Lee JA 2021_14 REDACTED.pdf

Control No: Lee-2021-1 Program: Caterpillar Engine Training MICC Control No: 2021-14

Version – March 2017 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

FAR Subpart 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items – Brand-Name Justification

1. Contracting Activity: U.S. Army, Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) – Fort Lee, 1830 Quartermaster Road, Bldg. 7124, Fort Lee, VA 23801-1205

2. Description of Action: The Army Logistics University, Technical Logistic College requests to use a brand name specification requirement for certified Caterpillar instructors in the solicitation of a single award Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a responsible contractor to provide engine maintenance training.

The Government projects an award with an order period from 1 January 2021 through 31 December 2023. Operations and Maintenance, Army (OMA) funds current at the time of award will be used for the guaranteed minimum and on task orders awarded under the contract. The minimum guarantee amount shall be funded with FY21 OMA funds. An acquisition plan is not required because this procurement does not meet the threshold at DFARS 207.103(d)(i)(B).

3. Description of Supplies/Services: As part of the Automotive Maintenance Warrant Officer Basic Course 915A, students are required to complete a module on “Administer Engine Maintenance.” The Government requires that certified Caterpillar instructors provide training for Caterpillar engine models C7, C9, C12, C13, Cl5, Advance Combustion Emission Reduction (ACERT) which are utilized in military tactical vehicles. Training modules include Advanced Engine Troubleshooting Diagnostics, Maintenance, Use of Schematics and Wiring Diagrams. In addition, training is provided for electronic technicians, and emissions control for select systems. The contractor will be required to provide training at the contractor facility by incorporating classroom and hands on practical exercises for up to 12 students per instructor. 96 hours of classroom presentations and hands-on lab exercises must be provided on the following:

• Electronics troubleshooting, electrical schematics, Caterpillar Electronic

Technician (ET), ECM's and Datalinks.

• Engine Performance (HEUI & EUil) systems and functionality, fuel systems, service guidelines and troubleshooting procedures.

• Engine Repair testing and adjusting, R&I components, measurements.

• Basic hydraulic review for schematics and symbols.

Classes will be 8am-4pm Monday through Friday for two consecutive weeks.

Electronic copies of course materials and information shall be provided, in addition to use of training laptops in conjunction with Caterpillar software and hands-on labs.

Contractor shall present a Caterpillar certification at the end of course to students who successfully pass all written and hands-on testing.

The anticipated 3 Year Ordering Period is from 1 January 2021 through 31 December 2023.

The Maximum Value of the single-award IDIQ contract shall be:

Minimum guarantee to satisfy binding requirements as specified in FAR 16.504(a)(2) is $20,000.00.

4. Authority Cited: Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items, 41 U.S.C.

1901 as implemented by FAR Subpart 13.5: Brand-name and no other services will satisfy agency

5. Reason for Authority Cited:

a. Engine Maintenance Training by certified Caterpillar instructors is necessary for students of the Automotive Maintenance Warrant Officer Basic Course 915A to graduate the course, obtain proficiency in their military occupational specialty.

b. Engine Maintenance Training in Advanced Engine Troubleshooting Diagnostics, Maintenance, and Use of Schematics and Wiring Diagrams, including emissions and electronic technician training, by certified Caterpillar instructors is required as part of the Program of Instruction (POI) Module E within the 915A Warrant Officer Basic Course, to include receipt of a training certificate upon successful completion of the training in order to meet civilian equivalent credentials.

c. Engine Maintenance Training by a certified Caterpillar instructor is necessary for Automotive Maintenance Warrant Officers to perform their military duties.

Caterpillar engine models C7, C9, C12, C13, Cl5, Advanced Combustion Emission Reduction Technology (ACERT) are utilized in military tactical vehicles. Automotive Maintenance Warrant Officers must be knowledgeable in the use, maintenance, repair, and testing of these engines. Training must be provided by a certified Caterpillar instructor in order for students to gain access to original equipment manufacturer proprietary technical data and training materials. In addition, Caterpillar certified trainers are able to teach the proper use of diagnostic proprietary software CAT ET (Electronic Technician). This software, when connected to the Electronic Control Module (ECM) of Caterpillar equipment, is able to provide diagnostic codes, disassembly instructions, calibration requirements, and logged machine information. It is vital that students receive this training as it is used in the field to provide the Army with troubleshooting and repair. Army Learning Model (ALM) 2015 initiative and Leader Development Training substantiated the needs to have warrant officers attend specialized technical training that is only taught by Caterpillar OEM certified instructors on advanced diagnostics and repair of Caterpillar ACERT Tier III engines. The current instruction at Caterpillar reduces the Army's long term reliance on contracted logistics support in the field. Training and certifying to industry standard is how we build, enhance, and sustain technical depth in Ordnance Warrant Officers.

