Attachment 9 - Brand Name JA - 09.17.2026 Signed.pdf

Department of the Air Force: Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition

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For use when a justification and approval as described in RFO 6.104 is required, to include restricting competition under Part 12 for acquisitions valued over SAT.

Dollar Value of this Acquisition: < $10M > $10M and < $100M > $100M and < $500M > $500M

CERTIFICATIONS: CO certification serves as J&A approval < $10M, See J&A Template Guidance at https://usaf.dps.mil/sites/ AFCC/AQCP/KnowledgeCenter/SitePages/DAF-Contracting-Compass/Part-6---Competition-Requirements.aspx#exceptions-to-full-and-open-competition-mandatory J&A Template Guidance tab

Date

17 September 2026

Contracting Officer (RFO 6.104-1(12)) Casey Hupton, NH-III, USAF

55 CONS/PKB

Signature

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Date

17 September 2026

Technical and Requirements Personnel (RFO 6.104(b)) Gary O. Laun, 55 CES, Electrical engineer

Signature

I certify that the supporting data herein, which is my responsibility, is accurate and complete.

COORDINATION Sign and Save Procedure

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Date

17 September 2026

Contracting Officer (RFO 6.104-1(12)) Casey Hupton, NH-III, USAF

55 CONS/PKB

Signature

X

APPROVALS ( RFO 6.104-2(a) Table 6-1 & R-DFARS 206.104-72 Table 206.1)

See J&A Template Guidance (https://usaf.dps.mil/sites/AFCC/AQCP/KnowledgeCenter/SitePages/DAF-Contracting-Compass/ Part-6---Competition-Requirements.aspx#exceptions-to-full-and-open-competition-mandatory) - Justification Approvals tab

NOTE 1: A signature block will appear here (replacing these notes) based on the "Dollar Value of this Acquisition" selected above. Since most digital signatures that include date/time-stamps are redacted before they are made publicly available, always insert the date in the “Date” cell when affixing a digital signature to this document.

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I. Agency and Contracting Activity (RFO 6.104-1(a)(1)):

Agency: ACC & USSTRATCOM Contracting Activity: 55 CONS/PKB, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska

II. Nature and/or description of the action being approved (RFO 6.104-1(a)(2)):

This document approves the award of a firm fixed-price purchase order of a Brand-Name Requirement to ABB as a prime or subcontractor for programming the Human Machine Interface (HMI) to allow manual implementation of Island Mode for the power (i.e. removing B1000 from commercial power), upgrading the Master Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) to latest hardware and software. The services required include upgrading reprogramming the HMI and the underlying PLC logic, upgrading hardware, testing and documenting field tests of new logic, correcting local/remote indicator lights, and developing, documenting, and providing system restoration software/hardware/licenses and recovery implementation methods needed to back up and restore the power controls system. This justification is made on an individual basis.

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs (RFO 6.104-1(a)(3)):

The anticipated cost of this contract is $866,060.00. 3400 funding is currently certified and available to be used.

1.1. Objectives: Contractor shall:

1.1.1. Provide a detailed cutover and rollback plan for each planned execution event, including the pre-cutover recovery baseline, restoration objective, rollback criteria, required backups and spares, communications procedures, and proposed execution window, for Government approval before work begins. The Government will identify the designated approval and rollback authority as part of each approved cutover plan. The contractor shall not proceed with a cutover without an approved plan and verified rollback readiness.

1.1.2. Provide a complete and usable system, and as such, the contractor shall verify that proposed controls modifications do not create unintended or unauthorized parallel power paths. Any intended parallel operation must be explicitly identified and evaluated by the Contractor and approved by the Government as part of this PWS.

1.1.3. Program capability to manually initiate NB0A & SB0B electrical busses separation from commercial power via HMI for a closed transition to generator power.

1.1.4. Program capability to manually and simultaneously separate Global Operations Center (GOC) from commercial power sources at breakers SU1C & SU2C via HMI.

1.1.5. The Contractor shall program the ability to use the emergency generator test automation in situations when Mission Support bus ties are closed and only one commercial source is in use.

1.1.6. Program capability to manually manage minimum generators required to meet load demand.

1.1.7. Program capability to use load banks in conjunction with live load generator testing.

1.1.8. Install input devices, output devices, and control switches to enable stated logic capabilities, manual modes, and automatic modes.

