JA - AFMC HQ Reno - Fire Alarm System - Brand Name - SAM Redacted.pdf

LRL_FY22-22

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Agency: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Louisville District, Post Office Box 59, Louisville, Kentucky 40201-0059.

2. Description of Action: This justification and approval (J&A) is being prepared for the use of a brand name item, Simplex fire alarm system equipment, in the firm fixed price construction contract for the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) Headquarters Renovation Phase 1 (Package A) project at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The government will not purchase the Simplex equipment directly, but rather brand name specifications will be included in the design bid build solicitation that will lead to a new firm fixed price (FFP) construction contract. The construction contract is planned to be awarded under a full and open solicitation, using FY23 Air Force O&M funding.

3. Description of Supplies/Services: The fire alarm system equipment will include a fire alarm control unit, pole stations, room smoke detectors, duct detectors, control relay modules, and local operator consoles; which are manufactured by Simplex, Westminster, Massachusetts. The estimated total cost for the equipment is approximately .

4. Authority Cited: 10 United States Code (U.S.C.) 2304(c)(1), as implemented by

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1(a)(2), “Only One Responsible Source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.” This authority is applicable to brand name justifications in accordance with FAR 6.302-1(c)(1).

5. Reason for Authority Cited: As described at FAR 6.302-1(a)(2), when the supplies or services required by the agency are available only from one responsible source and no other types of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, full and open competition need not be provided for. Only Simplex fire alarm system equipment will satisfy agency requirements here because it is the only equipment that can satisfy code requirements for connection to and operation with the existing base-wide fire alarm system at WPAFB.

a) Background: The AFMC Headquarters Renovation will consist of renovating the existing buildings and site of 10262 and 10266. This project will be a total renovation of all building systems, fixtures, and interior finishes. The existing facility is a three-story building, two above ground, that was originally constructed in 1944. It has undergone extensive renovations through the years. Many of the building systems have reached the end of their life expectancy. Any update to the fire alarm and detection systems must be code-compliant systems.

The fire alarm system must adhere to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) 72 code; which mandates that the completed work must be a single UL listed system. The existing AFMC facilities fire alarm system is a Simplex system; which is a proprietary system. The scope of the AFMC HQ Renovation project requires the integration of the fire alarm system with the existing Wright-Patterson base-wide fire alarm system.

The mixing of any components from alternate vendors with the existing Simplex fire alarm system will result in a non-UL listed system and would not satisfy the requirements of NFPA 72.

b) Justification: Simplex, Inc. is the sole manufacturer of the existing equipment being utilized by Wright-Patterson AFB for their fire alarm system; which includes the fire alarm control unit, pole stations, room smoke detectors, duct detectors, control relay modules, and local operator consoles. In order for the system to remain in compliance with the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) 72 code as an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed system, Simplex equipment will need to be required for the project fire alarm system in order to integrate it with the existing WPAFB fire alarm system.

The Simplex fire alarm control unit, pole stations, room smoke detectors, duct detectors, control relay modules, and local operator consoles are comprised of proprietary software and hardware. The Simplex proprietary software is the intellectual property of Simplex, Inc.

c) Impact: The use of any parts from any other manufacturer would be incompatible with the existing Simplex system. The Simplex system uses proprietary software and the utilization of parts from other manufacturers will result in communication errors with the Simplex system, making it inoperable.

In addition, NFPA code mandates one operable system for a facility. Using an additional manufacturer would violate the NFPA code.

d) Alternatives: None viable to achieve a fully functioning system for the reasons noted above in paragraph 5. b) and c). This project will provide a total replacement of the existing fire alarm and detection system.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Technical requirements of various manufacturers were reviewed for compatibility to the current fire alarm system; however use of different equipment from what is currently being utilized would result in a non-UL system and would not meet the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) 72 code.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: The capabilities of manufacturers and code requirements will be reviewed on future actions to determine if the situation has changed.

8. Market Research: A technical review and evaluation was conducted of the fire alarm system requirements for the AFMC and WPAFB facilities. As discussed in paragraph 6 above, only the Simplex equipment will ensure compatibility with the existing fire alarm system and compliance with the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) 72 code.

A Notice of Intent to Sole Source was posted 05 January 2022. To date, no other sources have written to express interest. If prior to issuance of the solicitation, responses are received expressing interest, the justification will be amended.

9. Interested Sources: A Notice of Intent to Sole Source was posted 05 January 2022.

To date, no other sources have written to express interest. If prior to issuance of the solicitation, responses are received expressing interest, the justification will be amended.

10. Other Factors:

a) Procurement History: N/A

b) Acquisition Data Availability: N/A

c) Unusual and Compelling Urgency: N/A

d) Subcontracting Competition: N/A

11. Technical Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the Justification and Approval, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

12. Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the Justification and Approval, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

13. Legal Review and Concurrence: I hereby determine that the information herein is legally sufficient and I concur with the sole source procurement.

14. Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

I hereby determine that an anticipated cost for Simplex equipment for this project will be fair and reasonable based upon the estimate outlined in paragraph 3. At time of evaluating proposal price, the overall proposed price will be evaluated for fair and reasonableness. I recommend this approach to the prompt attainment of services for the upcoming construction.