d. In accordance with Army Regulation (AR 350-1), Army centers/schools that provide training are required to consider collaboration with public and private institutions and industry partners in order to align institutional training to nationally recognized standards whenever possible in order to support the Army Credentialing Program. This is because occupational credentials play an important role in professionalizing the Force and in enhancing a Service member’s ability to transition to the civilian workforce upon completion of military service.

e. Alternatives: There is no substitution for the training by a certified Caterpillar instructor for the Warrant Officer Basic Course (WOBC) 915A. Caterpillar certified instructors provide unique proprietary training and certifications, thus allowing Warrant Officers to be trained on our tactical vehicle engines. This training provides the students access to proprietary technical data and training materials that are not normally available to the Government, and results in a nationally recognized credential.

f. Impact if justification not approved: If this J&A is not approved, the Technical

Logistics College will not be able to provide students with the training and certification necessary to perform the skillsets needed to complete the 915A Warrant Officer Basic Course and perform the duties as required of an Automotive Maintenance Warrant Officer. Not having Warrant Officers who have the necessary skills to troubleshoot and repair engines leaves soldiers vulnerable while in the field.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: A Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS) was posted on 30 September 20 to the Government wide point of entry (GPE) to assess any change in the commercial market place from the previous ordering vehicle. In response, MICC-Fort Lee received one additional interested party than the incumbent contractor.

Carter Machinery Co Inc. is the Caterpillar dealership for Virginia which currently provides the Warrant Officer Program trainers at their Mechanicsville, VA facility.

Carter Machinery responded in the affirmative to support MICC-Fort Lee as a prime contractor, is able to provide the training services, course schedules, and student levels as required by the requiring activity. While Carter Machinery is also a large business like the current incumbent, MICC-Fort Lee has competition available in-lieu of previous sole-sourced actions.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: Future requirements of this same nature will demand market research to determine if brand-name services are still needed to support the customer’s program. Changing industry standards, or evolved commercial marketplace solutions will be engaged with the customer to see if further competition may be achieved.

8. Market Research: Market research was conducted between March and October 2020 to identify all qualified sources. The research was conducted via Internet by accessing various websites and gathering information relating to engine training. The research conducted resulted in two possible sources that can offer the required brand-name certified trainers for engine training, Caterpillar Inc. and Carter Machinery, which is a franchise of Carter, Inc. The engines within the Tactical Vehicles of the U.S. Army are Caterpillar engines. Training and certification is required in order for the

Government to steer away from reliance on solely Contractor Logistical Support.

Caterpillar’s engine training specific information is proprietary, thus only a Caterpillar certified instructor can provide the needed training. However, the Government was able to ascertain competition, as Caterpillar certifies trainers for other firms.

In accordance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 205.205-71, DFARS 206.302-1(d), and DFARS Procedures, Guidance and Information (PGI) 206.302-1(d), the SSS was posted to beta.Sam.gov website on 30 September 2020 for 15 days; one (1) capability statement was received in response to the notice.

Carter Machinery responded with the statement of interest, and capabilities to provide the required services. Carter Machinery is the local authorized Caterpillar dealer/trainer which has been previously subcontracted by Caterpillar Inc. to provide the training at their facility in Mechanicsville, VA. In telephone discussions with the firm, Carter Machinery is willing to provide a quote for a competitive acquisition with MICC Fort Lee.

9. Interested Sources:

a. Caterpillar Inc., 14009 Old Galena Rd., Mossville, IL61552

b. Carter Machinery, 208 Caterpillar Dr, La Crosse, VA23950

10. Other Supporting Facts:

a. Procurement History:

Agreement number: W91QF5-19-A-0001 Contractor: Caterpillar Inc.

Method of procurement: Sole Source Delivery vehicle: Single Award BPA Firm Fixed Price Period of performance: 1 December 2018 to 30 November 2020 Total awarded amount: $409,680.00 Number of option periods: Two (2) Year Ordering Period Number of Offerors: One Basis for fair and reasonable pricing: IGCE and Historical Prices Paid

Agreement number: W91QF5-18-A-0001

Method of procurement: Full & Open (FAR 13) Delivery vehicle: Single Award BPA Firm Fixed Price Period of performance: 20 November 2017 to 19 November 2018 Total awarded amount: $148,932.00 Number of option periods: None

Contract number: W91QF5-16-P-0063

Method of procurement: Sole Source Contract type: Firm Fixed Price Period of performance: 30 August 2016 through 29 August 2017 Total awarded amount: $183,408.32 Number of option periods: None