J A_E-36_redacted_Redacted1.pdf

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

I. Contracting Activity.

Department of the Air Force, 673d Contracting Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), AK 99506.

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

A new five year, firm-fixed price, single award, indefinite delivery-indefinite quantity contract with economic price adjustment award is anticipated for Cryotech brand E-36 Potassium Acetate Runway Deicer Fluid. Purchase Request F1W3FA5064A001 is pending certification using FY15 Air Force Operations and Maintenance funding (3400).

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

773 CES requires deicing fluid for the runways and taxiways at JBER, AK. 773 CES is charged with keeping the runways and taxiways clear of snow and ice throughout the winter. They are required to use deicing products that are approved for use on Air Force aircraft. Per AFI 32-1002, Snow and Ice Control, Potassium Acetate is approved for use for deicing. It conforms to the requirements mandated for safe use during winter conditions. Potassium Acetate specifications are below:

• Deicing/Anti-icing Fluid for Runways and Taxiways, 50% aqueous potassium acetate solution, by weight, plus corrosion inhibitors.

• Must be certified to meet the requirements set by SAE AMS 1435B, “Fluid, Generic, Deicing/Anti-Icing Runways and Taxiways.”

• Clear, mobile liquid, free from matter in suspension.

• Density at 68 °F = 11 lbs/gallon maximum.

• Viscosity at 68°F = 10 cp maximum.

• Flash Point at 32°F = 20 cp maximum.

• Freezing Point = -76°F or colder.

• Must be approved for use by the F-22 Primary Aircraft Authorization.

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

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1 and FAR 13.501(a)(1) Note: Part 6 references in this document are used as guidance IAW FAR 6.001(a).

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

SAE AMS 1435B Certification.

JBER currently has the capacity to store a total of 185,000 gallons of Cryotech E-36 potassium acetate in three tanks.

All airfield chemicals must meet the requirements for chemicals used on airfields in accordance with the following statement from AFI 32-1002 A2.2 “All liquid chemicals for airfield use (other than isopropyl alcohol and propylene alcohol) must be certified to SAE AMS 1435B, 1435B, Fluid, Generic, Deicing/Anti-Icing Runways and Taxiways. CAUTION: Do not allow any mixing or blending of deicing products from different manufacturers in storage and dispensing tanks. This could affect the chemistry of the originally certified products and the product would then require re- testing to ensure it satisfies SAE AMS 1435B.”

For this reason Cryotech brand E-36 potassium acetate is the only product with the unique and specialized chemical properties that are compatible with current stock without jeopardizing the certification required under SAE AMS 1435B.

Airframe Approval.

AFI 32-1002 para 2.4.5. states, “Before using any airfield anti-icing/deicing products, the installation will obtain approval for their primary aircraft authorization (PAA) from the appropriate PM(s), coordinated through AFCEC/

COO.” Therefore, any deicers must be approved for use on aircraft by the PAA. Dan Steffens, the PAA for the F-22 aircraft, and Mr. Matt Behm, Materials Engineer Staff of Lockheed Martin F-22 Materials and Processes Engineering (M&PE) department, compiled a list of approved F-22 deicing fluids. The only AMS 1435 Potassium Acetate Runway Deicer approved for use on the F-22 is Cryotech E-36 potassium acetate.

JBER uses and maintains the F-22 aircraft. Since the PAA has only approved Cryotech E-36 potassium acetate for use on the F-22, Cryotech E-36 is the only potassium acetate deicer that will fulfill JBER's need.

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

Chemical Certification.

Scientific Material International (SMI), a chemical testing company in Miami, Florida, was contacted to determine if there were any pre-approved certifications of any other manufacturer's that can be mixed with Cryotech E-36. SMI stated that no pre-approved mixtures are available. Each mixture would need to be certified separately without knowing in advance if it could be certified SAE AMS 1435B. The certification procedure is a 16 week process from receipt of samples and would cost an estimated $7,150. This process would be required each time the chemical mixture changes. There is an added risk that the final mixed solution would not be certified.

Airframe Certification.

