Brand Name Only Letter_Redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

HEADQUARTERS AIR FORCE SUSTAINMENT CENTER (AFMC)

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE OKLAHOMA

TO: AFSC/PZIMB

FROM: OC-ALC/OBCA for 76 MXSG

SUBJECT: Brand Name Justification for M23-017 Variable Frequency Drives

1. 76 MXSG requests the purchase of Four (4) each Yaskawa P1000 Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), Part Number: CIMR-P1C2B040PD. MXSG is replacing/relocating the existing VFDs (variable frequency drives) for the make-up air handling units for two strip booths in B9001 due to drive failures caused by the temperature swings in the current location. Keeping the same drive model and manufacturer will allow us to easily move the existing program from the old drives to the new drives. This is essential as we do not have access to the original PLC programming that was performed by an outside vendor when the strip booths were installed. Staying with the same brand will also allow us to have spare drives on hand reducing downtime resulting in increased production for our customer.

2. The required Yaskawa P1000 Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), Part Number: CIMR- P1C2B040PD are proprietary to the OEM. Yaskawa uses many authorized distributors for their VFD brand in government sales.

To use a different brand of VFDs, the government would need to also change the brand of the VFDs that are already owned and in use by the government, as well as the air handling unit (AHU) brand in order for the items to integrate seamlessly the necessary PLC programming. A change to the brand of the current VFDs would require the government to purchase four (4) each new AHUs and four (4) each VFDs on top of the current four (4) VFD’s being purchased at a duplication of cost to the government for the purchases, the removal of the current equipment, and the reinstallation. There would also be an unacceptable burden of time for the necessary market research, contracting times, lead times for equipment manufacturing, and lead times for installation.

3. Therefore, it is requested that Yaskawa P1000 Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), Part Number:

CIMR-P1C2B040PD brand name equipment is procured to meet all the requirements of the program office and subsequently the warfighter.

4. Market research was performed reviewing Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) and System for Award Management (SAM) databases using North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 335314 and PSC code 5945, looking for companies that could provide the item(s) listed above. A review of small businesses to include 8(a), HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business, and Women Owned Small Business was conducted. A Request For Information (RFI) was submitted to 1,070 GSA vendors for the items listed above. There were zero (0) capable responses to the GSA RFI. An RFI was sent to at least 26 SBA vendors in search of capable vendors.

There were two (2) capable responses received by email. In review, there are at least four (4) capable small business vendors for this requirement.