SSJ_-_Redacted_Redacted.pdf

Single Source Justification (Simplified Acquisition)

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

March 2018 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 1 of 2

Section A: General Contract Information

Is this a Bridge Action as defined in the AF Bridge Action Reduction Plan? Yes No

Contracting Activity: OL:H/PZIMB

Project/Program Name: CEE-BEE Remover A-235

Purchase Request/Identification Number:

Estimated Contract Cost (including Options):

Section B: Description of the Supplies/Services Required

The 309 Commodities Maintenance Group (CMXG) has a requirement for CEE-BEE Remover A-235. CEE-BEE Remover A-235 is a diphase, solvent-base, alkaline, cold-tank carbon and paint remover made by McGean-Rohco.

Qty: 4,000 EA - gallons to be delivered twice each year over 5 years.

Section C: Justification for Soliciting from a Single Source or Brand Name

The current paint removal process involves chemically stripping landing gear by immersion into tanks filled with CEE-BEE Remover A-235 to loosen and strip the paint followed by plastic media blasting to remove remaining adhering paint. CEE-BEE A-235 is effective enough to remove approximately 95% or more of the paint. If a fast and effective paint stripper is not available, additional plastic media blasting would be required to remove the excess paint. It is estimated that the labor and blast media usage would triple if an alternative paint stripper is used rather than CEE-BEE Remover A-235. The current labor cost for blast media operations are per year and blast media disposal costs are per year.

The immersion process established by the 309 CMXG was built around the use of CEE-BEE A-235. McGean-Rohco also makes CEE-BEE Remover R-256, however, this is used with spray equipment rather than immersion, which CMXG does not have. There are additional alternative paint strippers available, but they require elevated temperatures, which would require the immersion tanks be modified for heating and educator agitation (no air) to maintain solution homogeneity. As such, there would be a significant increase in energy consumption on these large tanks.

If CMXG were to use an alternative paint remover, it would require the current CEE-BEE Remover A-235 (4,000 gallon tank) be disposed of prior to refilling the tank. This would result in a loss of in product. This would require the landing gear overhaul process to be shut down while the new baths are made up, the system would have to be reprogrammed to adjust immersion times, and the process orders would have to be updated. These delays would cause a back log of parts to be stripped and disrupt the entire overhaul process for landing gear.

Section D: Efforts to Obtain Competition

Market research did not identify additional vendors capable of providing McGean-Rohco CEE-BEE Remover A-235. The contract manager reached out to McGean-Rohco on 5/8/19 and requested a list of authorized distributors. He spoke with Rita Tormento, Customer Service Manager at McGean-Rohco, who verified that they are the OEM and there are no other authorized distributors of the CEE-BEE Remover A-235. There are alternative paint strippers available, however, using them would significantly increase blast media costs, require modification to immersion tanks, and require purging of the tanks resulting in significant product loss.

Section E: Steps to Preclude Future Single Source or Brand Name Awards

McGean-Roho is the only manufacturer capable of providing the CEE-BEE Remover A-235. Until the 309 CMXG decides to purge and modify their tanks, and also develop a new landing gear overhaul process, they will be required to continue using CEE-BEE Remover A-235. Accordingly, McGean-Roho CEE-BEE Remover A-235 is the only paint stripper available without the U.S. Air

Single Source Justification (Simplified Acquisition)

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

March 2018 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 2 of 2

Force experiencing substantial increased costs that could not be expected to be recovered through competition.

Section F: Contracting Officer's Determination

I have determined, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), that the circumstances of this contract action deem only a single source is reasonably available.

Date Typed Name and Rank/Grade of Contracting Officer Signature of Contracting Officer

23 May 19 Hideo Mera, GS-12