JA_Breakers_20260608_Redacted.pdf

Control Number: FY26-15 increasing system latency and the risk of protective device failure during a 24kV surge event.

• SCADA integration and Communication Protocols: The MVS within each substation must communicate flawlessly with the Base Main Electrical Controller a core component of the SCADA system centralized at the Main Electrical Shop and the

Control Room (CEP - Bldg. 55 DD). This master controller utilizes a proprietary communication protocol. To ensure mission integrity, the expansion and upgrading of this system must utilize MVS control equipment from the original manufacturer.

. Replacing existing ABB units with another brand would require a complete overhaul of the communication protocols and wiring logic currently managed by the facility's SCADA and ABB

Ability™ platform.

• Preservation of Infrastructure (Footprint): All electrical substations within the installation require specialized high-voltage equipment, hereafter referred to as

Medium Voltage Switchgear (MVS). These substations are integral components of the base’s overarching electrical grid, which is architecturally organized into two primary distribution loops: the North Ring and the South Ring. The current MVS infrastructure is comprised of ABB equipment, installed during the original construction of the facility approximately 14 years ago. Consequently, any expansion, modification, or replacement of these substations necessitates the utilization of identical components to ensure technical continuity. ABB’s UniSec and

UniGear switchgear (CLINs 0001.1–0001.6) are engineered to match the footprint and operation of the installed base. Per ABB’s technical data, their modernization solutions ensure that bus bars and power cables remain intact, eliminating the need for expensive civil works or rerouting of high-voltage (HV) cables. A different manufacturer’s switchgear would require cost prohibitive structural modifications to the substation compartments.

• Functional Synergy and Operational Continuity: The new MVS must achieve seamless, end-to-end integration with the existing electrical ecosystem. This ensures that new switchgear and breakers operate as a single, unified entity, providing secure and unfailing power distribution to mission-critical facilities.

Furthermore, the base’s electrical team possesses extensive, specialized training on these specific ABB MVS platforms. Their profound understanding of the complex controls and functionalities allows for immediate-response capabilities. In the event

Control Number: FY26-15 of power outages or power quality anomalies, this in-house expertise is the primary safeguard for rapid troubleshooting and the restoration of power at both the substation and installation-wide levels.

• Impact on Mission Support and Operational Risks: The introduction of MVS equipment from alternative manufacturers resulting in a fragmented or "mixed" hardware environment—would have a detrimental impact on mission support across several critical domains:

• Personnel Readiness: Electricians would require exhaustive, high-cost training on multiple new platforms.

• System Latency: The base-wide SCADA system might suffer from interoperability friction, compromising smooth operations.

• Response Time: Potential power outages and recovery delays would be significantly exacerbated, directly threatening mission availability.

• Logistical Burden: The government would be forced to procure, warehouse, and maintain an entirely new inventory of emergency spare parts.

• Fiscal Impact: There would be a substantial and unnecessary increase in maintenance, equipment, and labor costs.

For the reasons set forth in Paragraph 5, other than full and open competition is in the government’s best interest. For the critical reasons detailed above, adhering to a brand-name requirement rather than a full and open competition is demonstrably in the best interest of the Government, ensuring the safety, resilience, and operational readiness of the USAG Italy mission.

All new MV switchgear acquisitions must be fully compatible and utilize the same communication protocols as the existing ABB Electrical Distribution System (EDS) to ensure maximum system reliability and infrastructure resilience. This EDS is currently covered by an Authority to Operate (ATO), as required for Industrial Control Systems (ICS) to certify cybersecurity compliance. This ATO explicitly defines the authorized equipment permitted to operate on the EDS, including controllers, PLCs, and relays situated within the electrical substations.

Due to the requirement for these systems to maintain constant interconnectivity including during out-of-tolerance electrical conditions via a dedicated fiber optic EDS network, the use of ABB MV switchgear and breakers is mandatory. All communication protocols (IEC 61850) and Human-Machine Interface (HMI) firmware across all relays, MGCs, and PLCs must be