B08- Attachment 01- LSJ signed REDACT.pdf

This is a Justification and Approval (J&A) document for limiting competition under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) for a U.S. Army Contracting Command purchase order at Rock Island Arsenal.

The acquisition is for high-carbon cast steel blasting grit manufactured by Ervin Industries, Inc., for use in the closed-loop automated parts washing and surface preparation systems on the MCAAP A-West production line. The blasting media must conform to rigid specifications including SAE J1993 HCS G40H material specification, G40 sizing per SAE J444, minimum 60 HRC hardness (tempered martensite microstructure), angular particle shape with no more than 5 percent round or half-round particles, minimum guaranteed solid density of 7.8 g/cm³, and chemical impurity ceilings of less than 0.05 percent phosphorus and sulfur. The procurement is fixed-price, funded through the Army Working Capital Fund (AWCF) Defense Business Operations Fund (DBOF) for fiscal year 2026, and market research was completed on 10/15/2026. The justification cites RFO FAR 12.102(a) as authority, documenting that Ervin Industries is the only responsible source capable of meeting MCAAP's minimum technical tolerances and operational machinery baseline requirements. The document details specific operational, mechanical, and mission constraints that preclude alternative suppliers, including density requirements for anchor profile creation on munitions cases, tramp element and temper embrittlement prevention, closed-loop techniblast pneumatic recycling compatibility, excessive fines and dust carryover issues with brittle alternatives, and mechanical jamming risks. Market research identified three alternative sources—Techniblast (OEM rejected due to recurring jams), MetalTec Steel Abrasive (ineligible for federal contracting), and commercial distributors (unable to meet density and impurity specifications)—all determined incapable of meeting requirements. The contracting officer approved the justification based on price analysis comparing historical purchase orders and Ervin's published commercial catalog pricing against prevailing industrial market rates.