Brand Name Memo - WA NP OLYM 12(8).pdf

Date: June 23, 2026

From: John Davis

Project Manager

To: Marino Chea

Contracting Officer

Subject: Brand Name Justification & Approval for Natina Steel

Project No.: WA NP OLYM 12(8)

Project Name: Hurricane Ridge Rockfall Mitigation MP 9.4

Justification for other than full and open competition - This justification is in accordance with FAR

6.302-1, and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. This justification covers only the portion of the acquisition which is brand-name, identified below.

Agency - Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

Contracting Activity - Western Federal Lands Highway Division (WFLHD), Vancouver, WA

Nature and/or Description of Action - FHWA-WFLHD will be soliciting for improvements to the

Hurricane Ridge Rockfall Mitigation MP 9.4 in Clallam County, Washington. Work includes the following quantity of flexible rockfall barrier fence to be installed and treating the following quantity of galvanized steel in Olympic National Park. The documents included with the solicitation call for specific brand name products that are unique to two manufacturers. This brand-name justification covers a brand name product for Natina Steel to treat the galvanized steel surfaces being installed on this project, and a brand name product for the RXE-8000 Flexible Rockfall Barrier System

Description of supplies or services required to meet agency needs - This project requires installation of the following brand name products, and the estimated value of all the brand name products being used on this project is $424,900.00.

Products (Manufacturer by)

Manufacturer Quantity Unit price Total

Weathering Agent Natina Products, LLC 260 SY $65.00 $16,900.00

Flexible Rockfall Barrier System Geobrugg North America, LLC 102 LNFT $4,000 $408,000.00

Total $424,900.00

Memorandum Western Federal Lands Highway Division

610 E. Fifth Street Vancouver, WA 98661-3801

Authority permitting exception to fair opportunity –

a) FAR Part 11.105: The Brand Name products are essential to the Government’s requirements, and market research indicates other companies’ similar products do not meet and cannot be modified to meet the agency’s needs.

b) FAR 6.302-1: The use of the name brand products are essential to the Government’s requirements, thereby precluding consideration of a product manufactured by another company.

Why we are using this authority - We are demonstrating that the nature of the acquisition requires use of the cited authority. In this case Olympic National Park only allows Natina Steel to treat galvanized steel surfaces that are permanent installations in the Park. In addition, Natina Steel is the only product to ensure the aesthetic requirements of the are met.

In the case of the Flexible Rockfall Barrier System, the layout and dimensions of the RXE-8000 was used to determine the location of multiple design elements. These design elements cannot be adjusted, as they have been tailored to meet the maintenance needs and limitations of Olympic National Park.

A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

All brand name products listed have been chosen for this contract based on the following criteria:

a) The manufacturers’ products have previously been used on past projects with great success.

b) Since the manufacturers’ products have been used on past projects, continued use of these products will ensure continuity of appearances within this part of the country to meet Olympic

National Park’s aesthetic needs.

Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable - This project is being solicited as a Full & Open Project, that will be large enough to draw substantial interest from the contracting community.

Fair and reasonable recommendation - Based on comparison with past bids, I recommend that the

Contracting Officer determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for these items will result in fair and reasonable prices. The cost from the manufacturers for these Brand Name Products is anticipated to be similar to other commercially products, and it is anticipated that bid competition will provide a fair and reasonable price.

Market Research - Market research was limited to products from the manufacturers that have been pre-approved by the National Park Service on past projects. Market research shows that these products have been used in the region before and that there is local availability in Clallum County, Washington.

Other facts supporting the use of other than full & open competition - The brand name products must meet the National Park Service’s expectations of aesthetics and fit their maintenance needs and limitations. After discussions with Olympic National Park, products from the manufacturers have been successfully used, based on their past performances, longevity, low maintenance, and aesthetic fit in the region.

A listing of sources, if any that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition - No sources to our knowledge.

A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required. - None at this time.

C. Signatures

Technical/Requirements Personnel Certification - I certify that the above information and the attached evidence supporting this justification are complete and accurate.

