JOFOC.pdf

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition Western Area Power Administration

FAR 13.5, Simplified Acquisitions for Certain Commercial Items

Contract # 89503218CWA000013

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), Rocky Mountain Region (RMR) J1500, 5555 E.

Crossroads Blvd., Loveland, CO 80538.

2. The nature and/or description of the action being approved.

This will be a negotiated, sole source, firm fixed-price contract.

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs.

Professional, experienced and qualified non-personal support services are required for the identification and removal of “hazardous vegetation” from WAPA RMR’s transmission line Rights of Way (ROWs).

The services necessary are performed under and around high voltage energized transmission and distribution lines (voltages up to 500 kV) and energized transmission and distribution facilities. The work sites can potentially jeopardize personal and public safety and power system stability. Due to the potential hazards, contractor personnel possess highly specialized training and have knowledge of the various procedures and government standards that pertain to these critical services.

4. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(2), unusual and compelling urgency.

5. A statement demonstrating the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the action requiring the use of the authority.

The proposed contractor, Vegetation Management West (VMW), 38700 French Field Way, Crawford, CO 81415, has extensive knowledge and expertise with the RMR power system and has provided the same services to WAPA for seven years. VMW’s experience with WAPA processes, procedures, and their adherence to all pertinent regulations regarding vegetation removal is proven, effective, and reliable. Additionally, VMW’s experience working on WAPA RMR transmission lines across multiple geographic areas including forested public lands to urban neighborhoods possess the essential expertise to execute the projects immediately, efficiently and effectively. VMW’s experience and past performance in providing these essential and critical services is extremely important in order to quickly and efficiently identify and remove the “hazardous vegetation” in the affected areas to avoid safety and compliance issues while maintaining crucial landowner/land manager relationships and implementation of the WAPA RMR vegetation program to comply with NERC FAC-003-4.