A.03.09_Brand_Name_J A_ANC_Irrigation_Upgrades_4_Aug_2016_Redacted.pdf

ANC IRRIGATION UPGRADES

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

(Simplified Acquisition Procedures under FAR Part 13)

1. Agency/Contracting Activity: U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District for Arlington National Cemetery - Irrigation Upgrades

2. Description of Action:

Nature: New Requirement Follow-On Requirement Mod to Existing Purchase Order/Contract Number

Pricing: Firm-Fixed Price Time and Materials

Funds: OMA Other Funds: ANC

3. Description of Supplies/Services:

a. The total estimated dollar value of the proposed action is about $

b. No prior solicitations for irrigation systems have been attempted by the Norfolk District for Arlington National Cemetery.

c. Only Hunter irrigation components will be compatible with the current irrigation central controller at ANC. Since this project is only to upgrade a small portion of the entire integrated ANC Irrigation system, it must be compatible with the current Hunter IMMS central controller system. ANC is using the Hunter’s IMMS central controller software for remote operation of the entire cemetery’s irrigation system (control all irrigation from one computer location). This software was developed by Hunter Irrigation Company.

Each irrigation company has their own software and specific irrigation components (value and controller) which are not interchangeable.

d. Contractor will be installing and/or upgrading irrigation systems components for high profile areas located throughout ANC. This areas will have irrigation in both turf and plant bed areas. The total estimated value of this project is $ Only the system components that are required to communicate to the central controller are required to be part of this J&A. All piping and other components are not limited to a single source or brand name.

e. Contractor will be installing name brand “Hunter” irrigation components:

Hunter Components Each quantity w/out labor w/labor Hunter PROS 4" Pop-up spray head with pressure regulator, check valve and Hunter MP Rotator nozzle: 140 Hunter PROS 6" Pop-up spray head with pressure regulator, check valve and Hunter MP Rotator nozzle 199 Hunter I-20-SS, 6" pop-up rotor with SS stem (Small Rotor)

Hunter I-25-SS, 6" pop-up rotor with SS stem (Medium Rotor)

Hunter ACC 99D Underground sprinklers irrigation system, electric remote decoder 21 Hunter ACC 12-station Controller: Stainless steel (SS) cabinet with SS Pedestal 8 Hunter PROS 6" Pop-up spray head with pressure regulator, check valve and Hunter MP Rotator nozzle 199 Hunter PROS 12" Pop-up spray head with pressure regulator, check valve and Hunter MP Rotator nozzle 88 Hunter Underground sprinklers irrigation system, electric remote decoder 5 Hunter ACC 12-station Controller: Stainless steel (SS) cabinet with SS Pedestal 1

Total

4. Authority:

Action using Simplified Acquisition Procedures

FAR 6.302 -1(b)(1) When there is a reasonable basis to conclude that the agency’s minimum needs can only be satisfied by—(i) Unique supplies or services available from only one source or only one supplier with unique capabilities. In this case irrigation equipment is not interchangeable.

5. Reason for Authority Cited: Only Hunter irrigation components will be compatible with the current irrigation central controller at ANC. Since this project is only to upgrade a small portion of the entire integrated ANC Irrigation system, it must be compatible with the current Hunter IMMS central controller system. ANC is using the Hunter’s IMMS central controller software for remote operation of the entire cemetery’s irrigation system (control all irrigation from one computer location). This software was developed by Hunter Irrigation Company. Each irrigation company has their own software and specific irrigation components (value and controller) which are not interchangeable. ANC has invested a large amount of resources over the past few years to improving their irrigation system; using Hunter and its IMMS system, so they could have a more effective control over irrigation throughout the vast cemetery grounds. Creating a more efficient irrigation system.

If the new irrigation controller and values are not compatible with the existing central controller software then it will not be able to operate with the central computer using IMMS software and would have to be manual control at the box. For ANC to continue to use the IMMS system in place now, they must use Hunter manufactured control values, controller, and controller attachments (ex: moisture sensor devices). Irrigation companies have overtime been distancing themselves from each other by have their own specific components. This make their products stand alone and incompatible with other companies. Each system used different means of communication between the computer software and the controllers, and the controllers will not communicate with different values from other companies. This is how the industry developed overtime. Since ANC has the Hunter system installed throughout the cemetery now; it leaves no choices but to stay with this system and brand. It would be very expensive to switch systems now. Even if ANC were to switch systems, ANC would then still be limited to components to which ever manufacturer’s irrigation system was chosen.

Replacing the entire system would not eliminate the need for a single brand name of controllers, decoders and certain head since each irrigation system on the market currently will not operate interchangeably with any other. Therefore, an estimate of the cost to replace the entire system is largely irrelevant.

6. Actions to Increase Competition: No additional actions to increase competition to find an alternative irrigation component manufacturer are anticipated at this time. Based upon current research, Hunter are the only irrigation components that will be compatible with current system and meet the required specifications and warranty requirements. ANC, a small specialized National Cemetery organization, is not able to effect industry change or manufacturing guidelines of other companies. However, Hunter products can be purchased at multiple distributors.

7. Market Research:

Local market research has been conducted, and continues to conduct, product-by-product evaluation of all available irrigation systems. Hunter is the only manufacturer I the industry that manufactures irrigation components that is compatible and meets ANC required specifications and warranty requirements. Other manufacturers’ products were evaluated by the ANC Horticulture Turf specialist. These product includes Rain Bird with Maxicom and Toro with Lynx. The issue is capability, and there is no capability between manufacturers. Supplies and components are proprietary between manufacturers.

9. Additional information to support the justification:

The extent of this project is only a small portion of the entire ANC irrigation system. Therefore it must be compatible with the central controller which is Hunter IMMS system. Per justification above, only hunter irrigation system components will be compatible and meet customers’ requirements.

10. Technical/Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which is included in the abbreviated J&A is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Submitted By: Huong Huynh Position Title: USACE NAO Project Manager Email Address: huong.m.huynh@usace.army.mil

Signature on behalf of Huong Huynh:

Date:

mailto:huong.m.huynh@usace.army.mil

11. Fair and Reasonable Price Determination: As Contracting Officer, I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable.

Basis for the determination: price analysis techniques.

12. Contracting Officer’s Approval:

I hereby certify that this Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Based on the foregoing, I approve this sole source justification subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services and supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition

Typed Name: Paula Beck Title: Contracting Officer

Signature:

Date: