Redacted_J&A_Expansion_Joint.docx

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR

OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

N32205-18-Q-4189

1. Contracting Activity: Department of the Navy, Military Sealift Command Norfolk (MSC).

2. Description of Action Being Approved: Award of a firm-fixed price contract on a brand name basis for this one-time procurement of 12” Expansion Joint Assembly, Stainless Steel, Double Braided and Flanged, manufactured by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Hose Master, Inc. or its authorized distributors for the USNS HERSHEL WILLIAMS (ESD-4).

3. Description of Supplies/Services: This requirement covers the procurement of 12” Expansion Joint Assembly required for the Firemain System onboard USNS HERSHEL WILLIAMS (ESD-4).

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Full and Open Competition: The statutory authority for this procurement is as implemented by FAR Part 13.501, Title 41 U.S.C 1901 Test Program for Certain Commercial Items. Section 815 of the National Defense Authorization Act makes the authority permanent.

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority:

The criticality of the Firemain System and the complexity of the system demands that MSC adhere to its requirement to purchase OEM brand name 12” Expansion Joint Assembly, Stainless Steel, Double Braided and Flanged, to reduce the risk of failure or impeded operation of the Firemain System. This specific expansion loop assembly was designed for the sister ship, USNS LEWIS B. PULLER (T-ESB 3) to account for the flex of piping underneath the flight deck. This technical risk can be broken down into four subparts: potential for disruption to the ship’s mission support operating schedule; potential for increased costs for emergency overhaul; potential for degradation in performance through a partial or complete failure of the component; potential to cause harm to the crew or the environment.

Hose Master Inc. owns proprietary drawings, technical manuals and design information for this equipment and does not sell directly to the Government. Western Hose and Gasket Inc. is one of its distributors. This procurement is necessary during vessel’s next Post Shakedown Availability (PSA) in FY-19 to replace the existing equipment.

6. Description of Efforts Made to Solicit Offers from as Many Offerors as Practicable: In accordance with FAR 5.201(b)(1), the Government intends to issue a synopsis on FEDBIZOPPS website on a brand name basis for ship’s requirement.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost: The Contracting Officer has determined the anticipated cost to the Government of the supplies/services covered by this J&A will be fair and reasonable pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 13.106-3.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition: There has been no specific action planned to overcome barriers to competition in subsequent procurements, other than synopsizing the requirement. Recent Market Surveys conducted have indicated that Western Hose and Gasket Inc. is an authorized distributor and the only qualified source for the OEM parts. The OEM parts are mission-critical and the use of other than OEM parts would threaten the safe operation of the critical systems installed onboard the vessel. If another potential source other than Hose Master Inc. brand name emerges, MSC Norfolk will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.