REDACTED_Sole_Source_Justification_RAACI.pdf

Source Selection Information – see FAR 2.101 and 3.104

NMAN7200-18-00572 - RAACI

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

FOR AN ACTION EXCEEDING THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

USING SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ITEMS

(AUTHORITY: FAR 13.501(a), 41 U.S.C. 1901)

(NMAN7200-18-00572)

1. Agency and contracting activity. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Acquisition and Grants Office (AGO), Eastern Region Acquisitions Division (ERAD), Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO).

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

The Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) has a requirement for technical support services and parts as needed for the Machinery Control systems on NOAA vessels. The Government intends to award a sole source Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract, with firm fixed price provisions, to Robichaux Automation and Control, Incorporated (RAACI), the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

3. Description of supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the total estimated value).

OMAO requires an IDIQ contract with RAACI, the OEM of Machinery Control systems on the NOAA vessels, which currently include the Pisces, Bell M. Shimada, Rueben Lasker and the Ferdinand Hassler. These Machinery Control systems monitor and control all machinery on the vessels, including diesel generators, propulsion systems, pumps, alarms and tanks. If Machinery Control systems fail the vessel is rendered unable to move on its own power.

RAACI will provide annual system grooms, which shall include the inspection and calibration of all Machinery Control system components, and a Condition Found Report resulting from the system groom. In addition, the IDIQ shall provide pricing for all technical support services and parts on an as needed basis. Technical support services are to include both annual and as needed system grooms, maintenance, and repairs. This work is intended to support all NOAA vessels with RAACI Machinery Control systems. NOAA intends to award an IDIQ contract with five one year ordering periods.

Estimated Value: REDACTED

4. Statutory authority permitting the sole source (including brand name) acquisition.

41 U.S.C. 1901, using SAP up to $7M as authorized by FAR 13.500(a) and implemented by FAR 13.501(a).

□ 41 U.S.C. 1903, using SAP up to $13M for contingency operations as authorized by FAR 13.500(c) and implemented by FAR 13.501(a).

5. Demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited. The contracting officer has determined the following circumstances justify the use of a sole source contract as supported below:

Only one source –

Only RAACI is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the services and supplies are unique and highly specialized. The Machinery Control systems on the NOAA Ships Pisces, Bell M. Shimada, Rueben Lasker and the Ferdinand Hassler run on highly specialized

Source Selection Information – see FAR 2.101 and 3.104

NMAN7200-18-00572 - RAACI

software that is proprietary to RAACI. RAACI designed the system employing hardware specially designed for RAACI. Furthermore, the NOAA Ships Pisces and Bell M. Shimada contain RTU Circuit Boards which are proprietary to RAACI. Other contractors would not be able to troubleshoot or repair these systems because of the proprietary RAACI software systems.

These Machinery Control systems were designed, programmed, and installed by RAACI. These Machinery Controls system are American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) approved systems. These systems were designed, reviewed, inspected, and tested to ensure safe and efficient operation of the Machinery Control systems.

Any modification to a finely tuned system by a source other than the OEM may result in an instability that could lead to systems failure and OMAO mission failure. Failure of the Machinery Control systems due to improper maintenance or repairs, especially when the vessels are at sea, could result in loss of life or limb, or the total loss of the vessel.

6. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies.

In accordance with FAR 5.2, a Notice was posted to FBO.gov requesting responses from interested contractors. No responses were received.

7. Determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The price will be determined to be fair and reasonable in accordance with FAR 13.106-3(a). This will include comparison to an independent Government cost estimate and historical prices for work of similar scope that were previously determined to be fair and reasonable.

8. Description of the market research conducted (see Part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Market research was conducted to see if RAACI has authorized sellers or representatives. RACCI provided a letter certifying that they have no authorized resellers of these highly specialized systems, and that that only RAACI service technicians and mechanics would be capable to service or repair their proprietary OEM systems.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of a sole source (including brand name), such as:

All supporting facts have been documented herein.

10. List of the sources that expressed a written interest in the acquisition.

No other sources have expressed interest in this acquisition after the requirement notification on FBO.gov.

11. 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.

Due to the proprietary nature of these systems, the Government cannot overcome barriers to competition in regards to maintenance and repairs of the current systems. The Government will continue to monitor the marketplace for authorized resellers and authorized repair facilities for these proprietary systems.