A.02_Brand_Name_Determin_for_FBO.pdf

Control No. OJL-19-0061

BRAND NAME DETERMINATION

SoftPLC Controllers (hardware)

1. CONTRACTING AGENCY:

US. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Portland District, Contracting Division, 333 SW First Avenue, Portland, OR 97204-3495.

2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION:

Approval is being requested for a new firm fixed price contract to acquire Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) license and Industrial C-Fast 4GB Cards from SoftPLC for the Generic Data Acquisition Control Systems (GDACS). Revolving funds will be utilized for this procurement.

3. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES OR NATURE OF CONSTRUCTION:

Item No.

Supplies/Services Qty Unit

0001 Part #HB2-HDC2-NK-ASSY: Hardbook SoftPLC Model HB2-HPQA

30 EACH

0002 Part #ICO-CFT8G: Industrial C-FAST Card, 8GB, PLC Disks

30 EACH

0003 Part #ICO-PS12024: DR-120-24, DIN Rail Power Supply 24VDC, 84W

30 EACH

The requiring activity is USACE, Portland District, Bonneville Lock and Dam, I-84, Exit 40, Cascade Locks, OR 97014-0150.

4. AUTHORITY CITED:

FAR 13.106-1 Soliciting Competition.

(b) Soliciting from a single source.

(1) For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold.

(i) Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name or industrial mobilization).

(ii) Where a single source is identified to provide a portion of a purchase because that portion of the purchase specifies a particular brand-name item, the documentation in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section only applies to the portion of the purchase requiring the brand-name item. The documentation should state it is covering only the portion of the acquisition which is brand-name.

5. REASON FOR AUTHORITY CITED:

a. Background:

1) GDACS is an automated power plant monitoring and control system (SCADA) for controlling power generation that is installed at twenty USACE hydropower plants located in the Northwestern and South Atlantic Divisions (NWD and SAD, respectively). GDACS is also installed at the US Bureau of Reclamation, Grand

Coulee, and Hungry Horse Projects, with whom we have a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for development, maintenance, and support.

2) SoftPLC controllers are used to gather data, process and control Main Unit

Generators and ancillary equipment in Hydroelectric Powerhouses. The developed software base of GDACS is customized to SoftPLC controllers, and other vendor’s controllers are not compatible.

b. Justification: SoftPLC controllers are only offered by the SoftPLC Corp., which makes this company uniquely qualified to provide support for this product. Controllers through other companies are not compatible with existing GDACS software and would require extensive reprogramming of GDACS that is not required with SoftPLC controllers.

c. Impact: Without SoftPLC products the Automated Controls and Cyber Security Branch

(ACCS) engineers will not be able to develop and test new GDACS code. The products are necessary for the new functionality at GDACS facilities, as well as support to existing functionality. Without this product the new GDACS code development cannot take place, and the ACCS GDACS mission shall fail.

6. EFFORTS TO OBTAIN COMPETITION:

Due to the need for compatibility of existing equipment brand name products must be used.

Vendors that can provide Brand Name items will be notified via Request for Quote.

7. ACTIONS TO INCREASE COMPETITION:

Multiple SoftPLCs have been installed at various USACE hydroelectric dams. Because of the volume of software developed, purchasing other brand name controllers from vendors is not feasible. However, as technology changes and the need for future GDACS codes arises, the technical staff will reassess the market to see if other products from a variety of small business vendors/dealers are able to be utilized.

8. MARKET RESEARCH:

Market research was conducted using internet search engines, the small business association and contacting local vendors who provide a similar supply. Similar products are available but are not compatible for current system needs.

9. INTERESTED SOURCES:

Two small business vendors have shown interest. Any other quotes received will be considered.

10. OTHER FACTS:

a. Procurement History:

W9127N18P0022 SoftPLC Corp.

W9127N18P0020 SoftPLC Corp.

W9127N16P0034 SoftPLC Corp.

W9127N15P0178 SoftPLC Corp.

W9127N14P0153 SoftPLC Corp.

W9127N14P0100 SoftPLC Corp.

b. Delivery Information:

USACE, Portland District Bonneville Lock and Dam Attn: Marcus Hadeed (CENWP-OD-B) I-84, Exit 40 Cascade Locks, OR 97014-0150

POC: Marcus Hadeed, (541) 374-7985, Marcus.A.Hadeed@usace.army.mil mailto:Marcus.A.Hadeed@usace.army.mil