Exception_to_Fair_Opportunity.pdf

Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity or to Use Brand-Name Restriction

Security Marking (select from the drop-down list)

November 2018 Security Marking (select from the drop-down list) Page 1 of 3

Is this a brand-name justification? Yes No Please provide the product title and description. [ FAR16.505(a)(4)(i) ]

Brand-Name Product Title: Zebra

Brand-Name Product Description: Zebra barcode labelers, labels, and ribbons.

Is this a Bridge Action as defined in the AF Bridge Action Reduction Plan? Yes No

Contracting Activity: USAF HQ ACC AMIC/PKAB

Purchase Request / Local ID Number:

Program Name (and Program Element, if applicable):

Estimated Cost/Price of the Order (including options): $480,000.00

Type Program (see AFFARS 5302.101 for definitions): PEO Program Other Contracting

Type of D etermination: Individual Class Expires: [ click and select ]

Click here for instructions to complete the boxes below.

(1) Contracting Activity:

USAF HQ Air Combat Command Acquisition Management & Integration Center/ PKAB Joint Base Langley-Eustis VA

(2) Nature and/or description of the action being approved:

To meet specific barcode and system requirements, A4LW directs users to purchase the following labelers, ribbons, and labels.

(3) Description of the supplies/services required to meet the agency's needs:

ACC A4LW requires the following items to be purchased for use at 88 bases to include both CONUS and OCONUS locations.

Asset Model -- Part Number

1. Zebra ZD420 (QTY 522) -- ZD42042-T01E00GA

2. 5095 resin cartridge (QTY 2124) -- 05095CT11007

3. Orange 4”x2” Zebra Ultimate 4000T label (QTY 224) -- S459223/01

4. White 4”x2” Zebra Polypro 3000T label (QTY 3176) -- S459205/01

5. White 4”x4” Zebra Polypro 3000T label (QTY 3092) -- S459208/01

(4) Justification for restricting consideration to a brand-name item:

Actual performance testing disclosed that Zebra labels outperform non-brand-name labels in adhesiveness, durability, longevity, and quality. These labels have been used on munitions for than a decade by manufacturers as well as field level users while performing exceptionally well across the globe in all environments where munitions may be stored.

These specific label requirements are not new and are routinely used throughout the munitions and logistics communities. With proven effectiveness throughout the wide array of environments where our munitions are stored and

Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity or to Use Brand-Name Restriction

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November 2018 Security Marking (select from the drop-down list) Page 2 of 2 utilized, we owe it to the 10,270 field level users to continue using quality products.

The aforementioned Zebra labelers have also been tested and proven compatible with TICMS (the Air Force's future Munitions Accountable Property System of Record) that is expected to transition to field use in the next four to six months. Other labelers do not have the proven compatibility with this software and purchasing alternative products increases risk to incompatability and waste of government funds.

(5) Contracting Officer's determination that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable:

This requirement will be posted to the NETCENTS-2 Products, mandatory IT contracting vehicle for competition between vendors on a Zebra brand-name basis.

(6) Other facts supporting the justification:

N/A

(7) Actions the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to decreasing the use of brand-name items before any subsequent acquisition of the supplies or services:

ACC A4 will continue to look out for new and emerging substitute products with the reliability/durability and cost effectiveness of the current Zebra items.

(8) Program Manager's certification that supporting data is accurate and complete:

As evidenced by my signature below, I certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my responsibility, is both accurate and complete.

(9) Contracting Officer's certification that the justification is accurate and complete:

As evidenced by my signature below, I certify that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

(10) Approving Official's determination that FAR16.505(a)(4)(i) applies to the order:

As evidenced by my signature below, I hereby determine that the use of brand-name restriction applies.

Date Contracting Officer Mr. Steven F. Pillo

USAF HQ ACC AMIC/PKAB

Signature

31 Jan 19