JZH-198 Justification Memo.pdf

U. S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons

Federal Correctional Complex P.O. Box 5666 Yazoo City, Mississippi 39194

July 27, 2026

MEMORANDUM FOR PROCUREMENT

FROM: S. Morris, Complex Food Service Administrator

SUBJECT: Brand Name Justification for JonesZylon JZH-198 Heated Cabinets (with removable heater)

1. Requiring Agency and Contracting Activity

• Agency: Department of Justice (DOJ) / Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)

• Contracting Activity: Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) Yazoo City, Warehouse/Food Service Department, 2225 Haley Barbour Pkwy, Yazoo City, MS

39194.

• Notice ID / Solicitation Number: 072826-1

2. Description of Action Being Approved

This action is a new Firm-Fixed-Price purchase order for the acquisition of three (3) brand-name unique JonesZylon JZH-198 Heated Cabinets (with removable heater).

This requirement will be posted as a 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside via SAM.gov.

3. Description of Supplies or Services Required

The FCC Yazoo City Food Service Department requires three (3) commercial-grade, secure meal delivery cabinets capable of maintaining safe, heated food-holding temperatures during internal transit, with the ability to convert into an ambient cart.

• Item: JonesZylon JZH-198 Heated Cabinet (with removable heater)

• Quantity: 3 Units

• Total Estimated Value: $30,039.75 (inclusive of all transport hardware, institutional safety configurations, and FOB destination freight costs).

• Essential Features: 18-gauge stainless steel construction, 16-gauge base frame with reinforced cross channels, fixed internal utility slide rails optimized to secure up to 360 segregation trays, side-mount removable heating assembly utilizing a 1700 Watt configuration (120V / 14.2A), and comprehensive secure tamper-proof fasteners.

4. Authority Permitting Restricting to a Brand Name Only

This acquisition is conducted under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures of FAR Part

13 and is restricted to a brand name product under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1):

"Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available

(e.g., source controls a brand name patent)."

5. Rationale Supporting the Brand Name Only Requirement

The JonesZylon JZH-198 is specifically manufactured to meet the rigorous safety and spatial needs of a high-security Federal Bureau of Prisons facility:

• Institutional Security & Contra-Band Defenses: The JZH-198 features highly specialized tamper-resistant screws and cord, ground/polished welds, a heavy-duty 12-gauge lockable stainless steel transport latch, and protected temperature controls. These elements prevent inmates from removing pieces of equipment to fabrications of weapons or hidden contraband compartments.

• Compatibility with Existing Fleet Trays: FCC Yazoo City currently utilizes an established network of specialized high-density segregation trays. The interior rail spacing on the JZH-198 is explicitly pre-engineered to interface directly with the facility's existing 9000, 5000, and 4000 series tray models to prevent sliding, shifting, or spills during multi-terrain yard movements across the compound. Sourcing alternative generic brands introduces structural mismatching, introducing food safety hazards

(spill/cross-contamination) and systemic security vulnerabilities.

• Facility Infrastructure Constraints: The physical footprint (64.50" H x 46.00" W x

31.75" D) and electrical parameters (1700 Watts / 14.2 Amps) exactly match the existing secure sally-port clearance doors and electrical terminal configurations currently mapped inside the FCC Yazoo City footprint. Alternative power configurations or higher wattages would overload current infrastructure circuits, necessitating costly construction changes or electrical modifications.

6. Market Research Conducted

Market research was conducted in July 2026. This process included reviewing specifications from alternative kitchen utility manufacturers (such as Cres Cor and

Carter-Hoffmann). While those manufacturers create commercial food service holding boxes, they do not feature the integrated combination of specialized safety latch hardware, tamper-resistant paneling covers, and exact pre-engineered internal sliding dimensions needed to house the facility's existing inventory of specialized trays without custom re-tooling.

Research indicates that although the item is restricted to a brand-name format, multiple authorized small business distributors exist, ensuring healthy price competition via a

100% Small Business Set-Aside on SAM.gov.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost

In accordance with FAR 13.106-3(a), the Contracting Officer will ensure the final price is fair and reasonable through price competition among multiple authorized small-business vendors submitting quotes on SAM.gov. Historical pricing for similar secure carts, independent government cost estimates (IGCE), and the manufacturer’s commercial price list will be utilized to evaluate the final proposed package against the baseline value of $30,039.75.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Competition in the Future

The Food Service and Procurement Departments will continue to monitor the correctional food service market for new technological designs. If another manufacturing vendor develops an identical, high-security cart capable of universally anchoring the specialized tray ecosystem and matching the 1700 W infrastructure limits without compromising institutional safety, future requirements will be opened up to full "or equal" parameters.

Certifications & Approvals

Technical / Requiring Official Certification:

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance, which are included in this justification, are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Name: S. Morris

Title: Food Service Administrator

Date: 7/27/2026

Contracting Officer Certification & Approval:

Pursuant to FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), I have determined that the circumstances of this acquisition action deem only this brand name reasonably available. I hereby certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Name: C. Tate

Title: Supervisory Contract Specialist

Date: July 28, 2026

U. S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons