LSJ_Redacted.pdf

LSJ Number: 24-250-0002

2Source Selection Information – See FAR 2.101 and 3.104 feature, do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the agency’s needs”.

CNRSW Fed Fire is responsible for installation fire safety operations throughout San Diego, Ventura, China Lake, Seal Beach, Fallbrook, Corona, Monterey, El Centro, Lemoore, and Fallon, NV. The Scott X3 SCBA Pack is used by Fire Fighters during fire related emergencies. It allows them to breath clean air under hazardous conditions keeping them safe from smoke &/or caustic fumes. In accordance with the Government Requirements SCBAs must be compliant with the National Fire Protection Association and NIOSH 42 CFR. The SCBA lifespan is linked to it’s ability to pass a POSICHEK test for pressurization. This test ensures the Fire Fighter has clean air to breath while fighting fires. The current SCBAs have been continuously in use for over 15 years and are beginning to fail this test. Due to cost limitations, NRSW F&ES is unable to procure all the SCBA packs required at one time.

The SCOTT SCBA is utilized by all NRSW fire stations Fed Fire personnel across the nation.

The product requested is a direct replacement for out-dated and/or damaged equipment that is eyond economical repair. Federal Fire Fighters utilize this equipment regularly. Uniform firefighting equipment is essential because it allows firefighters to easily switch or share gear in emergencies; it also allows to quickly replace damaged or malfunctioning equipment; and in large-scale incidents, resources can be pooled. Having uniform firefighting equipment contributes to safety of the firefighters by reducing risk of confusion and errors caused by unfamiliarity with each other’s gear. Fed Fire personnel are issued customized fitted Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that include a set of turnouts, a SCOTT SCBA Pack, two breathing cylinders, a face mask and two regulators. If Fed Fire personnel are transferred to a different installation, they must bring their issued set of turnouts and face masks because they are customized and fitted to each individual fire fighter. The SCBA Packs are serialized and must remain at the installation they are assigned to but will be reissued an SCBA upon arrival at their new duty station. The masks that NRSW Fed Fire Personnel are currently issued and fitted with are not interchangeable and cannot be modified to fit different manufacturers equipment due to the concerns described above. Additional market research was conducted by reaching out to industry subject matter experts offering other branded SCBAs such as Bauer, MSA, and Honeywell. Industry provided information stating that in accordance with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 42 CFR 84, it is prohibited to use a different manufacturers respiratory component on another manufacturers respirator. If that is done, the assembly is not considered an approved NIOSH assembly. SCBA Equipment must be utilized with the same branded components. Since the masks and respirators that are currently fitted and issued to Fed Fire Personnel are manufactured by 3M SCOTT, the SCBAs procured must be 3M SCOTT branded as well. Any deviation from the current product, or introduction of a new brand, would be costly, require additional training causing delays in mission fulfillment and Federal Fire Fighters are specifically trained to utilize this equipment and any deviation or introduction of a new brand would degrade and delay the Fed Fire personnel's current level of readiness

Purchasing 50 non-SCOTT SCBAs would create the need to replace the entire fleets of SCBAs

3Source Selection Information – See FAR 2.101 and 3.104

Other available brands are not interchangeable and therefore repairs, parts, or maintenance services would require a duplication of materials, and maintenance contracts, and training for fire personnel, which would delay readiness given the degraded existing inventory. It would be cost prohibitive to introduce a new brand to our Region.

As a result for the reasons described above, SCOTT SCBA is essential to the government’s requirements and market research indicates that no other brands’ similar products meet, or can be modified to meet, the agency’s needs.

5. DETERMINATION OF THE BEST VALUE: GSA has determined the prices of supplies, of the schedule contracts to be fair and reasonable for the purpose of establishing the schedule contract. Therefore, ordering activities are not required to make a separate determination of fair and reasonable pricing for individual orders. However, per Class Deviation 2014-O0011 provides that GSA’s price reasonableness determination does not relieve the ordering activity contracting officer from the responsibility of making a determination of fair reasonable pricing for individual FSS orders, BPAs, and orders under BPAs, using the proposal analysis techniques at FAR 15.404-1. As such, the contracting officer will determine that prices are fair and reasonable using the procedures in FAR 15.404-1, and will document such determination with a level of detail commensurate with the complexity and circumstances of each order.

DESCRIPTION OF MARKET RESEARCH: The requiring activity and contracting activity have conducted market research among schedule holders. 3M SCOTT SAFETY/SCOTT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. is the only brand that is capable of meeting all the requirements stated above and as presented in the Statement of Work. 3M SCOTT SAFETY/SCOTT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Does have authorized resellers capable of providing this equipment.

Although market research indicates other companies have similar products, the government currently has 3M SCOTT SAFETY products at various CNRSW installations. Purchasing additional equipment from 3M SCOTT SAFETY will ensure that all equipment is compatible with the existing equipment.

4Source Selection Information – See FAR 2.101 and 3.104

The above vendors confirmed and provided information stating that in accordance with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 42 CFR 84, it is prohibited to use a different manufacturers respiratory component on another manufacturer’s respirator. If that is done, the assembly is not considered an approved NIOSH assembly. SCBA Equipment must be utilized with the same branded components. Since the masks and respirators that are currently fitted and issued to Fed Fire Personnel are manufactured by 3M SCOTT, the SCBAs procured must be 3M SCOTT branded as well. Any deviation from the current product, or introduction of a new brand, would be costly, require additional training causing delays for the reasoning above, in mission fulfillment and Federal Fire Fighters are specifically trained to utilize this equipment and any deviation or introduction of a new brand would degrade and delay the Fed Fire personnel's current level of readiness As a result for the reasons described above, SCOTT SCBA is essential to the government’s requirements and market research indicates that no other brands’ similar products meet, or can be modified to meet, the agency’s needs.

7. ACTIONS TAKEN TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO COMPETITION: Prior to future procurements, market research will be conducted to identify if there are other companies whose products meet, or can be modified to meet the government’s minimum needs. If so, the procurement will then be subject to full and open competition.

8. CONTRACTING POINT OF CONTACT: The point of contact at NAVSUP, FLC San Diego is Jheanna Poblete, Code 250, at (619) 556-5361 or by e-mail at jheanna.u.poblete.civ@us.navy.mil.

5Source Selection Information – See FAR 2.101 and 3.104