Brand Name Justification.docx

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

1. Agency/Contracting Activity: Engineer Research and Development Center – Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC-CERL)

2. Description of Action:

Nature: New Requirement Follow-On Requirement Mod to Existing Purchase Order/Contract Number

Pricing: Firm-Fixed Price Time and Materials

Funds: OMA Other Funds: Army RDT&E

3. Description of Supplies/Services:

a. The total estimated dollar value of the proposed action is

b. Qty (1) – TA Instruments FOX 50 Heat Flow Conductivity Apparatus

4. Authority: FAR 13.106-1(b) (1): For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), 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.)

5. Reason for Authority Cited: The TA Instruments FOX 50 Heat Flow Meter is the only item that will satisfy the Government’s need which consists of the following specifications:

Specimen Size:

· 50 mm (2”) diameter standard

· 61 mm (2.4”) diameter maximum

· 0 to 25 mm (0 to 1”) thick Available Temperature Ranges

· -10°C to 110°C

· 0°C to 190°C Temperature Control Accuracy: ±0.01 °C Absolute Thermal Conductivity Accuracy: ±3% Reproducibility: ±2% Conductivity Range: 0.1 to 10 W/mK (0.7 to 70 BTU in/hr ft2 °F)

No other product has been identified that has a smaller sample size for the material with higher conductivity. As such, the brand name item identified is the only product that will satisfy the Government’s need with regard to form, fit, and function.

6. Actions to Increase Competition: Market research has found that there is a reasonable expectation of getting quotes from at least 2 small business vendors that offer this brand of equipment. A competitive solicitation will be posted on the Beta.SAM website to encourage competition from all small business vendors offering TA Instruments FOX50 equipment.

ERDC Control No. FY21 - 2079

7. Market Research: Market research was conducted by Brandy Diggs-McGee and Jed Alvey for the FOX 50 in February 2020 to locate a thermal conductivity tester that would test for higher conductivity with smaller sample sizes for thermal performance exploration. The unit purchased will need to cover a wide range of temperatures on medium conductivity materials such as plastics, ceramics, glass, composites, and concrete. The FOX 50 (TA Instrument) was the only brand found that had both criteria and is small enough to be relocated throughout whenever needed.

8. Procurement History:

If action was not competed, state the cited authority, summarize rationale:

9. Additional information to support the justification: Not applicable

10. Technical/Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which is included in the abbreviated J&A is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Submitted By: Mariangelica Carrasquillo-Mangual Position Title: Acting Chief, Energy Branch Email Address: mariangelica.carrasquillo@usace.army.mil

Signature: CARRASQUILLO-

MANGUAL.MARIANGELICA.1290501080

Date: 06 OCT 2020

Digitally signed by CARRASQUILLO- MANGUAL.MARIANGELICA.1290501080 Date: 2020.10.06 06:12:14 -05'00'

11. Fair and Reasonable Price Determination: As Contracting Officer, I hereby determine that the anticipated price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable. Basis for the determination: price analysis techniques.

12. Contracting Officer’s Approval:

I hereby certify that this Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Based on the foregoing, I approve this Brand Name Justification subject to the availability of funds, and provided that the services and/or supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition

Andrea Thomas Digitally signed by Andrea Thomas

Signature:

Date: 2020.10.06 11:43:42 -05'00'

Typed Name: Title:

Date:

Andrea Thomas Contracting Officer 10/6/20 image1.png image2.png image3.png