J A_W912DW-13-D-1003-0003.pdf

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL (J&A)

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Control Number:

Project/Equipment: Inclusion of Brand-Name Monaco Transceivers in Request for Proposal (RFP) and Subsequent Task Order Award under Single Award Task Order Contract (SATOC) W912DW-13-D-1003 for Project Entitled “Replacement of Fire Alarm System, Transformers and Repair of Manholes and the Sewer Outfall, Yakima Training Center, Yakima, Washington”

Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c)(1); FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii); FAR 6.302-1(c)

Estimated Amount: $250,000.

Prepared by: Typed Name: Elizabeth Hall Phone: 206-316-3832 Title: Project Lead Date: 7 August 2013

PCO: Typed Name: Shannan M. Jones Email: shannan.m.jones@usace.army.mil Title: Contracting Officer Date: 7 August 2013

Technical: Typed Name: Elizabeth Hall Phone: 253-966-1756 Title: Project Lead Date: 7 August 2013

Requirements: Typed Name: Cecil Ramsey Phone: 206-316-3832 Title: Life Safety System Manager Date: 7 August 2013

SIGNATURES ARE REQUIRED BELOW

I have reviewed this J&A and find the justification adequate to support other than full and open competition.

Project Lead: Signature: _____________________ Date: ____________ Typed Name: Elizabeth Hall Phone: 206-316-3832

Office of Counsel: Signature: _____________________ Date: ____________ Typed Name: Phone:

Contracting Officer: Signature: _____________________ Date: ____________ Typed Name: Shannan M. Jones Email: shannan.m.jones@usace.army.mil

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Typewritten Text 7 August 2013 g3oc9idc Typewritten Text Ian D. Clunies-Ross 206-764-3471

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Typewritten Text

NWS-2013-060

1. CONTRACTING AGENCY:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, Contracting Division, Special Projects Branch.

2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION:

The purpose of this Justification and Approval (J&A) is to authorize obtaining equipment from a single source to support Task Order performance under project entitled “Replacement of Fire Alarm System, Transformers and Repair of Manholes and the Sewer Outfall, Yakima Training Center, Yakima, Washington” [specifically anticipated for execution as a Task Order against Single Award Task Order Contract (SATOC) W912DW-13-D-1003]. Under this Task Order, the contractor will be required to replace the obsolete Monaco Fire Alarm & Mass Notification BT-2 and BT-4 transceivers at Yakima Training Center with new Monaco BT-X transceivers to support the installation’s existing Monaco Enterprises’ D-21 Radio Alarm System (herein after referred to as the Monaco D-21 System). The current Monaco BT-2 and BT-4 transceivers which report fire panel alarms to the Monaco D-21 System must be replaced with new Monaco transceivers as the existing transmitters have become obsolete and the installation can no longer obtain components for the panels.

3. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES:

The required Monaco BT-X transceivers that will be provided under the project identified in paragraph 1, above, are manufactured by Monaco Enterprises, Inc. The total estimated amount of the name brand equipment to be procured and installed under the Task Order is $250,000.

As aforementioned, Yakima Training Center currently employs the Monaco D-21 System.

This system currently collects information from the obsolete Monaco BT-2 and BT-4 transceivers and alerts emergency services. The Monaco BT-X transceivers are functionally designed to replace the old BT-2 and BT-4 transceivers and to communicate with the specific Monaco D-21 System. This J&A will authorize replacement of the existing BT-2 and BT-4 transceivers, at Yakima Training Center in accordance with current codes and regulations, approximately 64 (contractor to verify exact number), with modern reliable transceivers, Monaco BT-X transceivers or better, compatible with the installation’s existing Monaco D-21 System.

4. AUTHORITY CITED:

In accordance with 10 U.S.C 2304(c) (1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii), only one responsible source will satisfy agency requirements, and FAR 6.302-1(c), application for brand name descriptions, this J&A authorizes the inclusion of Monaco

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NWS-2013-060

brand name equipment in the Request for Proposal (RFP) and subsequent Task Order award for the project identified in paragraph 1, above.

5. REASON FOR AUTHORITY CITED:

The installation’s existing central receiving station, the Monaco D-21 System, operates on Monaco’s proprietary FSK communications protocol. As such, the installation requires the use of Monaco BT-X transceivers to provide two-way communication between the central receiving station, existing buildings and the fire station on site, to ensure both the receipt of supervisory fire alarm signals and full mass notification capability. No other products from other manufacturers are compatible with the Monaco D-21 System.

Additionally, Unified Facilities Criteria 3-600-01, Fire Protection Engineering, dated 26 September 2006 (with Change 3, dated 13 March 2013), paragraph 5-2.3, Requirements [for Alarm Reporting Systems], states, “Transmitters must be listed or approved for use with the existing base reporting system.” Reliability for transmission and receipt of alarm signals can only be attained by using transceivers which incorporate the proprietary communications protocol established by the alarm system manufacturer. Consequently, the only transceivers listed or approved for use with the Monaco D-21 System station are those manufactured by Monaco, which in this case are the Monaco BT-X series. Finally, Unified Facilities Guide Specification, Section 28 31 33.00 10, FIRE ALARM REPORTING SYSTEM, RADIO TYPE, Article 1.2, System Description, (NOTE) states:

“when an addition to an existing system is required, provide the make, model number, and other pertinent information to the designer. This will eliminate most of this specification because the additional interfaces have to be compatible with the existing central radio fire alarm reporting system.”