AFMC and AFRL are responsible for testing and approving new products on specific airframes. For information on gaining airframe approval see section XI.

This requirement will be posted on www.FBO.gov for a period of 30 days in order to identify distributors and maximize potential competition. Any distributor of Cryotech brand E-36 potassium acetate with accesses www.FBO.gov will be able to provide a quote in response to the solicitation.

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

The government will use various price analysis techniques and procedures (FAR 15.404-1(b)) including comparison to GSA pricing, DLA pricing, comparison to similar products (other manufacturer's deicers), and previous purchase prices. This product has been purchased consistently over the last 20 years. Historical data along with supply schedules will allow for adequate price fair and reasonable determination. Negotiation may be employed as required to further ensure the price is fair and reasonable.

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

The commercial market was surveyed for commercial standards, practices and procedures. Market research was performed by Contract Specialist 1st Lt Luke Gillis of 673 CONS/LGCC by examining the mandatory sources of supply and prior contracts that were awarded. A total of 13 contracts and orders were reviewed to determine acquisition methods and results.

NASI Alpine RF-11 was suggested as an alternate product to Cryotech brand E-36 during previous acquisitions of potassium acetate. Alpine RF-11 is SAE AMS 1435C certified and has been tested by LIMA AMIL at Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) for chemical compatibility with Cryotech E-36; however, the mixture has not been certified to meet or exceed SAE AMS 1435B.

673 CONS contacted the following organizations to determine the possibility of mixing an alternate product with our current stock of Cryotech E-36:

LIMA Amil at Université du Québec à Chicoutimi SAE International Scientific Material International The AFI manager for AFI 32-1002, Preston Benedyk The F-22 Primary Airframe Authorization, Dan Steffens The Materials Engineer Staff of Lockheed Martin F-22 Materials and Processes Engineering (M&PE) department, Matt Behm

Although each individual product is certified to meet SAE AMS 1435 standards, mixtures of these products have not been certified to meet SAE AMS 1435B standards which is required IAW AFI 32-1002 A2.2.

The idea of flushing the tanks after use of a particular product was brought up by an RF-11 vendor. The vendor suggested draining one tank and pump, cleaning it out, and refilling the tank with the product of a different manufacturer. 773 CES stated that the two 40,000 tanks are interconnected. Cleaning these two tanks would be a lengthy process and would cause us to rely on the 105,000 gallon tank until the cleaning was complete. Also, the trucks and pumps would require purging and cleansing which would create a gap in mission readiness. During the cleaning, there would be no way to deice the runways. The switch to a different manufacturer would be a logistical problem and would jeopardize the JBER mission. Also, none of these alternate potassium acetates have been approved by the F-22 PAA. Even if flushing the tanks was plausible, any other product would need to be tested and approved for F-22 use.

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.

The following sources expressed interest in this acquisition:

The following sources expressed interest in a previous acquisition:

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.

There will always be a certain stock level within the tanks and all new deliveries must be of the same brand IAW AFI 32-1002 A2.2 and certified IAW SAE AMS 1435B. The agency can coordinate with commercial vendors who are willing to conduct independent testing to certify mixtures of different brands of potassium acetate. Any vendor interested in having their products tested for deicing can contact the AF CE Vehicle Program/Snow Control Manager, Mr. Preston Benedyk, at preston.benedyk.1@us.af.mil. The agency can periodically evaluate the economic and/or mission impacts of a complete drain and flush without wasting current stock or falling below critical mission support thresholds.

Also, any vendor interested in having their products tested for F-22 airframe deicing approval can contact the PAA, Dan Steffens at daniel.steffens.1.ctr@us.af.mil.

Furthermore, 773 CES is exploring the feasibility of building an additional tank which would increase storage capacity for deicer fluid. If another product gains approval for use on the F-22 , additional storage should allow another product to be used. An additional tank will help avoid any potential problems from mixing or blending of deicing products from different manufacturers in storage and dispensing tanks.

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 (our) signature(s) above, I (we) certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my (our) responsibility, is both accurate and complete.