Attachment 3 - Brand Name Justification.pdf

Single Source Justification-Commercial Products and Commercial Services Section A: General Information

Is this a Bridge Action as defined in the AF Bridge Action Reduction Plan? Yes No

Contracting Activity: 2 CONS 801 Kenney Ave, Suite 2301 Barksdale AFB, LA 71112

Project/Program Name: AFGSC/HQ Boilers Bldg. 5546

Purchase Request/Local ID Number

Estimated Contract Cost(Including Options:

Section B: Description of the Supplies/Services Required

This requirement is for the purchase of two (2) Brand Name AERCO BMK 2000 Boilers with AERtrim. The Boilers must be capable of advanced, computer-controlled combustion management to ensure stable, reliable, and energy-efficient operation under varying site conditions. The boilers must incorporate a durable 439 stainless steel fire-tube heat exchanger and utilize a system that automatically maintains precise air-to-fuel ratios despite fluctuations in temperature, humidity, gas pressure, or delivered fuel energy content. The boilers must include real-time oxygen monitoring with on-board display capability, allowing operators to verify emissions levels and fuel economy without external combustion calibration equipment.

The boilers must feature an integrated control platform that simplifies startup, configuration, diagnostics, and maintenance, and must support remote monitoring, predictive maintenance analytics, and full system visibility to ensure maximum uptime. The system shall self-adjust to environmental and load changes to maintain optimal combustion, efficiency, and stability. Additionally, the boilers must provide design flexibility, low emissions, and the ability to operate at high turndown ratios to match fluctuating heating demands while minimizing operating costs.

AERCO Benchmark boilers equipped with AERtrim, the Edge Controller, Dual Return capability, and onAER predictive maintenance meet these requirements by delivering precise combustion control, automated O2 trim, enhanced efficiency, simplified serviceability, and proven long-term reliability.

Section C: Justification for Soliciting from a Single Source or Brand Name

The 2d Civil Engineering Squadron (2 CES) has standardized the use of AERCO boilers at Barksdale Air Force Base (BAFB) in alignment with the Environmental Requirements for Contractors Working on Barksdale Air Force Base. As part of ongoing modernization efforts to replace aging boiler systems, the AERCO Benchmark/Platinum series has been selected as the required equipment due to its unique, patented AERtrim technology. This auto air-trim system ensures precise air-to-fuel ratios, even amidst fluctuations in temperature, humidity, and gas pressure; conditions common in Louisiana’s humid subtropical climate. This technology is exclusive to AERCO and plays a key role in preventing mold and mildew growth within BAFB facilities, while also reducing maintenance needs.

By standardizing on AERCO boilers, training requirements have been reduced, the need for a wide range of parts and tools has been minimized, and in-house technicians have been able to build specialized expertise on a single platform. Since AERtrim is unique to

AERCO and has already been deployed across the installation, procuring boilers from any other brand would lead to unnecessary duplication of costs and conflict with the base’s standardized system architecture. Therefore, a brand-name justification is necessary to ensure compatibility with existing infrastructure and continued compliance with the boiler standards set by 2 CES.

Section D: Efforts to Obtain Competition

AERCO is the exclusive manufacturer of the BMK 2000 Boiler with AERtrim technology. While AERCO is a large business, it collaborates with multiple authorized regional vendors that qualify as small business entities to support procurement. The manufacturer has identified eight (8) regional providers across the continental United States that are capable of supplying the required equipment, ensuring a reasonable expectation of small-business competition for this requirement.

Section E: Steps to Preclude Future Single Source or Brand Name Awards

For future requirements involving similar boiler systems, 2 CONS will ensure that all referenced technical and vendor information is kept up to date and accurate. Should the 2 CES Environmental Requirements for Contractors Working on Barksdale Air Force Base be updated to include additional qualified vendors, those sources will be considered for future competitive solicitations. Ongoing market research will be conducted to evaluate whether AERCO’s patented technologies, such as AERtrim, continue to be unique or if comparable or licensed technologies become available from other manufacturers.