Raaco Work Boxes - Brand Name Justification_Redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

OKLAHOMA CITY AIR LOGISTICS COMPLEX

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE OKLAHOMA

1 November 2019

MEMORANDUM FOR AFSC/PZIM Contracting Officer

FROM: OC-ALC OBCA

SUBJECT: Brand Name Justification for P20-014 Work Boxes

1. 76 PMXG requires Raaco workboxes for the 76 PMXG Industrial Product Vendor (IPV) Production

Logistic Support (PLS). These boxes have the ability to be modular and allow for multiple configurations in

IPV kits. There are approximately 106 kits within 76 PMXG and each one consists of 8 to 75 National Stock

Numbers (NSN). IPV workboxes require Foreign Object Debris (FOD) control. Market research shows that

Raaco workboxes are the only boxes that have the ability to lock the internal inserts into place, preventing them from exiting the boxes during use. They are also the only boxes with split lids that allow for placement of diagrams showing the location of each part for FOD control and tool accountability. Raaco boxes grant 76

PMXG the ability to order replacement inserts without having to order additional boxes. Raaco boxes come with a lifetime warranty. Raaco boxes have the ability to be color coded to allow for better quality control and more efficient accountability.

2. Other manufacturers’ workboxes have been used for prototyping. These boxes allow for modular configuration, but they do not allow PMXG to order additional inserts without purchasing complete boxes.

These boxes were in place for two months and were already experiencing failures with their latches.

Considering the short amount of time the boxes were in use and the amount of failures they experienced, only

Raaco boxes will have the lifespan PMXG requires. Boxes from other manufacturers will not accept the abuse of daily operations. The split lid configuration is only available Raaco boxes. This prevents the need for bulky paperwork to be attached to the box. This interferes with closing the boxes and the security of parts inside. The non-Raaco boxes do not have the capability to be color coded without purchasing additional items.

3. PMXG already has a number of these Raaco workboxes for use in the IPV Kitting Flight. Purchasing another brand of workboxes to satisfy this requirement will result in loss of efficiency and non-uniformity with the existing stock of Raaco boxes.

4. The Government will continue to conduct market research to determine if any other manufacturers have/can develop comparable work boxes to satisfy this requirement in the future.

5. Point of contact for this memorandum is , or e-mail at

6. I have determined, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b), that the circumstances of this contract action deem a specific brand name to be required.

OC-ALC OBCA GS-12 AFSC/PZIMC

Contracting Officer Program Management Specialist