Brand Name Determination_Redacted.pdf

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Control Number 24-038

BRAND NAME DETERMINATION

Far Subpart 13.106-1(b)

1.0 CONTRACTING AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Walla Walla District, (CECT-NWW) 201 North 3rd Ave, Walla Walla, WA 99362.

2.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Dworshak Dam, 1428 Northfork Drive, Ahsahka, ID 83520 has a requirement for brand name Magnetek XLTX Complete Radio Bridge Crane Remote System for Dworshak Dam’s powerhouse bridge crane.

3.0 DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES: Approval is requested for a new firm-fixed price, brand name purchase order for the delivery of Magnetek XLTX Complete Radio Bridge Crane Remote System to maintain the crane controls and has complete control of the auxiliary hoist.

Item Qty Description Part # 1 2 EA XLTX Model Transmitters Custom 2 1 EA Spare Transmitter Custom 3 2 EA XLTX Battery Chargers with 120 VAC

Power Adapter E10761-0

4 6 EA Rechargeable 3.6V NiMH Battery Packs BT128-0

4.0 AUTHORITY CITED:

a. FAR 13.106-1 (b), soliciting from a single source. (1) 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 (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization).

b. FAR 11.105-(a)(1): the particular brand name, product, or feature is essential to the Governments’ requirements, and market research indicates other companies’ similar products, or products lacking the particular feature, do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the agency’s need.

5.0 REASON FOR AUTHORITY CITED:

a. BACKGROUND: Dworshak Dam currently has two (2) 100 Megawatt and one (1) 250 Megawatt Generators in the Powerhouse. There are two bridge cranes that can work in tandem or independently and are used to maintain the generators and other ancillary equipment. The Dworshak Powerhouse Bridge Crane is used for overhauling major equipment and can be considered a

- 2 -critical asset to the function of Dworshak dam. The current/older Magnetek controlled system has a safety issue. When nearby personnel radios transmit, the powerhouse bridge crane’s auxiliary hoist moves. This is a mis-operation of the crane controls and could cause an accident.

b. JUSTIFICATION: Based on market research, and due to the requirement of communicating with existing installed equipment, the Magnetek XLTX Complete Radio Bridge Crane Remote System is not interchangeable with other brand products and is essential to the Government’s requirements.

Market research indicates other companies’ similar products, or products lacking the features, do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the agency’s needs. It is not possible to add other brands to this bridge crane remote control system and have it work with the other currently installed communications equipment, the equipment must be OEM equipment. It is not advantageous to the Government to source with other brand products.

c. IMPACT: If this system is not used to replace the current unsafe system, the bridge crane will continue to operate unsafely and could cause a serious accident.

It would take several months to get funding, research new equipment, get the equipment approved, then have it built and installed at our location.

The cost of this new, like-kind bridge crane control system is far less than the financial loss to the powerhouse.

d. ALTERNATIVES: The Government is unable to purchase brands that are equal to the requested brand due to the incompatibility issues with Magnetek’s Complete Radio Bridge Crane Remote System. It is most advantageous to use the existing type of bridge crane remote control system in this application.

6.0 DETERMINATION OF FAIR AND REASONABLE COSTS: The market for the bridge crane remote control system is mature. Magnetek is the sole supplier of the parts required for the bridge crane remote control system for Dworshak Dam’s bridge crane. There are no competitive parts available as the parts are proprietary to Magnetek.

7.0 EFFORTS TO OBTAIN COMPETITION: It is anticipated that there are multiple distributors of Magnetek’s Complete Radio Bridge Crane Remote System who may be able to meet the Technical Specifications.

8.0 MARKET RESEARCH: Market research was conducted in accordance with FAR Part 10 and indicates other companies offer similar remote crane controls systems, but they do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the agency’s needs. Only the Magnetek