JZRR-144 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 Jones Zylon JZRR-144 Food Carts

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

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 JZRR-144 Refrigerated/Refrigerated Carts. 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 carts capable of maintaining refrigerated temperatures during transport.

• Item: JonesZylon JZRR-144 Refrigerated/Refrigerated Cart

• Quantity: 3 Units

• Total Estimated Value: $48,586.98 (inclusive of all transport hardware, safety upgrades, and FOB destination freight costs).

• Essential Features: 18-gauge stainless steel construction, 16-gauge base frame, universal slides optimized to securely lock a capacity of 144 to 360 specialized correctional segregation trays, top-mounted refrigeration, 120V electrical architecture, 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 JZRR-144 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 JZRR-144 features highly specialized tamper-proof security fasteners, ground/polished welds, a heavy-duty 12-gauge lockable transport latch, and protected temperature panels with sliding locking covers. These elements prevent inmates from removing pieces of the equipment to fabricate weapons or hidden contraband compartments.

• Compatibility with Existing Fleet Trays: FCC Yazoo City currently utilizes an established network of JonesZylon 9000, 5000, and 4000 series segregation trays. The interior rail spacing (4.5") on the JZRR-144 is specifically engineered to interface directly with these high-density tray models without sliding or spills during multi-terrain yard movements. Sourcing alternative generic brands would lead to improper tray nesting, introducing food safety hazards (spill/cross-contamination) and systemic security vulnerabilities.

• Facility Infrastructure Constraints: The physical dimensions (76.00” H × 62.25” W ×

31.75” D) and power parameters (120V / 13.3 Amps) exactly match the existing secure sally-port clearance doors and electrical terminal configurations currently mapped inside the FCC Yazoo City kitchen footprint. Larger or alternative power configurations would necessitate 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 12-gauge security lock hardware, tamper-resistant paneling covers, and exact pre-engineered internal sliding dimensions needed to house the facility's existing inventory of specialized segregation 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 $48,586.98.

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 segregation tray ecosystem without compromising institutional safety, future requirements will be opened 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: 7/28/2026

U. S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons