JOFOC_-_El_Capitan_Bridge_Scour_System_Repairs_1.pdf

JUSTIFICATION & APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

for SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS OVER $10,000 ($2,000/$2500 for Construction/Services) AND

UP TO $250,000

(See FAR 13.106-1)

Date: _December 13, 2023___________ PR Number: _ 40645919_____________

1. Nature and/or description of the item/service being procured and its intended use (include the anticipated cost):

The existing scour monitoring station on the El Capitan Bridge in Yosemite National Park is currently nonoperational. The multiple atmospheric river events in the Park caused the existing station to become inundated with water and thus caused the failure of the existing battery, data logger, communication module, modem, etc. It should also be known that the existing enclosure that protects these components also needs to be replaced, given how badly it leaks. Therefore, the Park is trying to get this enclosure and the devices inside the enclosure repaired asap. This monitoring station is a critical need for the Park given it monitors scour around the pier foundations at one of the most heavily traveled bridges in Yosemite National Park.

2. Sole Source Justification rationale (Check one and explain below):

______ Only one responsible source.

___X__ Urgent and compelling circumstances exist. Include critical delivery or performance dates, and when you became aware of the requirement. Provide a specific statement of the impact on Government operations, financial or otherwise, if the required delivery or performance dates are not met.

______ Other _____________________________________________________

Explain: This existing monitoring system needs to be repaired asap so it is operational by the commencement of the upcoming Merced River highwater period, which is estimated to begin no later than April 30, 2024. The park became aware that the monitoring system was inoperable in April of 2023, however at that time we did not know the repair needs were so urgent. Then on November 9, 2023 the Park was notified that a recent FHWA underwater inspection discovered that the erosion under the central bridge piers had accelerated dramatically, with up to 16-ft. deep erosion below the pier foundations._So at this point it became a very urgent need to get this monitoring system repaired asap, to help ensure the safety of the millions of visitors, residents and employees who travel over this bridge annually and thousands daily. This bridge is susceptible to immediate failure during a highwater event, so by repairing the existing scour monitoring system it will provide an advance warning to the park and allow time for the park staff to mobilize onsite and close the bridge, prior to an accident or fatality. The scale of financial impacts to an unplanned closure or failure of this bridge would be astronomical, given it is one of the primary crossover roads in Yosemite Valley and would add an additional 7-miles of distance and anywhere from 30-min to hours of additional travel time to all visitors, residents and employees during peak traffic. But the main urgency is safety, so by completing the repairs asap, would allow it to be completed prior the more erosive river flows and it would allow more time for the park to respond and close the bridge prior to a partial or complete bridge failure, which could cause an almost immediate serious or fatal accident.

3. Market Research. Please explain the results or why one was not performed. State whether any other offers were received or anyone expressed interest:

Market Research was not completed due to the urgent and compelling need, which are the safety concerns and lack of time. In addition, the park communication staff who typically works on and repairs various electronic monitoring systems throughout the Park inspected this system, however they noted that this is a very specific and unique monitoring system that they are completely unfamiliar with and that it is very specific to this bridge. The existing data loggers and communication module are very robust devices that are designed to communicate remotely with the existing bridge sensors and the specific TriLynx command center. These damaged digital components, such as the data loggers, communication modules, voltages regulators, etc. are also tied to the existing manual flotation devices which during extreme erosion events these devices will float up to the water surface and help provide advance warning to Park staff. But all these various digital and manual components were specifically designed for the existing and specific river conditions and specific structural design and conditions of the bridge. So, there is not adequate time in trying to get quotes from multiple firms or vendors for such a very controlled and secure monitoring system which is designed specifically for this bridge. The concerns with bringing out the nearest expert on digital control systems, or the time required to bring out the low bid firm will only delay the repair and increase the safety risks. Each firm unfamiliar with this system, will still need to contact the original designer-fabricator-installer, so they can then get the necessary components and training they would need to repair the existing monitoring system. The other concern is that even if they were to somehow complete the onsite repairs, they will have no idea how the system should communicate with the remote command center, nor would they have the authorization to send a signal to this command center. So given all the additional time and costs that would be required for an alternative vendor to complete these repairs, it is hereby recommended that the repairs be completed by Water and Earth Technologies. Because of their experience with this system, they have the ability to quickly complete the repairs and ensure the system is operational and remotely communicating with the command center prior to the high river flows, which ultimately reduces the safety risk.

JUSTIFICATION & APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

for SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS OVER $10,000 ($2,000/$2500 for Construction/Services) AND

UP TO $250,000

(See FAR 13.106-1)

PR Number _40645919_____________

4. If this is a determination for sole source, the contracting officer certifies:

a. Only one source is available, or urgent and compelling circumstances exist.

b. The anticipated price will be determined fair and reasonable using the price analysis techniques described in FAR Part 13.106-3(a).

(Signature) _______________________________________ (Date)__________________________

Type or Print Name: __________________________________________ Title: Project Officer

(Signature) _______________________________________ (Date) ___________________________

Type or Print Name: __________________________________________ Contracting Officer

Over $25,000:(if applicable)

(Signature) _______________________________________ (Date) ______________________

Warranted Individual 1 Level Above Contracting Officer

Michael Pieper

Timothy D. Modjeski

12-19-23

12-20-2023