M26-218 Bauer Rebuild Kit - Brand Name Justification_Redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

HEADQUARTERS AIR FORCE SUSTAINMENT CENTER (AFMC)

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE OKLAHOMA

3 September 2026

TO: AFSC/PZIM

FROM: OC-ALC/OBCA for 76 MXSG

SUBJECT: Brand Name Justification for Bauer Rebuild Kit

1. The 76TH MXSG is requesting the utilization of funds to purchase one (1) Bauer Rebuild Kit.

2. The requiring activity requests the purchase of a Bauer Rebuilt Kit manufactured exclusively by Bauer Compressors, Inc. This kit is required to perform critical life-cycle maintenance on a $459,000 Bauer medium-pressure compressor. This asset has been in service for 18 years and is an asset directly supporting fuel component test stands for critical weapon systems, including the B-1, B-52, E-3, and F-16. Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts are strictly required to ensure mission capability, safety, and equipment preservation. System Compatibility & Tolerances: The existing asset is a proprietary Bauer medium-pressure compressor. Bauer's PM kits contain components (e.g., specialized valves, seals, and filtration elements) that are engineered to exact OEM tolerances. Using aftermarket or third-party components risks improper seating and mechanical misalignment, which can lead to rapid system degradation.

Safety Requirements: Medium-pressure air compressors operate under immense stress. Given the compressor is 18 years old, introducing non-OEM parts introduces unacceptable safety risks, including the potential for catastrophic explosive failure, which could result in severe personnel injury or damage to government property. Bauer OEM parts are tested and certified to handle the specific thermal and pressure loads of this system. Operational Readiness & Cost Avoidance: Attempting to source, test, and verify third-party maintenance parts for an 18-year-old system would incur significant administrative costs, delays, and unacceptable mission downtime. Procuring the Bauer-branded PM kit ensures immediate interoperability and restores the system to manufacturer operational standards without requiring extensive recalibration.

3. Using alternative brands or piecemeal aftermarket parts fails to meet government safety and system integrity requirements. Based on the safety risks, technical tolerances, and the proprietary nature of the existing 18-year-old equipment, Bauer is the only manufacturer whose maintenance kit can fulfill the government's need. Therefore, it is requested that Bauer equipment is procured to meet all the requirements of the program office and subsequently the warfighters.

4. Market research was conducted to identify qualified sources capable of providing a Brand Name purchase of one

(1) Bauer Rebuild Kit. This requirement is structured as a commodity purchase. A review of small businesses to include 8(a), HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business, and Women Owned Small Business was conducted in search of a company that could provide Bauer Rebuild Kit using the Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS). An email inquiry was sent to 3 companies listed, resulting in 0 responses. Further research indicates that North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Product Service Code 333912 (Air and Gas Compressor Manufacturing) and FSC 4310 (Compressor and Vacuum Pumps) are the most appropriate codes for this acquisition.

The requesting customer provided an initial Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) from Bauer Compressors, the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). In addition, market research was conducted using GENAI.MIL which provided a list of authorized distributors, which yielded two (2) ROMs from August Industries LLC and Sub- Aquatics, Inc dba Breathing Air Systems. The customer's technical team has fully reviewed and validated the ROM to ensure their proposed systems meet the Government's requirements. In review, there are multiple sources that can satisfy this commodity requirement for this acquisition.

5. For further information or clarification please contact / OC-ALC/OBCA,

6. I have determined, in accordance with RFO 12.102(a), that the circumstances of this contract action deem a specific brand name to be required.

AFSC/PZIM OC-ALC/OBCA