Justification For Brand-Name Items (REDACTED)_Redacted.pdf

CUI

Control Number: NWK 23-02

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

JUSTIFICATION FOR USE OF BRAND-NAME ITEMS

IAW FAR 16.505(a)(4)

Renovate Building 52, Kansas Air National Guard McConnell AFB, Wichita Kansas

1. Identification of Agency and Contracting Activity:

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Northwestern Division (NWD), Kansas City District (NWK), has been tasked to support the Kansas Air National Guard (ANG), McConnell Air Force Base (AFB) in Wichita Kansas.

2. Description of Action:

Approval is requested to use brand-name items for a portion of the renovation and additions to Building 52 on McConnell AFB for issuance of a new task order.

The design-bid-build procurement will be solicited and procured as new firm-fixed-price task order through providing fair opportunity to all Small Business MATOC contractors under contract numbers W912DQ22D4000 through W912DQ22D4005. This construction project includes the complete renovation of building 52, a 9,100 square foot single story building, with two new additions to building 52, a new facility roof, HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, electrical system, and telecommunications system throughout the facility. The estimated period of performance for all work under the awarded contract is 365 calendar days. This procurement is funded with FY23 Sustainment, Restoration, and Maintenance one-year funding classified as Construction. The estimated total renovation cost for this procurement is .

3. Description of Supplies/Services:

The identified brand/manufacturer named items are required to maintain the base security alarm system standard, the fire alarm system standard, utility meter reading standard, and the direct digital controls system standard. Table 1 below identifies the manufacturer/brand-name items’ salient characteristics and/or specifications and approximate cost. The estimated total value of identified items covered by this justification is .

Table 1: Manufacturer/Brand Name Item Manufacturer/Item Specifications Price Advantor Alarm System

This is the security alarm system for the base and each alarmed facility must report to the base defense head-in equipment which is also an these new components must be compatible and easily maintainable by the limited support staff of State Employees

b. Justification:

Advantor has been identified and certified at the DoD Security Systems Facility, Test Site at McConnell AFB as the developer and sole provider for the proprietary hardware currently installed at McConnell AFB. The Advantor Suite for Networks (ANS) is one of only three Intrusions Detection Systems (IDS) approved by Air Force Security Forces to be employed for protection of AF Protection Level resources and is the only system currently deployed to McConnell AFB. The Advantor equipment is a proprietary system and operates via an inherent secure protocol through Advantor.

The Notifier Fire Alarm System devices that are to be installed as part of this project represent an extension of the existing Fire Alarm System at our facility.

As such, each new device must tie into and communicate with the existing Fire Alarm System, which is manufactured by Honeywell. Each device in a Fire Alarm System, whether it is a smoke detector or supervisory switch, constantly communicates with the front end of the fire alarm system. This allows the system to monitor each and every device, so that it cannot only receive alarms, but also can detect failures of the device as well – which is a critical element in any fire alarm system. In addition, the software allows for a graphics package, which displays the floor plans of the entire facility depicting each and every fire alarm device. This allows for fast response in any alarm situation, as the system can tell Fire Fighters and Security Forces the exact location of the device in alarm.

Software conflicts would make it difficult to impossible for devices by another manufacturer to communicate with the existing Honeywell System.

The EcoStruxure Power Monitoring System and EcoStruxure Building Operation Work Station HVAC DDC by Schneider Electric are existing power monitoring systems installed at McConnell AFB. Air National Guard Engineering Technical Letter (ANG ETL) 15-01-04 stipulates requirements for a single base wide Utility Monintoring & controls System (UMCS) for utility monitoring and any new system or major upgrades of an existing system to be fully integrated and fully compatible with the base wide UMCS. The EcoStruxure Power Monitoring System and EcoStruxure Building Operation Work Station HVAC DDC by Schneider Electric are fully compliant with US Department of Defense Information Assurance Risk Management Framework (DIARMF) Category 1 vulnerability to meet the project Cybersecurity requirements. No other systems meet DIARMF category 1 vulnerabilities while remaining fully compatible with Schneider Electric EcoStruxure. This systems must operate as a wholly integrated system to ensure a reliable operation with regard to (1) critical equipment, (2) safety alerts, (3) security notifications, and (4) data collection of emergency events and transfer to the data collector. The integrated UMCS must be able to fully coordinate, monitor and alarm any inconsistencies from a common command/viewpoint and initiation request in the event an anti-terrorism threat occurs on site which requires immediate annunciation and shutdown of outside air intakes, etc.

c. Alternatives: The market research conducted showed that no other source is authorized for license, maintenance, or technical support of these proprietary products (Advantor Alarm System, Notifier Fire Alarm System by Honeywell, EcoStruxure Power Management and Building Operation Work Station).

d. Impact: Failure to approve the justification for use of brand-name items outlined herein would negatively impact the overall operations of the Kansas ANG at McConnell AFB. It would add unnecessary maintenance, software purchases, and training costs in excess of $100,000 to the ANG and the State of Kansas. If these brand-name items are not used, the interface with the existing systems will not be compatible and cause security, HVAC, and electrical meter reading data recording issues. Security for the weapons vault will be jeopardized and potentially lead to the theft of military grade weapons. Other HVAC controls would not be capable of being controlled by the existing EcoStruxure software causing sever inefficiencies in the HVAC system and degrading the State Employees ability to trouble shoot and maintain the building HVAC.

5. Contracting Officer Determination of Fair and Reasonableness: see signature page.

6. Other Facts Supporting the Justification: All brand-name components identified herein tie into existing infrastructure supported by the base. Other products are not acceptable. Market research resulted in a current notice posted on SAM.gov (W50S6M-23-B-0001) for the 117 ARW Security and Services Training Facility that lists Advantor as the Air Force/NGB certified security system. A Sole Source Justification and Approval (36C250-20-AP-3683) for the Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 10, Network Contracting Office with a similar requirement stated The Notifier Fire Alarm System and all associated equipment are required by NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm Code). “Notifier” is the existing fire alarm system in the hospital, and only parts, software and firmware from the same manufacturer will work with the system. The Mississippi Air National Guard Combat Readiness Training Center (MS ANG CRTC) Posted a Sole Source Justification and Approval (W50S7K-21-R-0008JA) on SAM.gov for construction services to upgrade the Direct Digital Control (DCC) System Base Wide. Highlighting that the removal of the brand names entirely would be a injustice to both customer and supplier, and would not be cost effective. The DDC system would have to be replaced in its entirety should another contractor with a different manufacturer be awarded the effort.

7. Statement of the action(s) to remove or overcome barriers that led to use of brand-name item(s): While the use of brand-name items is required to approved for an estimated total of , a portion of the overall acquisition.