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1.1.9. Establish and limit Electric and Power System controls access to 55 Civil Engineering Squadron (CES) specified personnel via HMI.

1.1.10. Establish and limit Electric and Power System view access to USSTRATCOM specified personnel via HMI.

1.1.11. Replace/Upgrade Master A and Master B existing PLC with latest hardware and software versions.

1.1.12. Repair power to Primary Input/Output (I/O) PLC and Secondary I/O PLC so that modules have separate fuses.

1.1.13. Perform and document on-site systems field tests of new integrated logic for proper Power Plant and Electrical Switchgear function and controls operations.

1.1.14. Correct local/remote indication light.

1.1.14.1. Verify Local/Remote annunciation and correct if necessary.

1.1.14.2. Change switch legend to match whether Switch it is in "Manual” or “Automatic” mode.

1.1.15. Documentation, Commissioning, and Training: The Contractor Shall

1.1.15.1. Develop, document, and provide system restoration software/hardware/licenses and recovery implementation methods needed to back up and restore the power controls system.

1.1.15.2. Update and test the switchgear's PLC programming to define the system's response to concurrent failure scenarios, and based on the final code, develop a comprehensive Sequence of Operations (SOO) document and a supporting Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) report detailing all normal, abnormal, and failure modes.

1.1.15.3. Perform commissioning tests on all upgrades, repairs, and replacements to demonstrate successful implementation of intended SOO as well as the successful retention of previous system settings that provided automatic system recovery from simultaneous unforeseen total commercial power grid loss.

1.1.15.4. Perform training to on-site maintenance personnel integrated with commissioning activities as well as upon completion of successful implementation to include a video disk (as security allows) for Operations, Maintenance, and Facilities Engineering personnel. Training shall clarify “red button” operation and troubleshooting. Areas contained within Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) shall not have video recordings required.

1.1.16. The following items are not included for repair/replacement within these objectives:

1.1.16.1. Programmable Logic Controllers not specifically listed above (e.g. Generator PLCs)

1.1.16.2. Electric Meters not specifically listed above (e.g. EPM9900s located in SU1C/SU2C transformer pit)

1.1.17. In order to provide a complete and usable system, the contractor shall verify that proposed controls modifications do not create unintended or unauthorized parallel power paths. Require any intended parallel operation to be explicitly identified and evaluated during design development.

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IV. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition (RFO 6.104-1(a)(4)):

RFO 12.201-1 Simplified Procedures, 41 U.S.C. 1901

RFO 12.201-2, Other procedures - 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1)

V. Rationale for Use of Authority (RFO 6.104-1(a)(5)):

Electric power sources to USSTRATCOM must operate as a never fail utility. Commercial power loss is inevitable due to weather, and man-made/natural disasters. Emergency Power Generate systems, Distributed Control Systems (DCS), and Electrical Switchgear must continuously perform at the highest possible level of operational resiliency.

Through market research, it has been identified that ABB has a list of authorized vendors to supply ABB products, however, the software in those systems comes directly from ABB. Furthermore, ABB has stated there are no restrictions that prevent other parties from administering, modifying, or inspecting the programming data or source codes associated with software developed by ABB; however, using other than ABB products, or utilizing a contractor that is not familiar with the system's programming can subject the DCS to impaired or improper operations, thereby increasing risk of electric power loss at USSTRATCOM. ABB has indicated that once their software is changed, they will no longer be able to work on the system without removing and reinstalling the programming. Any word done on their proprietary system would result in termination of their warranties and availability to support the software currently loaded.

Because of the potential electric power supply risks with mixing ABB and third party products as part of the DCS, and because of the potential interoperability risks with different programming sources, codes, or languages, another contractor would have to recreate the entire DCS. Substantial duplication of cost to the Government would not be recovered through competition, and the added time of creating a new DCS would cause unacceptable delays in fulfilling USSTRATCOM's requirement of upgrading/repairing the current DCS.

ABB currently owns the proprietary source files, passwords, service tools, interface documentation, firmware, communications mapping, and licenses necessary to perform and maintain the work.

