D01_FA_-_140D0426F1265_-_Brand_Name_Justification_for_an_Exception_to_Fair_Opportunity_1.pdf

This is a Brand-Name Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity document issued by the Department of Interior's Interior Business Center.

The Department of Interior's Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), Office of Information Security (OIS), requires a hardware refresh of four American Power Conversion (APC) in-row cooling units that will reach end-of-life in December 2026. Due to industry transition from R-410A to R-32 refrigerant and facility space and operational constraints, APC does not offer a direct replacement fitting within the existing footprint. Following a site survey and technical evaluation, Vertiv Liebert CoolPhase in-row cooling units were identified as meeting OCIO's footprint, cooling, electrical, and operational requirements. The required hardware includes four CoolPhase Row 30KW 208/230/3/60 UL reheat and humidifier units, four CoolPhase Condenser 28KW 460/3/60 UL low-ambient single-power supply units, warranty inspection services, extended warranty coverage, startup services, and freight and handling charges. The total estimated cost is $576,377.28, to be purchased during the base period.

The justification invokes FAR 16.505(a)(4)(i) authority, limiting the source to authorized resellers of Vertiv Liebert CoolPhase in-row cooling units available through the NASA Solution for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP) V Group C contract. AQD identified 72 authorized resellers on the NASA SEWP V Group C provider list, maintaining competition among authorized vendors. The contracting officer certified that the anticipated cost is fair and reasonable, with the requirement exempt from cost analysis per FAR 15.403-1(b)(3) as a commercial services acquisition. The justification was prepared under PR/SOL/CONTRACT No. 140D0426Q0372.