B.08.02 Att 5- Brand Name J&A- Dupont Nomex 410.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(BRAND NAME ITEM UNDER THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD)

1. CONTRACTING AGENCY: US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Little Rock District (CESWL-CT) 700 W. Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72203.

2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION: The proposed action is for utilization of brand name electrical insulating material, Dupont Nomex 410, in support of the execution of a new Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) construction requirement for the Rewind of Units 1 and 2 Generator at Beaver Powerplant. This justification does not apply to the entire Rewind of Units 1 and 2 Generator at Beaver Powerplant requirement that will be solicited under W9127S21R0006. It only applies to the specified electrical insulating materials utilized in completion of that requirement.

A sheet of Dupont Nomex 410 is approximately $60 and up to 2,000 sheets may be required if all rotor field poles are refurbished. The total estimated value of this brand name material is $120,000.00. Southwestern Power Administration (SWPA) funding will be utilized for this project.

3. DESCRIPTION OF ITEMS: Dupont Nomex 410 is an electrical insulating sheet product. It is proposed to be utilized within the insulation of the rotor field poles of each of the generators in the contract. The rotor field poles of the generator are located on the outside of the rotor spider, which rotates within the stator core. It is important that the poles are electrically insulated to prevent the loss of current, which aids in the rotation of the rotor. At the time of original construction, insulation materials typically contained asbestos. Although asbestos is a great insulator, there are extreme health concerns associated with it when disrupted. If the testing of the rotor field windings support refurbishment, then the asbestos insulation must be removed and replaced with a material that does not contain asbestos, yet has the necessary electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties for the application. If testing does not support refurbishment of the poles, re-insulation is not necessary and there will be no disruption of the asbestos containing material.

4. AUTHORITY CITED: FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i). The agency’s need is for a brand-name item.

5. REASON FOR AUTHORITY CITED: The insulation material used within the original rotor field pole construction contains asbestos. After testing, the existing rotor poles may be refurbished which would include re-insulation. If the existing asbestos insulation is removed, it shall be replaced with insulation that does not contain asbestos. The only insulation that can fulfill the Government’s requirement is Dupont Nomex 410, a meta aramid-sheet product. There is no equivalent material with the same properties, which include high inherent dielectric strength, mechanical toughness, thermal stability, flexibility and resilience. Nomex is the industry standard used by all large electrical equipment service shops and hydro-generator manufacturers by which all other insulating materials are compared. Other variants that are similar to Dupont Nomex 410 do not contain the same molecular structure and are unproven in this high-demand capacity to withstand the steady state and transient electrical stresses, thermal burden, and mechanical stresses of high-velocity rotation and vibration experienced at the installed location.

6. EFFORTS TO OBTAIN AND INCREASE COMPETITION: As this is a brand name justification, no one contractor’s unique qualifications are used as the basis for this justification. Market research confirms that there are multiple suppliers that can provide Dupont Nomex 410.

Therefore, all eligible suppliers will be afforded the opportunity to compete for this requirement. The requirement for the Dupont Nomex 410 insulation will be included within the contract specifications for the Rewind of Units 1 and 2 Generator at Beaver Powerplant. In accordance with FAR 5.101 and 5.102, competition will be obtained by posting a solicitation for the Rewind of Units 1 and 2 Generator at Beaver Powerplant on beta.SAM. Offerors will be provided no less than 30 days to submit proposals. A copy of this approved justification will be posted along with the solicitation.

7. FAIR AND REASONABLE COST DETERMINATION: A determination of price fairness and reasonableness will be made based on competition, an Independent Government Estimate, and if required, internet catalog pricing.

8. MARKET RESEARCH: A quick Internet search for Dupont Nomex 410 indicates that this brand name material is available for purchase from a large variety of vendors in the commercial marketplace.

9. APPROVAL: Based on the foregoing, it is determined to be in the best interest of the Government to include this brand name requirement within Solicitation W9127S21R0006 for the Rewind of Units 1 and 2 Generator at Beaver Powerplant.

10. TECHNICAL CERTIFICATION:

“I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in this justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.”

NAME AND TITLE: Jeff Strunk, Technical Lead

SIGNATURE: _____________________________________

11. CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION

“I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.”

NAME AND TITLE: Carole M. Householder, Contracting Officer

SIGNATURE: _____________________________________