Justification and Approval Wood Shop.docx

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

I. CONTRACTING ACTIVITY

Department of the Air Force, Air Mobility Command, 6th Contracting Squadron, MacDill AFB, Florida 33621.

II. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING PROCESSED

Sole source firm-fixed price contract award to Thermwood for a Thermwood Cabinet Shop Series CNC Router, Model CS43-510 for the wood hobby shop.

III. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES/SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE AGENCY’S NEEDS

The 6 FSS is in need of a complete nested based CNC routing system with moving gantry, fixed table for machining cabinets, custom furniture and support products.

IV. STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

10 USC 2304(c), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1 “Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements”.

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 Cabinet Shop Series CNC Router by Thermwood is the only contractor that provides the eCabinetsystems software integrated to the CNC Router with unlimited access to all the design libraries. eCabinetsystems provides custom layout, batch processing, manufacturing support, purchasing, cost estimating, line drawings, display editing, contour management, hardware hold editing, and proposal writing. This particular software provides what is known as “Quickcut” which is regarded as the fastest, easiest way to make cabinets by selecting from a library, resizing, and cutting it all by machine control. This software comes stock with the Thermwood CNC Router. To purchase an eCabinetsystems equivalent software separately would cost anywhere from $XX to $XX. The design software that the Thermwood uses does not limit the number of computers it can be licensed on, meaning that any customer could potentially take home the design software and design products from their homes. The Thermwood CNC Router pocessess the Gen2 Control System which includes the following characteristics; 3D Dynamic assembly displays/drawings, 3D volumetric laser calibration capability, real time audio/video conference link for machine and CNC program support (Virtual Service), on board CNC true shape part Nesting software “engine” (Control Nesting), DXF file import, nest then machining function (operates within Control Nesting), programmable feed rates & spindle speeds with override capability, Hand Held programming unit w/ pulse wheel / generator, control system air conditioner to control heat, humidity and provides positive pressure within the control system. The Thermwood CNC Router contains the CNC Machine which possesses the following characteristics; Engineered using ProE w/ Mechanica software, All Steel weldments, all weldments are Stress relieved, volumetric Compensation/Laser Calibration VIA FARO Laser tracker system, true gantry drive systems on all moving gantry machines, siemens Sinamic Servo drive systems on all machines, up to 2800IPM rapid indexing speeds, precision ball screw drives for z axis & case-hardened, precision helical rack & pinion drives on X & Y axes, high quality HSD (brand) spindle (12 hp, 3-24K RPM, Automatic tool change, cartridge type, unique table design allows for much more efficient vacuum flow than traditional, waffle style phenolic table, spoil board system allows for less expensive ¼” spoil board (handling sheet), comes equipped with ¾” table board AND ¼” handling sheet spoil board, table equipped for dual 5’ X 5’ vacuum zones, table vacuum controlled by pneumatic on/off switch.

VI. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS ARE SOLICITED FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS DEEMED PRACTICABLE

Two other sources were contacted. Techno was one of the contractors contacted. They provide a Techno 68197 Pro Series CNC Router. However Techno does not provide many of the features that the Thermwood CNC Router provides. The attached table of comparison shows many of the same features are available at an additional cost to the government. Flexicam was the other contractor contracted who provides a high end product for high end shops but again does not possess the same features that the Thermwood CNC Router provides. The main feature both of these lacks is the library of assorted designs for different cabinets included in the eCabinetsystems. Thermwood provides unlimited access to a library of different designs where both Flexicam and Techno both do not have a library. The design software which the Techno machine is configured for has a limit on the number of computers it can be licensed to. Meaning for each computer that possesses the design software a product key must be purchased costing an additional $XX per computer. Flexicam’s design software is only used on their machine.

VII. DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE ANTICIPATED COST TO THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAIR AND REASONABLE

The contracting officer will make a determination of price fair and reasonable IAW one or more of the methods in FAR 13.106-3 (a)(2) (i) Market research; (ii) Comparison of the proposed price with prices found reasonable on previous purchases; (iii) Current price lists, catalogs, or advertisements. However, inclusion of a price in a price list, catalog, or advertisement does not, in and of itself, establish fairness and reasonableness of the price; in accordance with FAR 15.404-3(c); (iv) A comparison with similar items in a related industry; (v) The contracting officer’s personal knowledge of the item being purchased; (vi) Comparison to an independent Government estimate; or (vii) Any other reasonable basis.

VIII. DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED AND THE RESULTS, OR A STATEMENT OF THE REASONS MARKET RESEARCH

WAS NOT CONDUCTED

Please see the attached table with the market research conducted.

IX. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

N/A

X. LIST OF SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THE ACQUISITION

N/A

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

N/A

XII. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S CERTIFICATION

The contracting officer’s signature on the Coordination and Approval Document evidences that he/she has determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of his/her knowledge and belief.

XIII. TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS PERSONNEL’S CERTIFICATION

As evidenced by their signatures on the Coordination and Approval Document, the technical and/or requirements personnel have certified that any supporting data contained herein, which is their responsibility, is both accurate and complete.