EPI justification_and_approval_document2.pdf

Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition

For Official Use Only

For Official Use OnlyUpdated: 15 Mar 16

NOTE: If a Justification and Approval was approved for the preceding acquisition, a copy of the approved J&A for the predecessor action must be included in the staff package for approval of the instant J&A. This applies to J&A staff packages that are submitted for review and approval at a level above the contracting officer. The predecessor J&A will be used as a reference document by the approving official.

Choose the funding level for this J&A Document:

Contracting Activity: AFSC/PZIMC

Purchase Request / Local ID Number: P18-001

Program / Project (and PE, if applicable): Plating Chemicals BPA

Program Type (PEO or Other Contracting): Other

Authority (include full title): FAR 6.302-1 as implemented in FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii)

Estimated Contract Cost (including options): J&A Type: Class Individual

COORDINATION (AFFARS 5306.304(a) )

Date

26 Feb 2018

Contracting Officer

AFSC/PZIMC/405-739-5819

Signature

Date

27 Feb 2018

Project Lead / Program Mgr / Requiring Activity

OC-ALC/OBCA/405-854-1062

APPROVAL (AFFARS 5306.304(a) )

Date

27 Feb 2018

Contracting Officer

AFSC/PZIMC/405-739-5819

For Official Use Only

For Official Use OnlyUpdated: 15 Mar 16

I. Contracting Activity.

AFSC/PZIMC

Bldg 3001 Tinker AFB, OK 73145

II. Nature and/or description of the action being processed.

Plating Chemicals for use in electroplating processes for 76 Propulsion Maintenance Group (PMXG) are requested. Certain chemicals are sold through a tightly controlled distributor network. These chemicals are listed below and acquisition require the support of a sole source justification.

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs.

76TH PMXG's plating process requires a constant supply of chemicals to keep electrostatic plating processes in operation. These tanks use a specific balance of acidic levels and must maintain a level of concentration in accordance with the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) recommendations. Electrochemical Products, Inc.

(EPI) is the manufacturer of five chemicals in use in the plating shops that are vital to the production maintenance process.

1 E-Brite 30/30 2 E-Brite 30/31 3 E-Brite 50/50 4 E-Brite 50/51 5 Kool Blak 225

IV. Statutory authority permitting Other than Full and Open Competition.

FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements, as implemented at FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii).

V. Demonstration that the contractor's unique qualifications or nature of the acquisition requires the use of the authority cited above (applicability of authority).

The silver plating process used in the 76 PMXG plating shop requires compliance with AMS 2410 and AMS 2412 specifications. Some of the 76 PMXG plating shop's tanks are currently made up with EPI solutions. Additions must be made using the same proprietary chemistry. In Process Order (PO) 85-005, 76 PMXG process engineering specified the use of EPI chemicals exclusively for the plating shop to use for certain applications. The plating shop is a cyanide-free work area. EPI is one of few manufacturers producing non-cyanide plating chemicals available commercially. It is the only chemistry tested to meet the requirements of AMS 2412 and AMS 2418.

VI. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable.

Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA) were set up with several small businesses to purchase plating chemicals using fair opportunity procedures. EPI has mandated that its chemicals only be sold through a tightly controlled distribution network.

Only one vendor, Electroplating Consultants Int'l (small business CAGE 0GKE9), is authorized by EPI to sell its products in Tinker AFB's region. All purchases over $25,000.00 continue to be synopsized and PMXG engineers are receptive to companies who want to offer equivalent products for testing and consideration. Market Research has revealed no product currently manufactured that matches EPI's compounds.

For Official Use Only

For Official Use OnlyUpdated: 15 Mar 16

VII. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

Price fair and reasonableness will be verified using historical data and comparison with Independent Government Estimate

(IGE).

VIII. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

Previous acquisitions of EPI products have been synopsized in sufficient detail and other third party resellers have been successful in quoting EPI products; however, the increased visibilty achieved by recent synopses has alerted EPI to Tinker's acquisition paths, resulting in a tightening of distribution networks that has led to the single source available today. MArket research will be ongoing fro these products and other sources have inquired about the procedures for obtaining qualification as suppliers of equivalent chemicals. Discussions are ongoing.

IX. Any other facts supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition.

None

X. List of sources, if any, that expressed interest in the acquisition.

Electroplating Consultants Inc, Tulsa, OK. CAGE 0GKE9 (authorized EPI regional distributor).

XI. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required.

Until such time that the need for EPI products can be overcome through equivalent product testing, there is no way to avoid future single source awards for EPI products.

XII. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidenced by my signature above, I have determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

XIII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel.

As evidenced by my signature above, I certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my responsibility, is both accurate and complete.