VI. Integrated Market Analysis and Efforts to Solicit Competition (RFO 6.104-1(a)(6), (8), and (10)):

This requirement will be satisfied on a competitive basis. Only required portions relating to the software upgrades being required to go back to ABB. This requirement was previously approved to be solicited on a brand name basis by the Chief of the Contracting Office on 09.14.2024. Additional market research has been conducted since the approval of that justification and no new information was found. A sources sought was posted on sam.gov from 07 August 2026 - 24 August 2026. Due to the complex nature of this requirement, the sources sought required vendors to provide the following information:

the vendors experience working with similar equipment (specifically PLC & HMI devices, generator testing and commissioning with a secure system, creation of SOP and Failure Modes and Effects Analysis reports, and the hardware repairs and safety upgrades), the key personnel that would be

May 2026 Page 5 of 5May 2026 Page 5 of 5 assigned to the project (specifically experience creating the CDRL documents, emergency management, and CUI/NDA compliance), and a summarized outage and restoration plan to maintain the "no-fail" system during maintenance. Two contractors responded to the sources sought: MSS, LLC.

(a small business) and M.C. Dean (a large business). MSS, LLC was found to not have the capabilities to accomplish the required work due to their failure to provide any of the information requested in the sources sought announcement. M.C. Dean was found to be capable after providing all required documentation and an analysis by CES/J4 SMEs.

As previously stated, the remaining work can be done and provided on a competitive basis. Only portions of the work are required to be brand name specific, requiring the use of ABB equipment and access to proprietary data.

VII. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost (RFO 6.104-1(a)(7)):

The Contracting Officer is responsible for evaluating, determining, and documenting the anticipated contract cost/price is fair and reasonable in accordance with RFO Subpart 15.4, Contract Pricing.

VIII. Any Other Facts Supporting the Justification (RFO 6.104-1(a)(9)):

N/A

IX. Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition (RFO 6.104-1(a)(11):

Prior to performing additional work on this system, additional market research and coordination with ABB will be conducted to try and find authorized vendors or an alternative source to allow for full and open competition. If the entire system is later replaced, the government will consider a system that is not proprietary to any one specific company.

May 2026 Page of For use when a justification and approval as described in RFO 6.104 is required, to include restricting competition under Part 12 for acquisitions valued over SAT.

Dollar Value of this Acquisition:

CERTIFICATIONS: CO certification serves as J&A approval < $10M, See J&A Template Guidance at https://usaf.dps.mil/sites/AFCC/AQCP/KnowledgeCenter/SitePages/DAF-Contracting-Compass/Part-6---Competition-Requirements.aspx#exceptions-to-full-and-open-competition-mandatory J&A Template Guidance tab I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

I certify that the supporting data herein, which is my responsibility, is accurate and complete.

COORDINATION

** The text in the signature blocks below is editable, including the title.

** To remove a row, click the "X" next to the signature block. CAUTION: Once removed, it can only be restored by downloading the BLANK FORM again.

APPROVALS ( RFO 6.104-2(a) Table 6-1 & R-DFARS 206.104-72 Table 206.1) See J&A Template Guidance (https://usaf.dps.mil/sites/AFCC/AQCP/KnowledgeCenter/SitePages/DAF-Contracting-Compass/Part-6---Competition-Requirements.aspx#exceptions-to-full-and-open-competition-mandatory) - Justification Approvals tab NOTE 1: A signature block will appear here (replacing these notes) based on the "Dollar Value of this Acquisition" selected above. Since most digital signatures that include date/time-stamps are redacted before they are made publicly available, always insert the date in the “Date” cell when affixing a digital signature to this document.

I. Agency and Contracting Activity (RFO 6.104-1(a)(1)):

II. Nature and/or description of the action being approved (RFO 6.104-1(a)(2)):

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs (RFO 6.104-1(a)(3)):

IV. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition (RFO 6.104-1(a)(4)):

V. Rationale for Use of Authority (RFO 6.104-1(a)(5)):

VI. Integrated Market Analysis and Efforts to Solicit Competition (RFO 6.104-1(a)(6), (8), and (10)):

VII. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost (RFO 6.104-1(a)(7)):

VIII. Any Other Facts Supporting the Justification (RFO 6.104-1(a)(9)):

IX. Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition (RFO 6.104-1(a)(11):

9.0.0.2.20120627.2.874785