Finally, reference is made to the attached documents specifically provided by Monaco Enterprises, Inc. to provide additional evidence that there are no products from manufacturers other than Monaco that will communicate with the Monaco D-21 System because the system operates on a company proprietary communications protocol (Enclosures 1 and 2). As stated in these documents, “reliability for transmission and receipt of alarm signals can only be attained by utilizing transceivers which incorporate the proprietary communications protocol established by the alarm system manufacturer.”

6. EFFORTS TO OBTAIN COMPETITION:

Full and open competition was initially performed when Monaco was selected as the installation’s reporting system. Now that the Monaco D-21 System has been established as the installation’s master reporting system, all new devices must be compatible with the existing system, which is a proprietary Monaco system.

No other efforts will be made to ensure that offers are solicited from other sources because of the stringent requirement that the equipment be compatible with the existing Monaco D-21 System, and because of the UFC requirement that all new equipment must

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be listed or approved for use with the installation’s existing reporting system.

7. ACTIONS TO INCREASE COMPETITION:

Competition was initially performed when Monaco was selected as the installation’s proprietary reporting system. Due to the proprietary nature of this system, only equipment that is manufactured by Monaco is compatible with the current system. No other manufacturer can supply equipment that will be compatible with the installation’s existing Monaco D-21 System; therefore, no further actions will be taken to increase competition for the specific equipment that is the subject of this J&A.

8. MARKET RESEARCH:

Monaco provides remote interface drivers (RIDs) that allow other vendor’s transmitters to communicate with the Monaco D-21 System. However, only the D-21 BT-X transceivers are fully compatible and approved and listed for use with the Monaco D-21 System. Since no other manufacturer’s products are listed for use with the installation’s current Monaco D-21 System, no further market research will be performed for the specific equipment that is the subject of this J&A.

9. INTERESTED SOURCES:

No other sources have been contacted regarding this action.

10. OTHER FACTS:

Due to the critical nature of the installation’s fire alarm and mass notification system and the requirements for newly procured equipment to be compatible with the present infrastructure, the facts substantiate that it is in the Government's best interest to specify the Monaco brand name transceivers in the RFP and subsequent Task Order award for the project identified in paragraph 1, above. The following facts are also provided for reference:

a. Procurement history: Historically, the equipment/materials which are the subject of this J&A have been procured and installed as brand name equipment under other contract vehicles.

b. Acquisition data availability: N/A

c. Follow on Contract: N/A

d. Unusual and compelling urgency: N/A

e. Subcontracting Competition: N/A

f. Site and Schedule: N/A

g. Configuration Management: N/A

11. TECHNICAL CERTIFICATION:

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in this J&A are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

NAME: ELIZABETH HALL DATE: _________________________________

TITLE: PROJECT LEAD SIGNATURE: ____________________________

12. REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION:

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the J&A are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

NAME: CECIL RAMSEY DATE: _________________________________

TITLE: LIFE SAFETY SYSTEM MANAGER SIGNATURE: _____________________

7 August 2013

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13. FAIR AND REASONABLE COST DETERMINATION:

I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for inclusion of the Monaco equipment authorized by this J&A will be fair and reasonable based on review and negotiation of the cost for these items during the solicitation phase. As the total estimated cost of the Monaco equipment to be procured and installed under the Task Order for the project identified in paragraph 1, above, will be less than $750,000, certified cost or pricing data will not be required pursuant to FAR 15.403(b)(1).

NAME: SHANNAN M. JONES DATE: _________________________________

TITLE: CONTRACTING OFFICER SIGNATURE: ____________________________

14. CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION:

I certify that this J&A is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

NAME: SHANNAN M. JONES DATE: _________________________________

TITLE: CONTRACTING OFFICER SIGNATURE: ____________________________

ENCLOSURES:

(1) Monaco Enterprises Proprietary System Information

(2) Monaco Sole Source Statement

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Typewritten Text 7 August 2013

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J&A - ENCLOSURE 1

Sole Source Statement

Reference: Transceivers, to be added to Monaco Enterprises’ D-21 Radio Alarm central receiving system, part of an “Existing Monaco Fire Alarm System.”

The sole source to Monaco is justified because the Transceivers that report to the existing Monaco D-21 Radio Alarm System central receiving station, operate on a company proprietary communications protocol. There are no other products from other manufacturers that will communicate with the Monaco system.

The Defense Military Handbook MIL-HDBK-1008C Paragraph 7.1.2, dated June 10, 1997, states that a fire alarm reporting “system” shall be designed, installed, operated, and maintained to provide the maximum practicable reliability for transmission and receipt of fire alarms. Reliability for transmission and receipt of alarm signals can only be attained by utilizing transceivers which incorporate the proprietary communications protocol established by the alarm system manufacturer.

Authority for this purchase is 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c) (1) and DOD FAR Supplement 206.302-1. Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy Fort Stewarts requirements.

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J&A - ENCLOSURE 2