Brand_Name_Justification,_HVAC_Control_Systems,_Redacted_.pdf

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

MID-ATLANTIC REGION

Justification For Other Than Full And Open Competition

1. Background, identification, and description of action being approved.

A solicitation is being prepared for the Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) Mid- Atlantic Social Security Center (MATSSC) in Philadelphia, PA. The solicitation covers a wide range of actions to restore and upgrade parts, but not all of, the building’s existing HVAC systems to include computer room air conditioning units, pipe insulation, field conditioning units (FCUs), air handling units (AHUs), and expansion joints. This office requests approval to permit the construction documents of this project to specify HVAC control equipment with the brand name Andover Continuum Brand, which is manufactured by Schneider Electric Corporation. In accordance with FAR 6.302- 1(c)(ii)(A) and (B), this brand name justification covers only the HVAC control systems with the brand name Andover Continuum Brand, and the use of such descriptions in a portion of this acquisition is essential to the Government’s requirements, thereby precluding consideration of a product manufactured by another company.

2. Description of supplies or services required.

The solicitation includes the renovation and replacement of computer room air conditioning units, pipe insulation, field conditioning units (FCUs), air handling units (AHUs), and expansion joints. The solicitation also includes replacing degraded HVAC controls equipment and providing new HVAC controls components compatible with the existing building control system in the MATSSC facility, including time delay relays, refrigeration controls, temperature controls, fan controls, and pressure controls.

HVAC equipment being replaced in this project that functions in a stand-alone manner does not require a brand-name justification and will be procured using full and open competition. HVAC controls being replaced in this project do not function in a stand-alone manner. They must be fully networked with the existing Andover Continuum Brand control systems already existing in the building and manufactured by Schneider Electric Corporation.

3. Identification of statutory authority.

Section 303(c)(1) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act (41 U.S.C.

253(c)(1)), permits other than full and open competition when supplies or services required by the agency are available from one responsible source and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

4. Demonstration that the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

The MATSSC facility contains 570 thousand square feet of space, which must be appropriately conditioned for occupant comfort and operation of temperature-sensitive computer-based systems. Individual sub-systems of the HVAC system can be procured from a variety of manufactures, but the control system functions as a single unitary system so components of the control system that will be replaced in this project must fully integrate with the existing Andover Continuum Brand control system already in place exclusively and throughout the building. Replacement of any parts of the control system in the facility needs to be seamlessly integrated with the existing control system, and not degrade the current level of communication, addressability, and redundancy.

The HVAC control components being replaced in this project do not function in a stand-alone manner. They integrate with the existing single unitary building-wide HVAC control system, which is the Andover Continuum Brand. The entire HVAC control system is not being replaced in this project. The HVAC control components being replaced must be the Andover Continuum Brand so that they function as part of the existing building-wide system already in place, which is the Andover Continuum Brand.

Control systems from another manufacturer are not acceptable because the system communications protocols from another manufacturer would not provide a demonstrably high level of confidence of interfacing properly with the system communications protocols of Andover Continuum Brand control systems existing and fully integrated throughout the building.

5. Description of efforts to solicit as many offers as practicable.

The procurement will be conducted as a total set aside for small business, which will maximize competition overall, including the possibility of the general contractor to source Andover Continuum Brand control system parts from competing vendors.

6. Demonstration that the anticipated cost will be fair and reasonable.

The Government used an independent government estimate prepared by the designer of record to assist in its price reasonableness determination. The independent government estimate for the brand name supplies is REDACTED. The total independent government cost estimate for the entire project is REDACTED. The cost of the brand name supplies shall be deemed fair and reasonable provided the Contracting Officer specifically determines in writing that the overall price for contract award is fair and reasonable.

7. Description of market survey conducted.

A market survey for the HVAC control system components was not conducted because of the Government’s need for products by one particular manufacturer.

8. Other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

Conversations with the designer of record, SSA and GSA technical personnel and project managers took place at different instances throughout the design process to confirm that the above information is correct.

9. List of sources that expressed an interest in the acquisition.

In accordance with PIC Directive 12-06, Revision #2, dated 10/1/15, Section 3, a synopsis will be posted for a minimum of 30 calendar days on FedBizOpps to notify potential offerors of the requirement.

10. Statement of actions to overcome barriers to competition.

This solicitation will be posted for small business on FedBizOpps. This means that small business contractors can propose on this project. Contractors have the ability to compete the parts requirements amongst various suppliers who can provide the brand name equipment.

11. Contracting officer certification.

In accordance with FAR 13.501(a)(2)(i), the contracting officer certifies that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of the Contracting Officer’s knowledge and belief.

12. Technical personnel certification

All of the information contained in this justification is accurate and complete to the best of the Contracting Officer’s Representative’s knowledge and belief.