J A_for_Panasonic_Toughbooks_Aug_2015.doc

SOLE SOURCE / BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR PURCHASES NOT EXCEEDING THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THESHOLD FAR 13.106-1(b) (1)

1. In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.106-1(b)(1), I hereby determine that the toughbook laptops listed on DLAC59007 are available from only one source, Panasonic, and competition is precluded for the reasons indicated below. There are no substitutes available.

2. This acquisition is restricted to small businesses that are Panasonic resellers.

3. The 5 Panasonic Toughbooks are estimated to cost $14,322.06 and are required to be delivered by August 28, 2015.

The laptop required is a Win7, Intel Corei5-3320M 2.6GHZ vPro processor,12.1 1600x900 display, 320GB, 4GB, 802.11 Wifi a/b/g/n, CD/DVD Writer (Multi-drive), VGA video output, Toughbook preferred. No refurbish product.

4. Specific characteristics of the toughbook laptops that limit the availability to a sole source are the weight of the laptop. A weight of 4 pounds or less is essential because of the amount of time, approximately 260 days per year, which these laptops are being carried by instructors. Only the suggested source can furnish the requirements, to the exclusion of other sources, because no other source offers a rugged, lightweight laptop. In addition, these laptops use the Windows 7 operating systems, Panasonic SX laptop computers can be ordered with Windows. Compatibility of operating systems would greatly assist maintenance of a large inventory of DILLS laptops. In particular, the effiecienceis gained by; using Norton Ghost software to maintain laptops would be lost if operating systems are not compatible. Also, purchase of Panasonic SX2 laptops increases the chance that hardware such as hard drives can be cannibalized and reused. Extensive market research shows that the weight of the laptop for the next closest competitor in terms of weight is over six pounds.

5. A Market research will conducted and found other competitors to be far larger than acceptable and higher cost. No other business rugged model is known that meets all specification.

5. Check and fill in all that are applicable:

X The material or service must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit, and function) with existing systems presently utilized. The current equipment consists of Panasonic Toughbook laptops, and the new item/service must coordinate, connect, or interface with the existing laptops by being compatible in all aspects with current inventory of Panasonic toughbook laptops and meeting the weight requirement.

CERTIFICATION

I certify that statements checked and information provided above are complete and correct to the best of my knowledge. In accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b) (1), the processing of this sole-source justification precludes the use of full and open competition.

M Jane Donahue

Date

Program Manager, Contract Officer Rep.

James E. Washington, Jr.

Date

Contracting Officer