NWW_JA Sole Source Determination ABB-Hitachi Bushings_Signed_Print_Redacted.pdf

This is a Justification and Approval (J&A) document for a non-competitive procurement by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Walla Walla District. The procurement involves purchasing spare transformers with Hitachi brand high-voltage, neutral, and low-voltage bushings for the Lower Snake River (LSR) hydroelectric powerhouses, specifically for three T1 and T2 transformer banks. The total contract value is estimated at $1,691,335.30, with the government not directly purchasing brand-name supplies but including the brand name requirement in a larger competitive solicitation (W912EF25RA003) using Bonneville Power Administration funds.

The J&A cites 10 U.S.C. §3204(a)(1) as the authority for sole sourcing, noting that no viable alternatives exist to specifying Hitachi bushings. The procurement aims to ensure quick transformer replacement in case of failure, with the bushings being essential to maintaining existing electrical system compatibility. A special notice was posted on an industry day, and market research confirmed no alternative sources. The document indicates that Hitachi (formerly ABB/Westinghouse) has been the sole supplier of these bushings to USACE for the past 16 years, and the procurement will be competed with the specific Hitachi bushing requirement to minimize potential disruptions to power generation.