Brand name justification_Redacted.pdf

Brand Name Justification

US Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), Simplified Acquisitions

1. Contracting Activity: US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Rock Island District, Rock Island, IL.

2. Description of Action: This action will result in a firm fixed price purchase order with an award anticipated in FY20. The requirement has an estimated dollar value of is for brand name requirements of Meltric plugs and Prysmian electrical cables. The subsequent order will not include any options.

3. Authority Cited: As cited in FAR 13.106(b)(1)(i), For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, the contracting officer may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available.

4. Reason for Authority Cited: In accordance with the authority cited above, for purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, contracting officer may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available. The subsequent documentation states it is covering only the portion of the acquisition which is brand-name.

Lock and Dam 17, located near New Boston, IL, currently has Meltric brand plugs and receptacles located at the valve and gate motors, which are supplied power via Prysmian brand electrical cables from an electrical stand located on the lock wall. Due to continued high water and flooding events, the lock has been instructed to raise the electrical stand, on the lock wall, as preventative measures to withstand the increase of harsh, corrosive Mississippi River water. As such, the lock must upgrade the electrical capabilities and associated components that are to be connected to this electrical stand to comply with work and safety standards of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Engineering Manual (EM)

385-1-1, NFPA 70e Standards for Electrical Safety in the Work Place.

Since Meltric brand plugs and receptables, along with Prysmian brand cables, are currently in operation at this electrical stand, it is in the best interest of the Government to maintain compatibility and continuity with this current configuration. For any other plug or receptacle to be utilized at the lock, a separate electrical stand would need to be installed and configured to allow for a throw switch, This switch would allow lock operators to connect and disconnect between the two terminals. This approach is not safe for the lock operators who would be required to de-energize the power at that particular stand before unplugging anything. This is extremely dangerous as the lock operators may be in water while doing this function to de-energize power. Additionally, this step may be inadvertenly missed during emergent situations at the lock.

The MELTRIC switch-rated plugs and receptacles combine the function of a switch with the convenience of a plug that provides no arc flash and are de-energized instantly upon removal with a direct pull. The plugs achieve environmental protection ratings in wet corrosive environments as soon as they are latched to the receptacle. Since the receptacle is an industry approved line of sight disconnect, the plug allows for increased protection for the lock and dam operators as there is no requirement for expensive interlocks or auxiliary safety switches, as these are housed within the plug and receptacle.

The plugs provide arc flash protection and any qualified technician can safely make and break electrical connections under full load. All of which, can be done in compliance with the above safety standards.

Consequently, the MELTRIC plugs and receptacles can eliminate lengthy downtimes associated with disconnecting the field wiring of hard-wired motors. They feature plug and play simplicity, which can help reduce motor change-out downtime by as much as 50%.

The PRYSMIAN brand electrical cables are submersible in water and are designed for rugged applications, improved strippability and ease of conductor separation when supplying power to a submerged pump. The wiring is formulated with RoHS compliant material and can provide operation in temperatures ranging from -13 degrees up to 167 degrees Fahrenheit. This becomes particularily important as the lock may be in a high water event for several weeks at a time, multiple times throughout the year.

The cables are rated for installation in cable trays for exposed runs conduit, which is typically seen along the inner wall of the lock wall, along with direct burial. The cable exceeds industry standards for stringent crush and impact resistance of UL 2225 for MC-HL cables in accordance with National

Electric Codes. Additionally, the cables are designed to protect against ingress of harmful fluids and chemicals. Thus providing better mechanical and environmental protection than traditional metal clad cables.

5. Actions to Increase Competition: In accordance with (IAW) FAR 13 actions, the public display and synopsis requirement of FAR 5.101 and FAR 5.203 do apply due to the requirement being greater than

$25,000.00.

6. Technical and Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

7. Fair and Reasonable Price Determination: I hereby determine that the anticipated price for the contract action will be fair and reasonable based on other reasonable basis in accordance with FAR

13.106-3(a)(2)(vii).

8. Contracting Officer’s Approval: I hereby certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Base on the foregoing, I approve this sole source justification subject to the availability of funds, and provided that the services or supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition. I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Title: Contracting Officer