B08 LSJ ISO Toolboxes ATC signed_Redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

HEADQUARTERS 133RD AIRLIFT WING (AMC)

SAINT PAUL MINNESOTA

18 August 2026

MEMORANDUM FOR 133 MSG/MSC

FROM: 133 MSG/MSC

631 Minuteman Drive Saint Paul, MN 55111

SUBJECT: Limited Sources Justification (LSJ) – Brand Name Only Acquisition for Snap-on Automated Tool Control (ATC) Toolboxes under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul

References: (a) Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) Section 6.103-1(d) Brand Name Descriptions

1. Contracting Activity and Requesting Agency

Field Organization / Office

Contracting Activity 133 MSG/MSC, 631 Minuteman Drive, Saint Paul, MN 55111

Requiring Activity 133 MXG, 685 General Miller Drive, Saint Paul, MN 55111

2. Nature and Description of the Action

a. Action Type: New Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) purchase order; brand-name specific (Snap-on Industrial). Competition will be conducted among authorized Snap-on distributors.

b. Contractor Information: Multiple authorized distributors of Snap-on Industrial (Manufacturer: Snap-on Incorporated, 2801 80th Street, Kenosha, WI 53143; UEI:

J6M5G9A6YKC1).

3. Description of Supplies or Services

a. Required Items: Quantity (Qty) 1 each, Snap-on Level 5 (L5) Automated Tool Control (ATC) Mobile Toolboxes (Model: L5ARC540BO series or direct compatible variant) with integrated RFID digital imaging/sensor trays, digital keyless entry, embedded scanning hardware, and network interface capabilities compatible with the existing ATC Portal infrastructure. Estimated required delivery date: 30 November 2026.

b. Estimated Total Value: (inclusive of shipping, integration support, and standard manufacturer hardware warranty).

4. Authority and Justification Rationale

a. Regulatory Citation: Under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO), brand-name restrictions must comply with RFO 6.103-1(d), Brand Name Descriptions.

b. Unique Qualifications:

System Interoperability & Network Architecture: The 133 MXG currently operates an established Snap-on Level 5 Automated Tool Control (ATC) infrastructure, utilizing Snap-on Model L5ARC540BO toolboxes tied into a centralized ATC Portal RFID server. The required toolboxes must integrate directly into this existing proprietary ATC management server.

Software & Database Integration: The Snap-on ATC Portal operates on proprietary firmware and data protocol architecture. Non-Snap-on automated toolboxes cannot interface with the Snap-on ATC Portal without procuring entirely separate, redundant database management software, secondary server infrastructure, and dual administrative workstations.

Tool Accountability & FOD Prevention: Aircraft maintenance operations demand strict compliance with Air Force tool accountability and Foreign Object Damage (FOD) prevention standards. Deploying non-compatible, mixed-software toolboxes would fracture automated auditing, prevent synchronized cross-box tool accountability reporting, and introduce severe operational risk during flightline maintenance tasks.

Training & Maintenance Continuity: Maintenance personnel are fully certified and trained on the Snap-on L5 interface and ATC Portal protocols. Procuring alternative brands would require duplicate technical training, alternate keycard provisioning, and split supply chains for replacement components.

5. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination

a. Price Analysis Methodology: The Contracting Officer will determine the final price to be fair and reasonable through price competition among authorized Snap-on Industrial resellers, comparison against historical procurement pricing for identical L5ARC540BO units, published commercial price lists, and available GSA / Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) pricing.

b. Cost Efficiencies: Standardizing on the Snap-on ATC platform avoids substantial duplication of cost to the Government. Procuring a different brand would necessitate an estimated $40,000+ in duplicate management software licenses, server reconfiguration, separate database administration, and maintenance technician re-training that would not be recovered through full and open competition.

6. Market Research

a. Methods: Market research was conducted between via review of previous awards for automated tool cribs/cabinets, GSA Advantage catalog searches, and technical capability evaluations of commercial automated tool systems (including Stanley Vidmar, CribMaster, and Armstrong).

b. Findings: While other commercial vendors manufacture automated tool storage units, none possess the proprietary protocols required to communicate with the existing Snap-on ATC Portal server and L5ARC540BO units currently in service at 133 MXG.

Therefore, Snap-on is the only brand capable of satisfying the Government’s compatibility and operational requirements without total system replacement. Multiple authorized distributors exist that can provide competitive quotes for Snap-on hardware.