supporting simultaneous pen and finger-touch writing), allowing faculty to write directly on the projection and manipulate content in real-time without requiring a separate, external interactive board. It fits existing ceiling mounts, requiring zero modification of the ceiling grid or lighting.

Attempting to replace the Epson 1485Fi with any other TAA-compliant projector would not only fail to replicate this integrated interactive functionality but would require purchasing separate interactive whiteboards and paying for extensive, disruptive facility modifications under an upcoming USAFA Form 332 CE work request.

6. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS ARE

SOLICITED FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS PRACTICABLE

In accordance with RFO Part 10 (Market Research), 10 CONS posted a formal Sources Sought notice on GSA 2GIT. Responding vendors verified that the Epson projectors are made in the

Philippines, and the AVerMedia soundbars are assembled in China, making them non-TAA compliant and ineligible for GSA sale.

10 CONS will post the solicitation openly on SAM.gov as a Brand Name Commercial Product

RFQ. Because there is a highly competitive and active commercial dealer network of authorized

Epson and AVerMedia distributors, posting this requirement to SAM.gov will ensure that multiple competitive quotes are received, securing the best possible value for the government.

7. CONTRACTING OFFICER DETERMINATION THAT THE ANTICIPATED

COST TO THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAIR AND REASONABLE

The Contracting Officer will determine that the anticipated cost of this acquisition is fair and reasonable prior to award in accordance with RFO Section 12.203 (Evaluation). This determination will be based on competitive market quotes obtained from the open-market solicitation on SAM.gov, comparison with the Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE), and/or historical pricing paid by the government for similar classroom AV installations.

8. DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED AND THE

RESULTS

Market research was conducted between June and August 2026. This research included a formal

GSA 2GIT Sources Sought notice, a comprehensive review of commercial AV catalogs, and the physical testing of three projector models (VUE Sonic LS832WU, Epson HA99A, and Epson

BrightLink 1485Fi) within the USAFA classroom environment.

The physical testing confirmed that the Epson BrightLink 1485Fi is the only model that achieves the low-noise high-altitude operation (27dB) and integrated finger-touch interactivity required for cadet instruction without requiring extensive, expensive facility modifications.

To resolve the TAA and mandatory-source conflicts identified during the GSA RFI, the contracting officer secured a mandatory source bypass waiver approved by USAFA/A6XP via

CIPS #10CS-2026-01147.

9. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL

AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pivoting to an alternative "or equal" TAA-compliant projector brand would require a multi-month physical product demonstration and compatibility testing phase. This would require issuing an RFI, waiting for alternative manufacturers to build and ship demo units, coordinating base access, physically mounting the units, and testing them on MissionNet.

This process would easily delay the project past the target October 15, 2026 start date, pushing the installation back by 30 to 60 days and severely disrupting USAFA's academic calendar. By contrast, proceeding with the open-market Epson buy adds minimal administrative lead time to transition the solicitation to SAM.gov, successfully protecting the academic mission.

10. LIST OF THE SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED, IN WRITING, AN

INTEREST IN THE ACQUISITION

The following GSA 2GIT contract holders responded to the initial Sources Sought notice, expressing interest in bidding if the requirement is competed on the open market:

• B&M DISTRIBUTION, INC. (L5LLDE8E6GM4)

• PAVION CORP. (EWDVBA6GPR39)

• AVI-SPL (GZS7HPH81GM3)

• ATP GOV. LLC (WH8LLL6HAX95)

11. A STATEMENT OF THE ACTIONS, IF ANY, THE ACTIVITY MAY

TAKE TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION

The requiring activity (USAFA DF/DFT) will continue to monitor the commercial audio-visual marketplace for new, TAA-compliant interactive short-throw projection systems. If TAA-compliant alternatives emerge that feature equivalent high-altitude operability, low acoustic decibel ratings, and integrated PC-free whiteboarding systems, USAFA will re-evaluate its technical baseline to support full and open competition in future classroom upgrade cycles.

COORDINATION AND APPROVAL

1. TECHNICAL AND REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION

I certify that the facts and representation supporting this justification, which are under my functional responsibility, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.

Matthew Ross, Colonel Date

Director of Operations Requiring Activity, USAFA/AWS

2. FLIGHT CHIEF COORDINATION

I have reviewed this brand name justification and find it to be administrative-compliant and ready for final contracting officer execution.

Alex Kephart Date

Deputy Flight Chief

USAFA 10 CONS/PKB

3. CONTRACTING OFFICER APPROVAL

In accordance with the authority delegated by DAF Contract Policy Memo 26-C-11, Attachment 1, Matrix Item #21, and based on the findings documented above, I hereby approve this Brand Name Justification, authorizing the procurement of these brand-name products via an open-market solicitation on SAM.gov.

Danielle Hyde Date

Contracting Officer

USAFA 10 CONS/PKB

Date4_af_date: 08-Sep-26