FedBizopps_AG-6395-B-14-0050_JOFOC_.pdf

JOFOC AG-6395-B-14-0050

USDA, APHIS, MARKETING AND REGULATORY SERVICES

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(JOFOC)

In accordance with the authority granted under FAR Part 13, this request for a noncompetitive acquisition is hereby submitted for consideration for acquisition approval.

IDENTIFICATION OF THE AGENCY AND THE CONTRACTING

ACTIVITY:

Requesting Agency:

USDA GIPSA FGIS

1025 East Main St. Suite 104 League City, TX 77573

Contracting Activity:

USDA, APHIS, MRPBS, ASD

Minneapolis Procurement Branch Butler Square, Fifth Floor 100 North 6th Street Minneapolis, MN 55403

NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING

APPROVED:

These bulbs and ballasts will be placed in 7 different grain grading labs in the League City Circuit. The approved lighting is currently listed in the FGIS Equipment Handbook, in the Approved Equipment List -A - active commercially available items.

Agency required lighting for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Federal Grain Inspection Services (USDA / FGIS) Sites

A DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, OR SERVICES

REQUIRED TO MEET AGENCY NEEDS (INCLUDING THE ESTIMATED

VALUE OF THE ACQUISITION INCLUSIVE OF OPTIONS):

These bulbs are a 48 inch in length medium base bi pin florescent tubes. They may be either size of T-12 orT-8. These bulbs emit a light that is indicative to the north light. This type of lighting is required as per FGIS Equipment Handbook, Chapter 3, page 3-1 section la. The type of light that emits this artificial light must meet FGIS guidelines as stated in Equipment Handbook, Chapter 3, section 1a, 1b.

These bulbs have been purchased on an as needed basis either through field office or by using a purchase order. The lighting fixtures are repaired by either replacing the number of tubes needed to make them meet the range of 150 - 200 foot candles. 180 foot candles is the optimum.

Qty Description

120 F40T12 Colour master 75 70 F32T8 Colour master 75 40 2 bulb T12 electronic ballast -

B234SR120M

12 2 bulb T8 HBF Electronic ballast -

QHE2X32T8UNVISH

10 4 bulb T8 HBF Electronic ballast -

QHE4X32T8UNVISH

IDENTIFICATION OF THE STATUATORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING

NONCOMPETITIVE ACQUISITIONS:

The statutory authority is 41 U.S.C. 253( c )(1)

FAR 6.302-1

The property or services needed by the executive agency are available from only one responsible source and no other type of property or services will satisfy the needs of the executive agency

In accordance with the FGIS Equipment Handbook Chapter 3 10-04-1996

LIGHTING

a. General. The true color of a material or substance is best determined under natural daylight conditions, such as north-sky light on a semi-overcast day, or under artificial light in a room with muted tones. Since it is impossible to maintain natural lighting in a laboratory throughout any given day, artificial illumination that simulates north-sky daylight is essential.

For official purposes, only use artificial lights that are:

(1) A type and model approved by FGIS;

(2) Maintained in good operating condition; and

(3) Tested in accordance with section 1.e.

b. Specifications.

(1) Illumination- 150 - 200 foot candles (180 optimum).

(flux density)

(2) Diffusers- Non-color selective glass or plastic. Polarized diffusers are acceptable.

(3) Reflectors- Heat-resistant, nonyellowing, white enamel or highly polished metal.

(4) Emitters- Fluorescent emitters of a type and model approved by FGIS. (See list of approved equipment.)

Table 1, Fluorescent Emitter Specifications Lamp Radiation: 2000 to 2499 Lumens Color Rendering Index > 92

Color Temperature 7500 K Rated Average Life > 15,000 Hours

OR

Lamp Radiation: > 2500 Lumens Color Rendering Index >87

Color Temperature 7500 K Rated Average Life > 12,000 Hours

A DEMONSTRATION THAT THE PROPOSED CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE

QUALIFICATIONS OR THE NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES

USE OF THE AUTHORITY CITED:

There are only 2 approved suppliers of T-8's - General Electric and H & H Lighting. When you look at the quality of the GE's the lasting value is very short and the light will change color very quickly thus reducing the foot candles. The H & H will warranty their bulbs for 3 years. The color change will be a very small amount.

Another known vendor only supplies T - 12' s but the ballast would need to be changed out.

You can only use T- 12 bulbs with T-12 ballast and T·B bulbs with T-8 bulbs. Changing out the ballast for the T-12's would be an additional cost for the agency to bear which is not practical or affordable.

A DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS ARE

SOLICITED FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS IS

PRACTICABLE, INCLUDING WHETHER A NOTICE WAS, OR WILL BE,

PUBLICIZED AS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION

(FAR) SUBPART 5.2, AND IF NOT, WHICH EXCEPTION UNDER FAR 5.202

APPLIES:

Fedbiz RFI # USDA-GIPSA-FGIS-PR-14-653914 published 12/05/2013 and closed on 12/19/2013 yeilded only one other vendor offering Alternate products made in China.

This solicitation was in accordance with FAR Clauses 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside and 52.225-1 Buy American Act—Supplies

Fedbizopps Special Notice PR-APHIS-14-653914, published 1/22/2014 and closed on 2/24/2014 yielded no qualified interested vendors.