P03 Brand Name Justification - Burlodge Cargo and Retrieval Carts_Redacted.pdf

Last Updated: 02/01/22 Page 1 of 2

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification for Single Source Awards IAW FAR 13.106-1 For

Over Micro-Purchase Threshold but Not Exceeding the SAT ($250K)

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C244-23-AP-0441

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 4, Network Contracting Office 4, Commodities 1, 1601 Kirkwood Hwy, Wilmington, DE 19805. Purchase Request # 642-23-1-315- 0002.

2. Brief Description of Supplies/Services required and the intended use/Estimated Amount: The

Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veteran Affairs Medical Center (CMC VAMC), 3900 Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104 has a new Brand Name Only requirement for ten (10) Burlodge Brand Cargo Carts (Model BSC-3030-60) and fifteen (15) Burlodge Brand Retrieval Carts (Model B420-1323-20-5).

The cargo and retrieval carts will be utilized by the medical center’s Nutrition and Foodservice in the preparation and distribution of meals to veterans in the Main Medical Center and the Community Living Center. The estimated value of this procurement action is .

3. Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one source, with the reason no other supplies or services can be used: The medical center’s existing food preparation equipment installed last year for the Cook-Serve system was manufactured by Burlodge at a cost of approximately $530,000.00. The Nutrition and Food Service Department explored the possibility of using a different brand of cargo and retrieval carts, however it was discovered that the existing kitchen ware would not be compatible with any brand other than Burlodge. Using carts that are not Burlodge would allow food trays, fruits, vegetables and noursihments to slide around and not stay contained in the cart. This would result in products being damaged and food products from patient meal trays spilling out onto other trays and items in the cart and possibly on to the floors causing safety hazards. This is especially a problem when transporting the carts to the Community Living Center, located across the street, in the box truck. In addition to the safety hazard resulting from products that spill on the floor in the hallways, if foods spills over onto other patient meal trays this could result in a patient receiving a meal tray with food items that are not suitable for their prescribed diet.

The Burlodge Carts are specifically designed to hold trays and kitchen wares of specific dimensions designed by Burlodge. A different brand of cargo and retrieval cart would require the purchase of duplicate kitchen ware to use in the non-Burlodge carts, and those kitchen wares would not work in the Burlodge Cook-Serve System equipment currently in stock. Purchasing a brand other than Burlodge would be a wasteful duplication of existing equipment and poor use of tax payer dollars that could be better used to provide nutritious meals to veterans.

4. Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted:

Market research was conducted to determine which vendors could possibly provide the required Burlodge Cargo and Retrieval Carts to the CMC VAMC. Quotes were received from two vendors for the purchase of the name brand Burlodge Cargo and Retrieval Carts. No other manufacturer’s kitchen ware is compatible with the Burlodge Meal Delivery system. The brand name product

Last Updated: 02/01/22 Page 2 of 2

(Burlodge) is required but the solicitation would be available to as many vendors as can provide the Burlodge product specified in the Statement of Need.

5. Contracting Officer's Certification: Purchase is approved in accordance with FAR13.106-1(b). I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer