Restricting Competition Document_Redacted.pdf

Control No.: JA-26-Nat-0524

Restricting Competition under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold In accordance with RFO FAR 12.102(a) and RFO DFARS 212.10-70

1. Contracting Activity: U.S. Army Contracting Command, Office of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Natick Division (ACC-APG, Natick Division), 10 General Greene Avenue, Building 1, Natick, MA 01760

2. Description of Action:

Nature: _X_ New Requirement _ _ Follow-on Requirement

Proposed Contract Vehicle: Contract Modification to Contract W911QY22P0076

Proposed Pricing/Contract Type: X Fixed Price Time & Materials/Labor Hours Cost Reimbursable Hybrid

Purchase Request Number:

Funds: _X_ Operations & Maintenance, Army (OMA) Other Funds:

FY: 2026

Name, Address, and CAGE Code of Proposed Contractor(s):

SMART LLC

160 Second Street Suite 216 Chelsea, MA 02150-1800

3UJW9

Brand Name Buy: Yes X No

3. Description of Services or Supplies: U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, Soldier Center, G4 Facilities/Chambers (DEVCOM-SC, G4) requires the following work in/around Building 2 at U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center:

a. the removal of all DowTherm J from Doriot Climatic Chambers Wind Tunnel brine fluid systems and storage tanks to include the following work:

i. DowTherm J to be removed from the entire Tropical and Arctic Wind Tunnel brine fluid systems

ii. DowTherm J must be disposed of properly

iii. All tanks, plumbing, heat exchangers, pumps and valves must be left in a clean enough manor that they can be safely removed and disposed of.

iv. Brine fluid coils and plumbing that contained DowTherm J within the Tropical Wind Tunnel must be removed to make space for new electric heating coils and conduit to carry electricity into the space

v. Removal of underground DowTherm J tank

vi. Removal of above ground DowTherm J expansion tank

vii. Removal of all DowTherm J plumbing on exterior of building

viii. Repair holes in foundation and walls left after DowTherm J plumbing is removed.

b. the replumbing of the Tropical Wind tunnel water circulation system with copper piping to alleviate ongoing leaks with schedule 80 piping to include the following work:

i. Drain all water and glycol from the circulation system

ii. Remove all schedule 80 plumbing from entire system

iii. Replumb entire system in copper piping

iv. Add new copper piped circulation system off of the main circulation system that branches off of the main circulation system and will flow whether the bypass valve is opened or closed v.

vi. The piping will span the full width of the chamber and will start at the

vii. A drainage system will be placed just above the louvered access door to catch the condensed water droplets and funnel them into a floor drain with the purpose of removing humidity from the wind tunnel

viii. The system should be refilled with a mixture of 30% glycol and 70% water

ix. Back fill any holes left in the ground from removing the underground tank and repair landscaping.

Estimated Period of Performance (PoP), including FAR clause 52.217-8 extension(s):

September 21, 2026, to February 8, 2027

Proposed Contractual PoP: Twenty (20) weeks after issuance of a Notice to Proceed.

Total Value:

4. Authority:

41 U.S.C. § 1901(a)(1): To promote efficiency and economy in contracting and to avoid unnecessary burdens for agencies and contractors, the Federal Acquisition Regulation shall provide for special simplified procedures for purchases of property and services for amounts not greater than the simplified acquisition threshold.

RFO FAR 12.0001(a): Acquisitions of commercial products or commercial services are subject to other parts of the FAR. This part takes precedence when there is an inconsistency.

RFO FAR 12.102(a): Document decisions to restrict competition, including the use of brand-acquisitions valued at or below the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), document the decision that only one source is available and the basis for the decision.

Reasons for Authority Cited:

Working knowledge of the controls and overall wind tunnels systems are imperative to the safe removal of this chemical. The system has numerous pumps, electronically controlled valves, heat exchanges, coils, compressors of feet of piping underground, in the basement, in the mechanical room and on the roof that all needs to be completely evacuated to ensure the safe removal of this equipment in the future. Since the wind tunnels have not been functional in many years, there is only one vendor that we are aware of that has the knowledge and ability to safely complete this work. Because of the numerous safety risks such as fires, explosions and death if someone were to breathe or consume this chemical during an accidental release, we do not believe it would be safe or responsible for the Government to allow a vendor that does not have this working knowledge of the facility to attempt to complete this work.

The Government considered competing this requirement, however after discussing the potential safety risks decided that it was not reasonable or responsible on the G

This chemical must be removed from the system for safe disassembly of the system. If this request was not approved the Government may be forced to use another company that does not have the working knowledge of the facility and the equipment which would greatly increase the risk to the facility itself and any personnel that work in the building or surrounding areas.

6. Publicizing Contract Actions: For RFO FAR Part 12 actions, the publicization requirements of RFO FAR Part 5 apply. RFO FAR 12.202(a).

The requirement to post a presolicitation notice at RFO FAR 5.101(a) applies, and the Government will comply by posting a Special Notice to the Government Point of Entry (GPE), SAM.gov. for fifteen (15) days for interested vendors to state their interest and potential capability to meet this requirement.

In accordance with RFO FAR 12.201-1(c)(2), the Government intends to solicit directly from the proposed sole source. Because the Government is restricting competition under RFO FAR 12.102(a), the requirement to solicit at least three sources under RFO FAR 12.201-1(c)(2)(ii) is not applicable. A solicitation will not be posted to the GPE.

The requirement to post an award notice at RFO FAR 5.301(a) applies, and the Government will comply by posting an award notice to the GPE.

7. Market Research: Market research indicates this type service falls within the commercial items definition as it is a service customarily used by the general public and has been sold, leased, or licensed to the general public. No other vendor other than

SMART LLC

8. Other Facts: None.

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

Signature:

10. Contracting Officer Certification/Approval: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief, and that completing this purchase as a sole source is in the best interest of the Government.

pricing will be determined fair and reasonable

. Additionally, I hereby approve this justification to limit competition subject to the availability of funds and provided that the services or supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

Signature:

Alejandro Ayala Contracting Officer, ACC-APG, Natick Division