Memorandum_for_Record-MICC-Fort_Drum_-_ITAM_backhoe_-_final_signed.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

HEADQUARTERS, NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER & FORT IRWIN

FORT IRWIN, CA 92310-5000

AFZJ-PT 11 February 2019

MEMORANDUM FOR MICC-Fort Drum

SUBJECT: Caterpillar Backhoe Brand Name Exact Match FedBid Buy #964241

1. The NTC G3 ITAM Office requires replacement of a 2005 backhoe in order to comply with the State of California regulations regarding engine emission standards. Currently, G3 ITAM possesses a number of Caterpillar items that include the backhoe to be replaced and associated attachments (roller, broom, forks, etc). It is critical that the replacement backhoe is a Caterpillar Brand in order to maintain compatibility with existing attachments. It will fulfill the minimum essential needs of the government as part of a presently owned system of heavy equipment.

2. Heavy equipment technicians have confirmed that hydraulic systems and coupling mechanisms are not compatible between Caterpillar and other brands of heavy equipment. A backhoe of a different brand will not match the hydraulics and coupling mechanism of the attachments that we currently have, and consequently all new attachments would have to be purchased. This will incur additional costs.

3. It is in the government’s best interest to purchase a Caterpillar brand replacement backhoe and be able to immediately use all of the existing attachments. It is not in the government’s interest to have to replace all of the attachments in addition to the backhoe.

4. For the reasons listed above, the NTC G3 ITAM Office requests a brand name purchase for the replacement backhoe.

5. If there are any questions, please contact the undersigned at 760-380-3169.

2/11/2019

X R uth S parks

S ig n ed b y: SPAR KS .R U TH .E LAINE .1267671075

RUTH E. SPARKS

NTC, G3 ITAM Coordinator

Thomas J. Brown Contracting Officer