Redacted Limited Source Justification GSA Troop Carrier.pdf

Page 1 of 3 ACC-WRN FT 4276, 14 FEB 2018 Previous Edition is Obsolete

CMO Control Number: 2020-105

Department of the Army Limited Source Justification

For GSA Purchases above the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

1. Contracting Activity: The United States Army Contracting Command-Detroit Arsenal (ACC- DTA) is the procuring activity for this action.

2. Description of Action: ACC-DTA intends to award a new firm-fixed price delivery order against General Services Administration (GSA) multiple award schedule, category 336IV, contract 47QMCA19D000HT with Lifeline Mobile, Inc., using FY19 Other Procurement Army (OPA) funds.

3. Description of the Supply or Service Purchased: The proposed contract action is to procure a quantity of six (6) 80-seat semitrailer vans – also known as troop carriers - which are capable of safely transporting up to 80 seated United States (US) Army personnel (trainees) to and from their training sites . The troop carrier provides sufficient storage for each trainee’s ruck sack and contains stainless steel with fiberglass inserts seats, rugged flooring, and a climate controlled system (heating and air conditioning). The troop carrier also provides the drill instructor/sergeant with a public address system and communication capability with the tractor truck driver. The estimated total dollar value of this delivery order is $4,412,328.00, which includes a base quantity of six units (valued at $2,206,164.00) and an option to purchase an additional quantity of six units (valued at $2,206,164.00).

4. Authority Cited: 40 U.S.C. 501 and FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(B), Limited Sources Justification and Approval “Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized”.

5. Reason for Authority Cited:

The Army has a unique requirement to transport large numbers of passengers and their equipment to conduct training of new service members. GSA awarded a contract to Lifeline Mobile, Inc. in 2000 to build a prototype troop carrier semitrailer that would serve as replacement to the (then) existing “cattle car” trailers that required trainees to stand shoulder-to-shoulder during transport. Lifeline’s troop carrier was tested and was determined to have met Government requirements. It also passed a safety assessment review by TACOM. Subsequent delivery orders resulted in the purchase of a total of 19 troop carriers from Lifeline from 2000 through 2017. The last purchase occurred in 2018 for a quantity of seven via delivery order W56HZV-18-F-0095; this was a limited source buy and supported by a Limited Source Justification. In total, 26 troop carriers have been delivered to the Army by Lifeline Mobile, Inc. These troop carriers were proven to be safe, reliable, and supportable at their current locations at .

The main alternative to a troop carrier semitrailer is to lease multiple 44-passenger buses and hire bus drivers to transport trainees. This is the method used most commonly – hiring, renting, leasing buses for short term requirements to move large numbers of people - but it is more costly to operate two buses for every troop carrier over the long term. The Army's mission requirement to train and transport trainees is enduring. The 80 passenger size enables units to be moved together as one, further enabling accountability and oversight of the trainees by the drill instructor/sergeant.

OPSEC

OPSEC

Page 2 of 3 ACC-WRN FT 4276, 14 FEB 2018 Previous Edition is Obsolete

Lifeline was originally awarded a contract to build the troop carrier vehicle for Army requirements in 2000. The contract was the result of a competitive acquisition process, which resulted in a contract awarded by GSA to Lifeline Mobile, Inc. Lifeline subsequently added the troop carrier to their GSA schedule contract to facilitate additional delivery orders.

6. Market Research: GSA schedule 23V (Automotive Superstore) was examined, specifically categories 190 05 (Special Vocation Vehicles and Attachments), 023 101 (Trailers and Attachments), and 272 105 (New Technologies). Under category 190 05, Africa Automotive Distribution Services offers a Jeep J8 Troop Carrier, but it is built on a Jeep J8 chassis (2-door SUV) and is not comparable to the 80-passenger requirement. None of the other categories contained any products offered that provided for large numbers of personnel transport. A search of the GSA MAS, category 336IV did include “troop transport” in the category description. All 36 contractors were examined under this category for their catalog offerings.

Lifeline was the only contractor offering an 80- passenger semitrailer vehicle. The price was $371,407.95 per vehicle, with a 1% per vehicle discount for an additional quantity of one, with a 240 day production and delivery time. Lifeline is listed on the schedule as a small business.

Three other contractors under this category offer vehicles that transport people or troops.

