BNJ - ARD Bayview Winch Rental FY26_Redacted.pdf

NSWCCD SAP Non-Competitive Procurement Justification Memo Effective April 2025

MEMORANDUM FOR FILE

FROM:

CODE: 7281

TO: Code 02

DATE: 19 MARCH 2026

SUBJECT: Non-Competitive Procurement Justification Memo for Actions Under SAT

I. BACKGROUND

1. FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) states for purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, Contracting Officers may solicit from one source if the Contracting Officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available.

2. FAR 8.405-6 allows for limiting sources for orders or BPAs under Federal Supply Schedules under certain circumstances or for items peculiar to one manufacturer

3. As required by FAR 13.106-3(b)(3)(i), FAR 8.405-6(a)(1), or FAR 8.405-6(b)(2), this memorandum explains the absence of competition for this acquisition, as only one source will be solicited for this requirement (or for a portion of the requirement) and the requirement is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

II. DESCRIPTION OF ITEM OR SERVICE

The Naval Surface Warfare Center Acoustic Research Detachment (NSWCCD ARD) has an emergent requirement for the rental of a Skagit RB-97 2-drum heavy capacity winch for the period of 5/13/26 to 8/19/26 and a wire rope assembly purchase. This rental is critical for the maintenance of heavy wire rope mooring systems. The estimated value of the rental period is

Manufacturer: SKAGIT Dealer/Rep: Rasmussen Address: 415 South Cloverdale St., Seattle, WA 98108 Phone: (206) 762-3700 POC: Ely Pervier

III. BASIS FOR DETERMINATION FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL & OPEN COMPETITION

A. BRAND NAME. The item required must be a brand name product, or feature of a product, particular to one manufacturer.

Consideration of a product manufactured by a company other than Skagit is precluded because the Government’s requirement is inextricably linked to the specific, unique operational characteristics of the Skagit RB-97 2-drum winch. This is not a matter of preference but of procedural necessity, safety, and fiscal responsibility. A "brand name or equal" description is not being used because any potential "equal" would fail to meet the Government's essential requirements without introducing unacceptable risk and cost.

1. Restrictive Rights. The source has established proprietary rights, limited rights in data, patent rights, copyrights, or secret processes in the item or service required.

2. Exclusive Licensing Agreements. The item or service is only available from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

3. Federal Supply Schedule (FSS): IAW FAR 8.405-6(b).

4. Other Reasons. Based on engineering analysis and previously completed historical maintenance activities, the Skagit RB-97 2-drum winch is the only technically acceptable equipment solution. Its unique configuration and capacity are essential for the established and validated maintenance procedure. There is no known alternative without a massive, high-risk engineering investment into a new procedure with unknown viability. Requiring this specific brand is necessary to mitigate safety risks, maintain schedule integrity, and avoid the unnecessary cost of re-engineering a proven process.

Essential Nature of the Skagit RB-97's Features:

The Skagit RB-97 is essential to the Government's requirements due to its role as the foundational component of a long-established, validated, and approved maintenance procedure. The entire evolution for replacing heavy wire rope mooring systems, including all engineering calculations, safety protocols, personnel training, and support equipment is designed around the RB-97's specific performance envelope. Key features that are essential and non-negotiable include:

Dual-Drum Configuration: The procedure requires the precise, simultaneous, and independent control of two heavy-load wire ropes. The RB-97's integrated 2-drum system is fundamental to this process.

Line Pull Capacity and Speed: The winch's specific line pull capacity is matched to the known loads of the mooring systems. Any deviation would require a complete re-validation of the engineering and safety factors.

Proven System Integration: The Skagit RB-97 is a known entity. Its performance, reliability, and failure modes are well-understood from decades of historical use in this exact application, allowing for robust and effective risk mitigation.

Using a "brand name or equal" description is not viable because the "salient characteristics" that would define an "equal" product are not merely physical specifications; they are the assurance of procedural compatibility and validated safety. Any other winch, even one with a similar rated capacity, would not be a direct "plug-and-play" substitute. It would have a different footprint, control interface, power requirement, and drum configuration. This would invalidate the existing procedure and force a complete, top-to-bottom re-engineering and re-validation effort. The cost to re-develop, test, and certify a new procedure around a different winch would be immense, far exceeding any potential savings from a slightly cheaper rental. The schedule impact would be catastrophic, delaying the project by months or even years and guaranteeing the mission failure of the 5/13/26 start date. Most critically, it would introduce unknown safety risks into a high-consequence evolution.

Market research confirms that while other heavy-capacity winches exist, they do not meet, and cannot be modified to meet, the agency's needs within the required timeline and risk profile. Other manufacturers' winches were identified, but they possess different drum configurations, control systems, and physical footprints.

Integrating them would trigger the unacceptable procedural re-engineering described above. Modifying another product to mimic the Skagit RB-97 is not a feasible option. Such an undertaking would constitute a major custom engineering project, requiring significant time for design, fabrication, and testing. This process would take far longer than the time available and would result in a one-off, unproven piece of equipment, which is an unacceptable risk for this application.

In summary, the Government's requirement is not just for a winch; it is for the specific tool around which the entire critical, high-risk maintenance procedure is built. Only the Skagit RB-97 meets this requirement, and therefore, consideration of any other product is precluded.

B. SOLE SOURCE. (select all that apply)

1. Restrictive Rights. The source has established proprietary rights, limited rights in data, patent rights, copyrights, or secret processes in the item or service required.

2. Exclusive Licensing Agreements. The item or service is only available from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), or there is only one authorized distributor or technical representative for the OEM.

3. Other Reasons.

4. Federal Supply Schedules (FSS): IAW FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)

a. An urgent and compelling need exists, and following the procedures would result in unacceptable delays;

b. Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized; or

c. In the interest of economy and efficiency, the new work is a logical follow-on to an original Federal Supply Schedule order provided that the original order was placed in accordance with the applicable Federal Supply Schedule ordering procedures. The original order or BPA must not have been previously issued under sole-source or limited-sources procedures.

IV. CERTIFICATIONS & APPROVALS

A. Technical/Requirements Certification: I certify that the facts and representation under my cognizance, which are included in this justification, are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.