Brand Name Justification for JCI Devices - 2 pages.pdf

Brand Name Justification for SAP under the SAT

Revision: 01 Effective Date: 11/15/2024 Page 1 of 2 Acquisition ID#: 36C263-26-AP-0436

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification for Brand Name Awards IAW FAR (RFO) 13.101(b) For

Over Micro-Purchase Threshold but Not Exceeding the SAT ($350K)

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C263-26-AP-0436

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VHA VISN 23, NCO 23

Contracting, Construction Team 2, VA Black Hills Health Care System (VABHHCS)

– Fort Meade Campus. PR-IFCAP 2237#: 568-26-2-9878-0006.

2. Brief Description of Supplies/ Services required and the intended use/Estimated Amount: A new construction project that has a need for brand-named specific items – Johnson Controls, Inc. (JCI), Simplex brand fire alarm system equipment and devices for the VA Black Hills Health Care System (VABHHCS) – Fort Meade Campus. The purpose of this project is to upgrade a campus-wide, twenty-six (26) building fire alarm system. The existing system’s basis of design is JCI, Simplex Fire brand. The upgrade will include, but is not limited to, the replacement of the campus-wide fiber backbone and the installation of new and replacement equipment and devices on the system. All new and replacement equipment and devices must be compatible with the latest version of JCI, Simplex Fire brand fire alarm system available. Required fire alarm system programming and testing must be performed by factory-trained and certified JCI, Simplex brand technicians. This Brand Name Justification is for the partial requirement of the estimated JCI-proprietary portion of the required equipment & devices. Estimated costs are based on the AE’s design, Cost Estimator’s cost estimates, and the COR’s IGCE.

Estimated Amounts:

1. Total Project IGCE:

2. Total Estimated JCI-required fire alarm Equipment & Devices: :

Quantity Item Avg Unit Cost Extended Cost

3 Workstations

21 Alarm Panels

70 Smoke Detectors

10 Heat Detectors

105 Pull Stations

110 Relay Modules

290 Horn/Light Strobes

Grand Total

Brand Name Justification for SAP under the SAT

Revision: 01 Effective Date: 11/15/2024 Page 2 of 2 Acquisition ID#: 36C263-26-AP-0436

According to the VHAPG templates and based upon the estimated dollar amount of these JCI equipment items and devices, and the newly adjusted Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) of $350K, this Justification can be executed and approved at the CO-level.

3. Unique characteristics that limit availability to the Brand Name, with the reason no other supplies or services can be used: The existing fire alarm system utilizes the JCI Simplex Fire Alarm brand and is the only system that can meet the requirements of the VABHHCS. The intent is to install the same brand and type of fire protection throughout the medical center to provide a system that is compatible with the existing system. The Simplex brand system is used at VABHHCS for all fire alarm functions, including monitoring and controls and is essential to meet the Government’s requirement. JCI utilizes proprietary technology, so other systems are unable to connect to it. Using two or more incompatible vendors for this upgrade would impact the facilities ability to maintain fire safety standards and could pose a significant patient and employee safety risk. Given the above reasoning, JCI Simplex Fire Alarm brand is deemed as the only one responsible source with no other supplies or services satisfying agency requirements.

4. Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted: It is well known in the VHA contracting spere that JCI fire alarm systems are proprietary in nature and that other systems do not interpolate with them to a fully compatible degree. Basic internet market research, along with the COR’s attained knowledge of these systems in our discussions, his IGCE, the Construction Procurements Checklist and the COR’s draft market research and brand name source documentation all support this conclusion.

5. Contracting Officer's Certification: Purchase is approved in accordance with FAR

(RFO) 13.101(b). I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

CALVIN L. COURTNEY Date Contracting Officer Network Contracting Office 23 (NCO 23)