Attachment 4 - Brand Name Justification.pdf

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATIONCONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

DETERMINATION & FINDINGS

Authority to Solicit from a Single Source (at or below the SAT)

1. Agency and Contracting Activity: 60th Contracting Squadron

2. Nature and/or Description of the Action: Ski and Snowboard Equipement

This is to purchase ski and snowboarding equipment with the brand name manufacturer HEAD.

3. Citation to the Appropriate Regulation:

(Contracting Officer Instruction: Select the applicable authority for this acquisition)

RFO 8.401 and GSAR 538.7104-3(a) (FSS Orders): The circumstances of the acquisition deem only one source reasonably capable of providing the products, services, or solutions.

RFO 11.204(a)(2)(ii) (Brand Name): The particular brand name, product, or feature is essential to the Government's requirements, and market research indicates other companies' similar products, or products lacking the particular feature, do not meet the agency's needs or cannot be modified to meet the agency's minimum needs,.

RFO 12.102(a) (Commercial Products and Services): Only one source is available,.

RFO 13.101(b) (Noncommercial Products and Services): Only one source is reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name, or industrial mobilization),.

4. Findings:

Overview:

To comply with DAFI 34-101 19.26.1. which is a core requirement to meet equipment use standards.

The ski/snowboard equipment are items needed to provide activities which form the foundation of the outdoor recreation program and units use as a part of team building and maintaining resilient, ready Airmen and Guardians. 60 FSS/FSWO' organization is in critical need of new ski and snowboard equipment. 60 FSS/FSWO' current inventory of equipment is outdated and has been in use for a significant amount of time, which has led to reduced performance and safety concerns. The outdated equipment also lacks the technological advancements that have been made in recent years, making it difficult for us to provide 60 FSS/FSWO customers with the best possible experience. Replacing 60 FSS/ FSWO outdated equipment with new ski and snowboard equipment will not only improve the safety and performance for our customers, but it will also enhance their overall experience.

Findings:

This is a Brand Name requirement.

Justification from Mission Partner is as follows:

"Previously, we mentioned that our team has been trained on Head Tyrolia equipment, and that switching to a different brand would incur additional costs. To elaborate, there are several reasons for this.

Firstly, it is essential to highlight that training our team members on new equipment is not only a matter of time but also involves financial investment. This includes the cost of new equipment (Tooling specific), instructors' fees, travel costs and the downtime required for our team members to familiarize themselves with the new systems and gain proficiency.

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATIONCONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

Moreover, the choice of Head Tyrolia is based on the comprehensive nature of their product line, which includes skis, snowboards, boots, bindings, and poles. This allows us to standardize our equipment and minimize the complexity of our inventory. For instance, the compatibility between Head Tyrolia's boots and bindings significantly simplifies the fitting and maintenance processes for our team.

Furthermore, the conformity provided by using a single brand extends beyond the equipment itself, as our team is well acquainted with the brand's specific warranty policies, customer support, and maintenance requirements. Transitioning to a different brand would require our team to adapt to new policies and processes, which could potentially increase operational costs and complicate day-to-day operations. To better clarify the tooling compatibility there are specific jigs used in the mounting of bindings to this brand of equipment.

Further, it should be noted importance of compatibility when it comes to maintaining equipment. Due to intrinsic differences in design, components, and protocols, a tool designed for one brand may not be compatible with equipment from another brand. This incompatibility could result in physical damage, safety issues, potentially causing other induced damage or operational problems.

In summary, our preference for Head Tyrolia is not solely based on the training expenses involved in transitioning to a new brand. Rather, it is a comprehensive decision considering factors such as training, compatibility, Tooling, and maintenance costs, as well as the cohesive nature of their various product offerings."

5. Determination: Based on the findings above, the proposed sole source or brand name action is justified under the applicable regulation.

6. Signatory Authority: (Contracting Officer Instruction: In accordance with DAF Approval Authorities Matrix PM 26-C-11 Matrix Item 51 for RFO 13.101(b) actions and GSAR 538.7104-3(a) for FSS orders, the Contracting Officer is the approval authority for these determinations).

Rachel S. Gil, CIV, DAF Contracting Officer

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DETERMINATION & FINDINGS

Authority to Solicit from a Single Source (at or below the SAT)

3. Citation to the Appropriate Regulation:

(Contracting Officer Instruction: Select the applicable authority for this acquisition) 2024.07.10.1.

4. Findings:

5. Determination: Based on the findings above, the proposed sole source or brand name action is justified under the applicable regulation.

6. Signatory Authority: (Contracting Officer Instruction: In accordance with DAF Approval Authorities Matrix PM 26-C-11 Matrix Item 51 for RFO 13.101(b) actions and GSAR 538.7104-3(a) for FSS orders, the Contracting Officer is the approval authority for these determinations).