Brand Name Justification_Redacted.pdf

fail and are experiencing numerous leaks including the conservator tanks, which are contributing to the premature degradation of the transformer insulating oil. In 2019 The U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) advertised a design for the refurbishment of Transformer T3 but were unable to award due to . The inability to award this project after two separate solicitations in FY18 and FY19 has left the operating project in a difficult situation where this unit must be rehabbed during the 1 July future work at the facility including 6th Unit work and Generator Rewinds work.

NWS District and the Libby Project has chosen to have Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) perform the work under and Economy Act Order.

Justification: The primary reason for choosing ABB equipment for the new transformer bushings is the efficiency of integration with existing transformer components. ABB owns the proprietary GE design that includes the original plans and specifications for the Libby Dam transformers, which makes them an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). This enables ABB to provide bushings that are a direct-fit replacement with the existing transformer components while meeting the requirements of the specifications. Th ability to fabricate per specifications were the major factors in choosing ABB equipment over other manufacturers. The time saved is approximately 2 weeks of effort from the lead designer (24 hours), project manager (16 hours) and contracting specialist (16 hours) reviewing the proposed alternative, researching if it meets salient characteristics and specifications, then documenting the findings to either accept or deny the offered alternative. If the parts are found to not meet the requirements, additional time could be lost allowing the low bidder to provide a new proposal which could add an additional week of time. If we lose 2-3 weeks of award time, this will have an impact on the winning bidder delivering the bushings in time to meet the 15 June 20 delivery date. If the long lead items cannot be delivered in time, it would have an impact on the economy act order USACE has with TVA to complete the install in the approved BPA outage window.

ABB owns the GE proprietary transformer information for the Libby Dam transformers. ABB is the only company who can fabricate the bushings to include the bushing flanges that meet the dimensional tolerances of this transformer. Other proposed alternatives would need to reverse engineer these flanges or create an adapter plate proposed alternatives, the adapter plate impacted the connection between the winding leads and the bushings. In addition the adapter plates did not meet the industry standard tolerances for windings and bushing connections.

Impact: A design for the transformer refurbishment was advertised in 2018 and 2019 but were unable to be awarded. NWS District and the Libby Project chose to have TVA perform the work and Seattle District procure the equipment. A limited construction season requires work to start in July to accommodate critical water spill. Failure to provide name brand equipment as called for in the design would likely result in a delay to the transformer refurbishment work, require increased engineering and addi through the Hydroelectric Design Center. Review time product represents a cost and time commitment that would likely risk timely project completion. The approval process for an equivalent product is not guaranteed and failure of the equivalent product and subsequent ordering of the requested name brand part would likely lead to failure to complete the project.

7. MARKET RESEARCH: Components selected are for standardizing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Hydropower critical powertrain components to minimize costs to critical stakeholders, maximize value to the public, increase facility reliability and safety, and optimize component selection within the hydropower fleet for continued operation. Market research is continuously conducted over the course of procurements by the Hydroelectric Design Center and updated or modified specifications developed to continue meeting the needs of District hydropower Operations and Maintenance while maximizing value to preference customers.

The latest market research report dated January 2020 is attached.

FAIR AND REASONABLE DETERMINATION: Based on previous contracts, current price lists, published catalog pricing and a comparison of quotes received, the anticipated cost or price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable.

TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS (PREPARED BY): I hereby certify that the supporting data under my cognizance included in this limited source justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

NAME: DATE:

TITLE: Project Manager SIGNATURE:

CONTRACT SPECIALIST (REVIEWED BY): I hereby certify that the information supporting this limited source justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief based on the supporting data provided by technical/requirements personnel and my research of previous contracts.

NAME: DATE:

TITLE: Contract Specialist SIGNATUR

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION: I hereby certify this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief and determine that the anticipated cost or price to the Government will be fair and reasonable pursuant to FAR 13.106-3.

DATE:NAME

TITLE: Contracting Officer SIGNATURE:

02/19/2020