Project Manager Date

Contracting Officer Certification & Determination - In accordance with FAR 6.304, I certify that this justification for an exception to fair opportunity is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer Date

Section 265. — ROADSIDE ROCKFALL PROTECTION

Materials

265.01A Added subsection:

Weathering Agent 725.21

Flexible rockfall barrier system 725.22

Construction Requirements

265.02 Qualifications. Delete the text of this subsection and substitute the following:

Provide an on-site supervisor with experience installing flexible rockfall barrier systems, and drill operators with experience installing ground anchors. At least 30 days before starting rockfall protection work, submit the following for approval:

(a) On-site supervisor. A résumé describing experience on at least five projects installing flexible rockfall barrier fence systems within the past 5 years. Include project names, locations, and contact information for project owners;

(b) Drill operators. A résumé describing experience installing at least 1000 linear feet of ground anchors for flexible rockfall barrier systems within the past 3 years. Include project names, locations, and contact information for project owners; and

(c) Manufacturer of the flexible rockfall barrier systems. Include written evidence demonstrating the manufacturer has at least 5 years’ experience with manufacturing and supplying systems used in a similar application and capacity.

265.03 Submittals. Amend as follows:

Delete the text of Subsection (a) and substitute the following:

(a) Evidence of certification for the flexible rockfall barrier systems according to European Assessment

Document (EAD 340059-00-0106), including performance values for energy level classification, maximum energy level (MEL), service energy level (SEL), classification for residual height for MEL, and maximum elongation at the both the MEL and SEL. Include evidence no more than 1 year old from the manufacturer that the flexible rockfall barrier system supplied has been tested and verified to equal or exceed the flexible rockfall barrier system requirements as shown in the plans;

265.06 Flexible Rockfall Barrier Systems. Amend as follows:

Add the following:

Treat all exposed steel surfaces with weathering agent according to Section 563.

Design the flexible rockfall barrier system to conform to the following spatial requirements:

• Provide a minimum of 15 horizontal and vertical feet of clearance for maintenance equipment to pass beneath tieback wire ropes and operate within the rockfall collection area.

• Do not install fence posts or tieback wire rope anchors within the exclusion zone shown on the plans.

• Do not install anchors for tieback wire ropes in the soil nail wall.

• Install lateral anchors at least 2 feet from the inside edge of the maintenance road.

Delete the text of Subsection (b) and substitute the following:

(b) Design. Complete required design according to the manufacturer’s recommendations for all component parts including, but not limited to, the layout of posts, post anchorage systems, post foundations, braking elements, anchors, and support ropes. Design a system that meet or exceeds the requirements shown in the plans, including system height, energy level classification, and elongation at the SEL and MEL.

Delete the text of Subsection (c) and substitute the following:

(c) Installation. Locate the barrier panel at the offset shown in the plans.

Prepare the alignment of the flexible rockfall barrier system by removing the existing berm, concrete barrier, and clearing exsitng debris that is accumulated in the roadside ditch. Dispose of the material according to Section 204.

Limit vegetation removal to the minimum required to install flexible rockfall barrier system.

Erect the post anchorage systems, anchors, and posts according to the approved drawings, the construction sequence, and the manufacturer’s recommendations. Install posts within the required manufacturer’s tolerances for alignment and orientation.

Install and fasten top and bottom support wire ropes according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Fasten wire ropes only after the tested anchors have been accepted in writing.

Install and connect the rockfall mesh according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Section 725. — MISCELLANEOUS MATERIAL

01 NOV 2024 – FP-24

725.21 Weathering Agent. (Added Subsection).

Use Natina® Steel for coloring galvanized surfaces.

Natina® Steel manufactured by Natina Products, LLC

1577 First Street

Coachella, CA 92236 USA

(877) 762-8462 www.natinaproducts.com

725.22 Flexible Rockfall Barrier System. (Added Subsection).

Use the RXE-8000 for the flexible rockfall barrier system.

RXE-8000

Manufactured by Geobrugg North America, LLC

22 Centro Algodones

Algodones, New Mexico 87001

(505) 771 4080 www.geobrugg.com http://www.natinaproducts.com/