A_3_6_2_J A_14-35_Knox_Redacted.pdf

Control No. POA 14-35

LIMITED SOURCES JUSTIFICATION

FOR OTHER THAN FULL & OPEN COMPETITION

1. CONTRACTING AGENCY: U.S. Army Engineer District, Alaska, Contracting Division, P.O. Box 6898, JBER, Alaska 99506-0898.

2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION: This is a Limited Sources Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition to include a sole source (brand name) specification for the Knox Box 3200 Series and Knox Caps in solicitation W911KB-14-R-0017 for the 168 Person Dormitory on Eielson AFB, Alaska. The solicitation will be a competitive Request for Proposal resulting in a new firm-fixed price construction contract to be awarded with FY14 MILCON funds.

3. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES: This Limited Source Justification is for the inclusion of a brand name specification for the Knox Box 3200 Series in the solicitation and resultant contract for the 168 Person Dormitory (EIE326) on Eielson AFB, Alaska.

The Knox Box is necessary to comply with the Rapid Entry System by the Knox Company, which is required for use on Eielson AFB by the Eielson Fire Department in the event of an emergency. One Knox Box 3200 Series will be required for the Dormitory (EIE326) at an estimated cost of four Knox Caps will be required for an estimated cost of Approval authority for this Limited Source Justification is the Procuring Contracting Officer.

4. AUTHORITY CITED: Other than Full and Open Competition is authorized pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), FAR 6.302-1(a)(2), when only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. REASON FOR AUTHORITY CITED:

a. Background: The Eielson AFB Fire Department requires all buildings on the Installation to have an exterior emergency key storage vault keyed to a single master key.

The Rapid Entry System by Knox Company is required on Eielson AFB and the specific item is the Knox Vault 4400 Series. The Knox Vaults are used to hold a master key/access card as well as floor plans for the facility and are for use by the Fire Department in the event of an emergency. To prevent foreign material from clogging the standpipe water supply and to protect the connection from unauthorized use. The Fire and Emergency Services on Alaska military installations using a wet standpipe fire suppression system require all standpipe hose valve connections to have a locking Storz Cap that is keyed to a single master keywrench. Each Knox Vault and Knox Cap provided on Eielson AFB must be authorized by the Base Fire Chief and Knox Company Program Manager and must be provided with a code that has been assigned to Eielson AFB. The Base Fire Department is currently procuring and installing the vaults on existing facilities however the vaults on new facilities are to be provided under the applicable construction contract.

b. Justification: The Directorate for Public Works (DPW) on Eielson AFB and the Eielson AFB Base Fire Department require a standard product for use as exterior emergency key storage. The boxes and caps must be from a sole manufacturer to maintain security of the facilities and to provide consistency, compatibility and sustainability throughout the Base. In the event of an emergency, a single code may be used to access any building on Eielson AFB. The code is set by the manufacturer and is not shared outside that manufacturer or the Base Fire Department. The Knox Vault 4400 Series is a commercial off-the-shelf item available to the general public in the same form as provided to the Government.

c. Impact: Use of multiple manufacturers for exterior emergency key storage boxes with multiple codes jeopardizes the security of Base facilities and safety of facility occupants in the event of an emergency. In the event of an emergency, a single keywrench will access any standpipe connection. Lockable Knox caps must be accessible by a keywrench that is wholly compatible with existing Knox in order to ensure compatibility with the existing Knox caps.

d. Alternatives: None. The Eielson AFB Base Fire Department evaluated different exterior emergency key storage systems and selected the Knox Vault 4400 Series for use on the Base. Specification of Knox Caps and Knox Vault 4400 Series Rapid Entry Systems are essential to the Government’s requirements, precluding consideration of a product manufactured by another company.

6. EFFORTS TO OBTAIN COMPETITION: Based on information in paragraph 5, above, competition for the sole source brand name items to be included in solicitation W911KB-14-R-0017 is not feasible.

7. ACTIONS TO INCREASE COMPETITION: Based on information in paragraph 5, above, competition for the sole source brand name items to be included in solicitation W911KB-14-R-0017 is not feasible.

8. MARKET SURVEY: A sources sought notice for market research for alternative sources/items for the Knox Box 3200 Series was posted on FedBizOpps in March 2013.

One response was received offering a Master Lock product as an alternative; the response was evaluated by USACE and was determined unacceptable as it will not allow adequate control or tracking of the key for the building.

9. INTERESTED SOURCE: In accordance with FAR 5.102(a)(6), this Limited Source Justification will be included with the solicitation when the solicitation is made available through the Government Point of Entry (www.fedbizopps.gov). Any sources that indicate interest as a result of the publication will be evaluated.

10. OTHER FACTORS:

a. Procurement History: The Knox Box 3200 Series required for interface with the Knox F

Rapid Entry System has been specified and provided under prior FY11 to FY14 projects on military installations throughout Alaska.

b. Acquisition Data Availability: Not applicable.

c. Unusual and Compelling Urgency: Not applicable.

http://www.fedbizopps.gov/

d. Subcontracting Competition: Subcontracting opportunities exist for suppliers, distributors, and/or installers. This is a restrictive specification that only precludes consideration of a product manufactured by another company. Subcontracting competition will be the responsibility of the Prime contractor awarded the contract.

"I certify that this Limited Source Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief."