Sole Source Justification Letter- 366 TRS Arc Flash Gear.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

AIR EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMAND

12 June 2024

MEMORANDUM FOR 82 CONS/PKA

FROM: 366 TRS/CC

727 Missile Rd. Bld 1927 Rm 107 Sheppard AFB TX 76311

SUBJECT: Sole Source Requirements Justification – HVAC Arc Flash Protective Gear

Description of the Supplies/Services: The 366 TRS has a requirement to purchase the below HVAC Arc Flash Protective Gear. These items are needed with certified testing completed prior to shipping: Arc Flash Helmets- AS1200HAT-FB-PP, Salisbury Prim shield Plus WBS Full Brim Assembly 12 Cal with Hat (110ea); Arc Flash Coveralls- ACCA12RGM, Salisbury Arc Flash 12 Cal Cov, Red/Grey, Medium (10ea)/ Large (20ea)/ Extra-Large (10ea); Arc Flash Rubber Gloves- E011R, Salisbury 11”, Red, Size 8 (15ea) / Size 9 (35ea) / Size 10 (35ea) / Size 11 (15ea)

Efforts to Obtain Competition: The J3ABR3E431 03AC (Air Force Unique course) Course Manager provided an initial quote from Cotton Electric for the above requested HVAC Arc Flash protective gear with testing completed prior to shipping. Mandatory sources and open market sources were researched and contacted for further inquiry without any additional businesses found that provide testing of brand-new arc flash equipment prior to shipping.

Market Research: Market Research of AbilityOne and Unicor mandatory sources yielded no applicable results. GSA Advantage searches yielded multiple businesses that sell some, not all, of the items requested; three of these GSA Advantage listed businesses - Caprice Electronics, Inc., Seva Technical Services, Inc., and Wrigglesworth Enterprises, Inc., were contacted regarding the requested items and arc flash certified testing prior to shipping. All three of these businesses indicated they do not provide any certified testing prior to shipping. Additional Market Research of businesses that offer certified testing of equipment prior to shipping led to ArcWear, a company who completes arc flash testing on products, but they do not sell the products themselves. ArcWear's website listed distributors they have provided arc flash testing for in the past, and one of three of these listed distributors is currently active in SAM; this business, National Workwear Inc., was contacted for further research, and it was indicated by a customer service representative the arc flash gear items are not available, at this time. Further online market research of businesses that offer requested gear and arc flash testing services were identified: 703 Solutions, Inc., and Divergent Alliance LLC; these businesses were contacted for market research and inquiry into certified testing offered prior to shipping, and both distributors indicated they do not provide certified testing of helmets or coverall items. Cotton Electric Services, Inc. is the only known business will test the requested arc flash items prior to shipping.

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

AIR EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMAND

Other Factors: Cotton Electric has exceeded the strictest standards established by the North American Independent Laboratories for Protective Equipment Testing and maintains its NAIL accreditation for protective equipment testing; testing prior to shipping ensures new arc flash items comply with UFC 3-560-0 which is referenced by DAFMAN 91-203 in section 8.17.2.

5. A Statement Of The Actions, If Any, The Agency May Take To Remove Or Overcome Any Barriers To Competition Before Making Subsequent Acquisitions For The Supplies Or Services Required. We will, in the future, continue to search the marketplace for additional sources to remove or overcome any barriers to competition.

6. Technical/Requirements Personnel Certification: As evidenced by the signature below, the technical/requirements personnel have certified that any supporting data contained herein, which is their responsibility, is both accurate and complete.

NICOLLETTE L. BORGSTROM, Lt Col, USAF Commander, 366th Training Squadron

1st Ind, 82 CONS/PKA

The above justification is accurate and complete to the best of the my knowledge and belief.

CARRI DULANEY

Contracting Officer

2d Ind, 82 CONS/PKA

Approved/Disapproved

STEVEN TAYLOR

Section Chief

1400900228C Cross-Out