Attachment_D_-_FBO_Justification_and_Approval.pdf

Ver: Jun 2015

Justification and Approval

For Other Than Full and Open Competition

1. Contracting Agency: Defense Human Resource Activity- DHRA Contracting Directorate 4800 Mark Center Drive, Alexandria, Virginia, 22350.

2. Authority Cited:

10 U.S.C.2304(c)(1), FAR 6.302-1 -- Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements –BRAND NAME.

3. Description of Supplies and Services:

The Computer/Electronics Accommodations Program (CAP) Office requires 3 Juliet 120 Braille Embossers for multiple CAP partnered federal government agencies. These Juliet 120 Braille Embossers will provide federal employees of CAP partnered agencies who are blind with the necessary equipment to complete their tasks with a portable braille printing solution.

4. Description of Action:

A firm fixed price contract is planned for this one time acquisition. FY17 Operating and Maintenance (O&M) funds are available in the total estimated amount of $XXXXXX.

5. Reason for Authority Cited:

a. The Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1973, as amended, Title VI – Employment Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities requires assisting employers in understanding and meeting the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 21101 et seq.) as the Act relates to employment of individuals with disabilities. These products are required by multiple federal government agencies to provide their employees who are blind the necessary equipment to complete their tasks with a portable braille printing solution. The Juliet 120 Braille Embosser is the only product that meets the specific dimensions and features required by the employees and their agencies.

b. For each product, other brand name alternatives were evaluated:

The Juliet 120 Braille Embosser was specifically requested by a CAP customer who requires the ability to print hard copy materials in Braille as a part of their essential job functions. The Phoenix Braille Embosser is a comparable item, but it can only print at a quality of 25 DPI and at a speed of 50 characters per second. The Juliet 120 is able to print with a quality of 50 DPI and 120 characters per second. This quality and speed is required for this CAP customer to perform essential job functions with materials printed in Braille. The Mountbatten Brailler is another comparable product. However, the Mountbatten is designed to convert text to Braille and Braille to text with translation available in multiple languages. It has embosser and graphics capabilities, but cannot product the quality or speed needed by this CAP customer to perform essential job duties because it is designed to help teacher work with children in an educational

Ver: Jun 2015 setting. The Gemini is another comparable product. This Braille embosser can produce printed material, including graphics. However, it can only product one-sided materials at a rate of 32 characters per second. The Juliet 120 is able to produce high quality Braille output at 120 characters per second. The Juliet 120 is the only Braille embosser that meets all the quality and speed requirements to allow this CAP customer to perform essential job functions.

c. Market research indicates that these specific products are the only ones that will meet each customer’s individual needs, taking into account their disability condition.

6. Effort to Obtain Competition: Competitive quotes will be sought directly from vendors from whom these products are available. This is a first time acquisition.

7. Effort to remove barriers to/increase competition: For future requirements, the CAP office will conduct a thorough review of the marketplace to ensure that any/all barriers to competition are removed so that competition can be obtained to the maximum extent practicable.

8. Market Research: Research was conducted via GSA Advantage, the internet, and direct contact with vendors for pricing information. Market research identified two small businesses that can fill this requirement, neither of which hold a GSA schedule. Additional vendors stated they could no longer provide this product at this time.

9. Interested Sources: 1) Humanware, 1 Ups Way, P. O. Box 800, Champlain, NY 12919-4569.

2) Integration Technologies Group, 2745 Hartland Road, Falls Church, VA 22043.

10. Other Factors: Executive Order 13164 requires all Federal agencies to establish procedures on handling requests for reasonable accommodation for civilian employees; to include wounded service members. The CAP office time frame for processing an approved request is not later than 30 business days from the date of the request. As a result delivery for this acquisition is not later than 20 days after the date of award.