Single Source Justification for JCI Programming - 2 pages.pdf

Single Source Justification for SAP under the SAT

Revision: 01 Effective Date: 11/15/2024 Page 1 of 2 Acquisition ID#: 36C263-26-AP-0436

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification for Single Source Awards IAW FAR (RFO) 13.101(b) For

Over Micro-Purchase Threshold but Not Exceeding the SAT ($350K)

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C263-26-AP-0436

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VHA VISN 23, NCO 23

Contracting, Construction Team 2, VA Black Hills Health Care System (VABHHCS)

– Fort Meade Campus. PR-IFCAP 2237#: 568-26-2-9878-0006.

2. Brief Description of Supplies/ Services required and the intended use/Estimated Amount: A new construction project that has a need for brand-named specific items – Johnson Controls, Inc. (JCI), Simplex brand fire alarm system equipment and devices for the VA Black Hills Health Care System (VABHHCS) – Fort Meade Campus. The purpose of this project is to upgrade a campus-wide, twenty-six (26) building fire alarm system. The existing system’s basis of design is JCI, Simplex brand. The upgrade will include, but is not limited to, the replacement of the campus-wide fiber backbone and the installation of new and replacement equipment and devices on the system. All new and replacement equipment and devices must be compatible with the latest version of JCI, Simplex brand fire alarm system available.

Because the JCI Simplex fire alarm equipment and devices are proprietary in nature to JCI, it is therefore required by JCI that programming and final testing of all the required fire alarm system components be performed only by JCI authorized, factory-trained and certified technicians. Market research has shown that since JCI does not authorize, factory-train or certify third party technicians to do programming and final testing of its proprietary equipment or devices, this task is exclusively a JCI task to perform and that JCI is deemed the only one responsible source with no other services satisfying agency requirements. While certain other electrical contractors are fully capable of purchasing this equipment and devices from JCI, and other authorized re-sellers, and then installing it, this Single Source Justification is for the partial requirement of the overall estimated total IGCE of the project for the programming and final testing of JCI-proprietary equipment and devices only.

Estimated costs are based on the AE’s design, Cost Estimator’s cost estimates, and the COR’s IGCE.

Estimated Amounts:

1. Total Project IGCE:

2. Total estimated cost JCI-required Programming and Final Testing of Simplex brand computer workstations, fire control panels, and devices (including, but not limited to smoke & heat detectors, pull stations, relay modules, and horn & light strobes.

Single Source Justification for SAP under the SAT

Revision: 01 Effective Date: 11/15/2024 Page 2 of 2 Acquisition ID#: 36C263-26-AP-0436

According to the VHAPG templates and based upon the estimated dollar amount of this JCI-required programming and final testing of equipment and devices, the newly adjusted Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) of $350K, this Justification can be executed and approved at the CO-level.

3. Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one source, with the reason no other supplies or services can be used: The existing fire alarm system utilizes the JCI Simplex brand and is the only system that can meet the requirements of the VABHHCS. The intent is to install the same brand and type of fire protection throughout the medical center to provide a system that is compatible with the existing system. The Simplex brand system is used at VABHHCS for all fire alarm functions, including monitoring and controls and is essential to meet the Government’s requirement. JCI utilizes proprietary technology, so other systems are unable to connect to it. Using two or more incompatible vendors for this upgrade would impact the facilities ability to maintain fire safety standards and could pose a significant patient and employee safety risk. Given the above reasoning, JCI is deemed as the only one responsible source with no other supplies or services satisfying agency requirements.

4. Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted: It is well known in the VHA contracting spere that JCI fire alarm systems are proprietary in nature and that other systems do not interpolate with them to a fully compatible degree. This includes programming and final testing of equipment and devices. Basic internet market research, along with the COR’s attained knowledge of these systems in our discussions, his IGCE, the Construction Procurements Checklist and the COR’s draft market research and single source documentation all support this conclusion.

5. Contracting Officer's Certification: Purchase is approved in accordance with FAR (RFO) 13.101(b). I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

CALVIN L. COURTNEY Date Contracting Officer Network Contracting Office 23 (NCO 23)