JA_for_Ford_Pit_Bulls_17JAN2018.pdf

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN

COMPETITION

(OVERSEAS CONTRACTING ACTIVITIES)

1. Identification of the Agency and the Contracting Activity.

I recommend that the Regional Procurement Support Office (RPSOFR) in Frankfurt, Germany, uses other than full and open competition for the acquisition of nine (9) left-hand drive armored Ford F-550 Pit Bull VX Transport Vehicles 4x4. The estimated cost for this acquisition is $2,686,500.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

This a new Firm-Fixed-Price contract to be awarded in accordance with FAR 6.302-1 and to approve the purchase of nine (9) armored vehicles of the specific brand and type

Ford F-550 Pit Bull VX 4x4 Transport Vehicle as described in Section 3 below. The acquisition of the subject vehicles will result in a new contract.

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs.

Nine (9) units of the left-hand drive armored Ford F-550 Pit Bull VX Transport Vehicle

4x4 with armor protection level A9/B6 or above. The vehicles shall be factory-new and meet the following minimum requirements:

4. An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

FAR 6.302-1 – Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

Alpine Armoring Inc. is the sole manufacture of their trademarked Pit-bull line of armored vehicles and the only manufacture that can meet the requirements. In order to maintain uniformity within current fleet inventory and to receive adequate after sales services, the additional armored vehicles need to be purchased and added to the current inventory that must be of the same brand and type.

The purchase of armored Ford Pit Bull vehicles from the company Alpine Armoring Inc.

in Herndon, Virginia, USA, is necessary to match the existing vehicles currently used.

These vehicles are uniquely familiar to the mechanics responsible for their maintenance, and spare parts are readily available in the local market. The vehicles of another brand or with different armoring specifications would be onerous to the U. S. Department of State as new and distinct infrastructures for the maintenance of the vehicles and training of the users would have to be established.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable.

This procurement is to be conducted as a sole source with a specific armored vehicle manufacturer, namely Alpine Armoring Inc., in Herndon, Virginia, USA, which previously supplied the same type of armored vehicles to the U. S. Department of State in a successful manner.

7. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the

Government will be fair and reasonable.

Market research was conducted which revealed that the armored vehicle manufacturer, namely Alpine Armoring Inc. is the only source which can satisfy the subject requirement. This company previously supplied the same type of armored vehicles to the Tunisian Ministry of interior. The price reasonableness will be determined by comparing the price of the company Alpine Armoring with the Government cost estimate and the price of an identical type of armored vehicle purchased by the

Government in the recent past.

8. A description of the market survey conducted and the results or a statement of the reasons a market survey was not conducted.

In order to maintain uniformity with the current fleet inventory and to receive adequate after sales services, the additional armored vehicles to be purchased and added to the inventory must be of the same brand and type.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

None.

10. A listing of sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

The company Alpine Armoring Inc. in Herndon, Virginia, USA, has expressed an interest in the subject procurement.

11. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required. Include a statement that this J & A for other than full and open competition will be published on FedBizOpps in accordance with FAR

Section 6.305 within 14 days of award (or within 30 days if the J & A is for unusual and compelling urgency.)

U. S. Department of State keeps current with regard to new and emerging vehicles by reviewing publications, reviewing vendor’s websites, and speaking with counterparts and other independent industry sources. For any future need for armored vehicle requirements, research will be performed to determine whether new vehicles in the market are available to fulfill the technical capabilities and the sustainability of the current fleet inventory. As required, this J & A document will be posted on

FedBizOpps within 14 days after contract award.