Master’s Transportation Inc. offers personnel transport vehicles but with the largest capacity being a large-size bus that seats 55 passengers. It is manufactured by Motor Coach. Global Automotive, Inc. offers a troop transport bus, but with the largest capacity being 30 passengers. The manufacturer is Nissan. Global Enterprise, Inc., advertises a troop carrier trailer. It is listed with roughly the same exterior size dimensions and slightly higher cost than Lifeline Mobile’s troop carrier semitrailer. It is identified as manufactured by Capital Coachworks. There are very few details on the GSA catalog listing, such as the number of passengers, no contract details was identified, and no product information was found on either the company’s web site (Global Enterprise or Capital Coachworks) for the troop transport trailer. Additionally, an internet search for 80 passenger transporters revealed that no other manufacturers were producing these unique vehicles.

7. Other Facts:

Supports Fleet Commonality: Lifeline Mobile has delivered twenty-six (26) troop carriers to the Army since 2000, and all are still in operation. In addition, the US Marine Corps has two (2) 80 passenger troop carriers also produced by Lifeline Mobile, which are still in use at

. Though commonality is not required, there are intrinsic savings that accrue to the Army from having matching vehicle sizes, engine types, and support system components that are common to the fleet.

Demonstrates Design, Manufacturing and Support Acumen: All 26 troop carriers are still in operation, and the users are very satisfied. Lifeline Mobile’s support shows that their 23 years’ experience working with GSA, as well as the Army and USMC has been worthwhile.

Procurement History: This item has always been listed in the GSA catalog and has been procured through GSA. The initial contract, which was awarded on a full and open competition basis, was awarded to Lifeline Mobile. This unique requirement to safely transport 80 trainees with their ruck sacks has been successfully met by Lifeline Mobile.

OPSEC OPSEC

Page 3 of 3 ACC-WRN FT 4276, 14 FEB 2018 Previous Edition is Obsolete

Recent Procurement History: Contract Number GS30F0017J, delivery order W56HZV18F0095, for a quantity of 7 each. A Limited Source Justification was completed for Lifeline, and the procurement was executed as sole source with only one bid received (Lifeline).

Unit Price: 3 each at $363,017.47 and 4 each at $365,279.00 Total Price: $2,550,168.41 (after discount) Award Date: 07 September 2018 Period of Performance End Date: August, 2019 Contractor: Lifeline Mobile, Inc.

8. Actions to Increase Competition: Competition is not being sought for this procurement, as Lifeline Mobile is the only contractor capable of meeting Government requirements. The demand for 80 passenger troop carrier vans has been low (26 units in 20 years), therefore, specialty trailer van manufacturers have been reticent to invest in manufacturing. If the demand increases, there is potential for more companies to be interested in producing 80 passenger trailers.

Page 4 of 3 ACC-WRN FT 4276, 14 FEB 2018 Previous Edition is Obsolete

9. Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which is included in the justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Printed Name: Ara Hall Title: Non-tactical Vehicle Inventory Mgt.

Specialist

Date: 28 May 2020

Printed Name: Jeffrey L. McLean Title: Director, Light Tactical Vehicles PSID Date: 11 JUN 2020

10. Contracting Officer’s Best Value Determination: I hereby determine that this order represents the best value consistent with FAR 8.404(d) and results in the lowest overall cost alternative (considering price, special features, administrative costs, etc.) to meet the Government’s needs.

Printed Name: Cletus Nwalozie //s//Cletus Nwalozie Title: Procuring Contracting Officer Date: July 09, 2020

11. Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Date: Signature: _//s//Cletus Nwalozie ___

CLETUS O. NWALOZIE

Contracting Officer

HALL.ARA.V.1276532460

Date: 2020.05.28 17:03:43 -04'00'

HALL.ARA.V.1

276532460

MCLEAN.JEFFR

Page 5 of 3 ACC-WRN FT 4276, 14 FEB 2018 Previous Edition is Obsolete

Approval

Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the procurement of up to 12 (base quantity of six and option quantity of six) 80 passenger troop carrier semi-trailer vans at an estimated cost of $4,412,328.00 (base quantity valued at $2,206,164; option quantity valued at $2,206,164), pursuant to the authority of 40 U.S.C. 501 and FAR 8.405-6. This procurement is subject to availability of funds, and provided that the supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

9/3/2020

X LaRuth Shepherd LaRuth Shepherd Competition Advocate Signed by: SHEPHERD.LARUTH.1230673116

Department of the Army Limited Source Justification