JA Brand Name or Equal_Ebac Dehumidiers_August 2024 (OGC JPT 10 Sep 24) Redacted.pdf

CUI//SP-PROCURE//DL ONLY

J&A No. BIC-24-025

CUI//SP-PROCURE//DL ONLY

V1.3, 15 March 2023

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL (J&A)

FOR USE OF BRAND NAME OR EQUAL DESCRIPTIONS, OR PROPRIETARY SPECIFICATIONS

AND STANDARDS, IN SOLICITATIONS

1. Contracting Activity.

USMC, Blount Island Command (BICmd), Contract Support Management Office, Jacksonville, Florida

2. Description of the Action Being Approved.

The purpose of this J&A is to approve the procurement of firm fixed price contract for Ebac Industrial Products Inc., NEPTUNE 110V 60Hz and KOMPACT 110V 60Hz dehumidifiers.

3. Description of the Supplies/Services.

Ebac dehumidifiers (NEPTUNE 110V 60Hz and KOMPACT 110V 60Hz) are critical components utilized by BICmd Navy Branch to protect watercraft interior spaces, equipage and installed electronic equipment from excess moisture and organic growth typically inherent with watercraft in high humidity locations.

Estimated Dollar Value

Part No. Description QTY Unit Price Subtotal Freight Total

10199GR-US NEPTUNE 110V 60Hz 20 $1036.00 $24864.00 $574.62 $20,720.00 10240KP-US KOMPACT 110V 60Hz 20 $1545.00 $33990.00 $592.59 $30,900.00

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition.

N/A. Full and Open Competition will be utilized. This document meets the regulatory requirement at DFARS 206.302-1(c)(2) to execute the justification and approval addressed at FAR 6.302-1 to use Ebac dehumidifiers.

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

Controlled by: DON, USMC, I&L HCA Controlled by: Contract Support Management Office, Blount Island Command, Jacksonville, Florida CUI Category(ies): PROCURE Limited Dissemination Control: DL ONLY POC: William Fish, 904-696-5229, Navy Branch, Blount Island Command

CUI//SP-PROCURE//DL ONLY

Ebac Industrial Products, Inc., manufactures industrial strength dehumidifiers that are currently outfitted on 104 MPF watercraft. The Government has approximately 654 of these models actively employed across the entire MPF fleet. It is critical to continue the procurement of Ebac dehumidifiers to provide standardization and continuity of same systems. Maintaining consistency will not only allow part support between units but will mitigate training on a new product and minimizing the supply chain logistics trail of multiple manufacturers.

MPF ships with embarked watercraft are pre-positioned OCONUS for three (3+) years at a time and it is important that the same, proven equipment with interchangeable parts is used, especially in isolated locations where MPF ships are positioned, and commercial shipping is not readily available to support repair parts or replacement units.

Ebac dehumidifiers have proven effective the last ten years in servicing watercraft with minimal failures compared to other less robust and unproven systems. They are durable and reliable with a lifetime of 6-10 years compared to 2-3 years with other brands.

Low cost, plastic units were tried and have caused two (2) fires within INLS craft in the last two years due to the inability to operate reliably in extreme environmental conditions, which in turn cost the Government time and money.

An award of Ebac NEPTUNE 110V 60Hz and KOMPACT 110V 60Hz dehumidifiers will be of significant benefit to the Government by mitigating fire risk associated with other manufacturers brands.

6. Description of Efforts Made to Solicit Offers from as Many Offerors as Practicable.

Market research was conducted in accordance with FAR Part 10 and revealed that there are multiple vendors in the commercial market capable of providing the required supplies. A small business sources sought was posted 3 September 2024 and nine responses have been received expressing interest. The proposed contract was synopsized on the SAM website on 3 September 2024, and provided notice of the Government’s intent to utilize brand name or equal descriptions.

Five vendors expressed an interest in the requirement. No vendors expressed any concern with the use of brand name or equal descriptions. No additional market research was conducted because it is not practicable or in the Government’s best interest, for the reasons discussed in paragraph 5, for the Government to write its requirement without the use of brand name or equal descriptions.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

The Contracting Officer has determined that the anticipated cost to the Government of the supplies/services covered by this J&A will be fair and reasonable through competitive procedures.

It is anticipated the Government will receive two or more offers.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

CUI//SP-PROCURE//DL ONLY

For the reasons set forth in Paragraph 5, the activity has no plans at this time to eliminate the use of Ebac dehumidifiers from future solicitations for the types of supplies/services covered by this document; however, this will be reassessed during follow-on acquisition planning.

CUI//SP-PROCURE//DL ONLY

CERTIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL

TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance which are included in this Justification and its supporting acquisition planning documents, except as noted herein are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

FISH.WILLIAM.BEGENT.1027302480

William Fish 904 696-5229 _NT.1027302480

Signature Name (Printed) Phone No. Date

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW

I have determined that this Justification is legally sufficient.

Date: 2024.09.09 15:01:16 -04'00'

TURNER.JOHN.P Digitally signed by

TURNER.JOHN.PAUL.1190354365

AUL.1190354365 Date: 2024.09.10 09:29:42 -04'00' John Turner 904 696-5033

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION

I certify that this Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Digitally signed by

SANDERS.STANLEY.G.JR.106850606

.G.JR.1068506065 5

Date: 2024.09.11 13:31:09 -04'00' Stanley G. Sanders Jr. 904 696-4812

COMPETITION ADVOCATE APPROVAL

Upon the basis of the above justification, I hereby approve as Competition Advocate, the solicitation of the proposed procurement(s) described herein using brand name or equal descriptions or proprietary specifications and standards.

Christopher C. Carlson 229- 639-6573

Distribution List for DL ONLY Limited Dissemination Control

• MCFCS Personnel

• LB Personnel

SANDERS.STANLEY

CUI//SP-PROCURE//DL ONLY

• Procurement Team Personnel (to include but not limited to: Legal, Customers/Requirements Owners, Source Selection Personnel, Small Business Representatives)

• Any other individual designated by the KO