Restricting Competition Justification_AFD Unit 1 Packing Rings_Redacted.pdf

This document is a justification for other than full and open competition for a firm-fixed-price contract with Alco Investment Company to procure replacement packing rings for the Albeni Falls Dam Unit 1 hydroelectric turbine hub blade seals.

The contract action, valued at $90,344.00, addresses an urgent operational need to replace damaged blade seal packing rings currently rendering Unit 1 inoperable. The original copper alloy packing rings have become unserviceable due to age, wear, tear, and damage from previous repairs and maintenance. AFD engineering personnel, working with the Seattle District and the Hydroelectric Design Center, developed an alternative water-jet cutting fabrication method using similar copper alloy materials to compress the standard three to four-month lead time into less than two weeks, enabling return of Unit 1 to service before the annual Lake Pend Oreille drawdown. The contracting officer determined the anticipated cost of $90,344.00 is fair and reasonable. The justification was authorized under 10 U.S.C. 3204(a) and RFO 6.103-2 (Unusual and Compelling Urgency), citing environmental, financial, operational, and safety impacts resulting from Unit 1's offline status, including loss of generation revenue, elevated toxic gas levels threatening protected species, disrupted winter power operations across the Federal Columbia River Power System, and safety risks from excessive spillway gate operations. Alco Investment Company was the only supplier able to meet the urgent timeline, possessing required naval brass plate material in stock and capable of manufacturing the components in five working days.