Sole_Source_Justification_for_Integrated_Power_Systems.pdf

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition – FAR Part 13 Acquisitions under the SAT

V 1.3 (28 June 2018)

MEMORANDUM TO THE FILE

Subj: JUSTIFICATION FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

FOR A FAR PART 13 ACQUISITION UNDER THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

THRESHOLD

I. BACKGROUND:

1. FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) states for purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, 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., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name or industrial mobilization).

2. As required by FAR 13.106-3(b)(3)(i), this memorandum explains the absence of competition for this acquisition, as only one source will be solicited for this requirement (or for a portion of the requirement) and the requirement (or portion of the requirement to be sole-sourced) is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

II. DESCRIPTION OF ITEM OR SERVICE:

This purchase is for Integrated Power System which will be used to provide battery backup power to telephone switches in the Weapons & Field Training Battalion (WFTBn) and Facilities

Maintenance Division (FMD) Areas on the Depot. The cost for each backup power system is

$13,231.80 each, and 2 systems are required to support WFTBn and FMD for a combined total of

$26,463.60 .

These integrated power systems will ensure all telephone services, in particular E911 services always remain operational, even during frequent power surges and outages experienced on the

Depot. Currently, WFTBn has no generator and the existing battery backup power system in place will no longer hold sufficient DC energy to keep telecommunications service operational. This requires technicians to physically go on-site after every power surge or outage to restore services, which is mostly problematic after hours and on weekends when personnel are not immediately on call. When that happens all telephone serves are lost beginning at the Child Development Center, down to every indoor and outdoor phone near the ranges. The telephone switch located in building

864, supporting the FMD area will soon be moved in preparation for the demolition of building 864 and will require the same battery backup power system to mitigate lack of a permanent generator large enough to maintain services operational until technicians can arrive on-site. The Fire

Department and PMO currently tie into the telephone switch at building 864, so it is imperative to provide an optimal backup power solution to maintain continuous services for first responders on the Depot.

These integrated power systems incorporate all components in one single package to transfer power between AC and DC power sources, maintain telecommunications services online at all times.

III. THE DETERMINATION FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

IS BASED ON THE FOLLOWING (select all that apply):

A. XX ONLY ONE RESPONSIBLE SOURCE (select all that apply):

1. ___ RESTRICTIVE RIGHTS. The source has established proprietary rights, limited rights in data, patent rights, copyrights or secret processes in the item or service required. N/A

2. ___ EXCLUSIVE LICENSING AGREEMENTS. The item or service is only available from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), or there is only one authorized distributor or technical representative for the OEM. N/A

3. XX OTHER REASONS. After researching other DC battery backup power system providers (Walker & Associates (from North Carolina), Graybar, and Anixter), no single vendor could provide a fully integrated battery backup power system that included on the necessary components without outsourcing to other vendors. Vertiv was frequently identified by a few vendors as able to meet our system requirements in one fully integrated power system designed to work with all other incorporated parts. Because our telecommunications switch technician has worked with the existing Vertiv battery backup power system for many years now, the Depot is able to save an estimated $20,000 in safe de-installation and reinstallation costs for new backup power systems. Existing personnel also have more knowledge on these components which will save the government further costs in the future when modifying or moving these systems to different facilities. Existing backup power solutions at different areas on the Depot were piecemealed with components from different vendors and have led to frequent problems or additional unforeseen requirements to buy additional components to mitigate integration issues, interference, or other unknown issues wasting valuable man hours in troubleshooting. Vertiv’s integrated power solution avoids all of that by providing a single incorporated system with components specifically designed to function together. The current battery backup system utilized in the Depot’s Central Office, where the main telephone switch operates utilizes the same components, from the same vendor identified in this sole source justification. When the contract was previously awarded to install that system, no single vendor except for Vertiv

(operated under name Emerson at the time) could provide all the components in one single package, so the vendor that was awarded that contract outsourced the equipment requirements to Emerson at the time and they did the installation. By sourcing this Vertiv system, the government will also save money in having additional backup components on hand for a different system, allowing backup components to be on hand for the Depot Central Office and other telephone switches around the Depot.

B. ___ BRAND NAME

Item required must be a brand name, product, or feature of a product, particular to one manufacturer. N/A

C. ___URGENT AND COMPELLING. The supplies or services are of such unusual and compelling urgency that the Government would be seriously injured unless the agency is permitted to limit the number of sources from which it solicits bids or proposals. Urgent requirements are supplies or services that will result in a work stoppage, or are mission critical and the routine processing time would result in injury to the Government. The determination that the procurement for the above item/service is an urgent and compelling requirement is based on the following:

1. Date on which the requirement was first identified:

2. Required delivery date/period of performance:

3. Explanation of why delivery/commencement of services by the date mentioned above is required: N/A

4. If appropriate, include any additional pertinent information.

V. CERTIFICATIONS:

A. Technical / Requirements Certification: I certify that the facts and representation under my cognizance which are included in this justification are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signature Name (Printed) / Phone # Date

B. Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signature Name (Printed) / Phone # Date