DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL FACILITIES ENGINEERING SYSTEMS COMMAND, MID-ATLANTIC

9324 VIRGINIA AVENUE

NORFOLK VIRGINIA 23511-3095

J&A No. ML 26-27

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JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity.

The contracting activity Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Mid-Atlantic

(NAVFAC MIDLANT).

2. Description of the Action Being Approved.

This Justification & Approval (J&A) authorized the use of brand name specifications for specific electric food service equipment (dishwashers, pot & pan washers, and steam kettles) to be included in the plans and specifications for construction project Bldg 7122, Replace Galley Steam Equipment, Naval Station Great Lakes, IL.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

The intent of the construction project is to remove the steam boiler system and replace the antiquated steam-powered galley equipment and systems with electric-powered galley equipment. The existing electrical service will be verified for sufficient capacity and upgraded or reconfigured as necessary.

The solicitation will include brand name specifications for electric food service equipment (dishwashers, pot & pan washers, and steam kettles) to ensure operational continuity and safety as detailed below:

(1) Insinger Dishwasher, Model Super 106 RPW: Automatic Three Tank Rack Conveyor Dishwasher with Blower Dryer (480V, 3-Phase).

(1) Insinger Pot & Pan Washer, Model DA3: Automatic Pot & Pan Washer (480V, 3- Phase).

(1) Vulcan Steam Kettle, Model K40EL: 40-gallon, electric, floor-mounted stationary kettle (480V, 3-Phase).

(2) Vulcan N Steam Kettles, Model K60EL: 60-gallon, electric, floor-mounted stationary kettles (480V, 3-Phase).

This acquisition will solicit proposals for a task order award to contractors under the existing Mechanical-Electrical-Plumbing-Fire Protection MACC. The estimated value of the work included in the construction solicitation is approximately $1.2 million of which $400,00 is

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estimated for the brand name electric food service equipment. The project will be funded by FY26 Operations & Maintenance, Navy (O&M,N) funds. The work under this contract is required to be completed within 365 days after award.

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

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is Title 10 United States Code Section 3204(a)(1), as implemented by the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) 6.103-1 – “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.”

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

This acquisition is essential to the Government's requirements to standardize equipment across galley facilities, prevent unacceptable operational disruption, and ensure interoperability with the existing inventory of parts, maintenance knowledge and staff familiarity. This equipment must be a direct fit for existing facility footprints and utility connections, with the exception of the specified electrical requirements in order to limit down time.

Standardization with Insinger and Vulcan electric equipment is essential for mission success and fiscal prudence. Approximately 80% of the galleys at Great Lakes currently utilize Insinger and Vulcan equipment. This has created a standardized ecosystem where:

Maintenance is provided by Goodwill under an Ability One service contract. Personnel are fully trained and proficient in the repair and maintenance of Insinger equipment.

A significant inventory of Insinger spare parts is already stocked, ensuring high uptime and rapid repairs.

Streamlined Training Processes: Standardized equipment eliminates the need for separate or customized training sessions for each galley. Staff only need to learn one set of operating procedures, allowing training teams to focus on mastery rather than variation.

This reduces onboarding time and ensures consistent skill development across locations.

Improved Skill Transferability: When equipment layouts, controls, and functionality are uniform, staff can move between galleys without requiring additional orientation. This improves workforce flexibility and strengthens overall operational resilience.

Reduced Operational Errors: Inconsistencies in equipment can lead to confusion, misuse, or mistakes. Standardization helps reinforce correct techniques and reduces the likelihood of operational errors. Staff become more confident and precise, improving safety and efficiency in the scullery.

Enhanced Consistency in Cleaning Standards: With identical equipment, staff apply the same cleaning methods and workflows across all galleys, ensuring consistent sanitation standards. This is especially critical in high-volume operations where compliance and food safety cannot be compromised.

Introducing a different brand or type of equipment would cause unacceptable disruption and costs. A recent pilot program to convert galleys 7113 and 7114 to gas appliances from a different manufacturer (Hobart) resulted in significant failures as detailed in paragraph 6 below.

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Safety & Installation Failure: Improper installation led to galley shutdowns and created a hazardous work environment due to excessive heat from exhaust systems.

Operational Inefficiency: The provided pot & pan machine was undersized for the required capacity, increasing labor hours.

Poor Reliability & Cost: The Hobart gas appliances were unreliable, frequently tripping safety mechanisms and halting all dishwashing operations. Furthermore, parts for these units are more expensive and often sole-sourced, and the manufacturer was unwilling to provide the necessary training or maintenance manuals to the galley team.

The pilot demonstrated that gas appliances exhibited significant failures in safety, reliability, and operational efficiency. The results demonstrated that the alternative solution introduced unacceptable operational, financial, and safety risks. Proceeding with any equipment other than the specified Insinger and Vulcan models would replicate these failures, jeopardizing galley operations and incurring unnecessary risk and cost.

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

A sources sought notice was posted on SAM.gov on February 12, 2026, with a closing date of February 28, 2026. Contractors were required to submit the Contractor Information Form and a Capabilties Statement with their response. One response was received from Great Lakes West, however the firm only submitted the Contractor Information Form with minimal information:

firm name, address, POC, and bonding capacity. Verbal communication was initiated with the POC provided, resulting in a non-guarantee that their equipment would be compatible with the existing equipment.

A solicitation notice will be publicized on SAM.gov, in accordance with the requirements of RFO Part 5. The approved J&A will also be made publicly available as required by RFO 6.301.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

The Contracting Officer will determine that the price for this acquisition is fair and reasonable in accordance with RFO Part 15 prior to contract award. Analysis will be performed by one or more of the following techniques: (1) Comparison of proposed prices received in response to the RFP;

(2) Comparison of proposed prices with the Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE); (3) Comparison of proposed prices with available historical information; and/or (4) Comparison of market survey results. The fair and reasonable determination will be made based on the total price of the project. The brand name items are not an individual line-item price in the solicitation.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

For the reasons set forth in Paragraph 5, NAVFAC MIDLANT has no plans at this time to compete future contracts for the types of supplies/services covered by this document. If another potential source emerges, NAVFAC MIDLANT will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

*Signature page redacted for posting