A.02. J&A SCO Approved - OBCWTP_Redacted.pdf

CUI//SP-PROCURE//FED ONLY Control Number: MVK-2024-0013 and Straub being the sole manufacturers of these items. Successful completion of this project cannot be achieved without these specific brand name items. Alternative products will not satisfy agency requirements.

Background: This procurement is part of the ongoing efforts to return the OBCWTP to reliable water production. The water treatment system is comprised of a series of "trains" that treat raw water containing quality problems. Each train is an inline system with membrane filters, water intake screens, dryers, blowers, permeation pumps, valves, actuators, chemical pumps, and level indicators. The trains receive raw water from a source for high purification to meet safe water drinking standards. Within the trains are membrane cassettes which house a series of membrane filters in a rigid frame. The cassette can be swapped out for maintenance or lifecycle replacement within a housed section of the train system. The OBCWTP contains six (6) of these trains that house the filter membranes for the treatment and distribution of drinking water. Two (2) of the of six (6) membrane filters were recently procured by JXN Water, the operating manager for the City of Jackson, MS water crisis. This procurement will provide replacements for the four (4) remaining membranes within these trains. An assessment of the trains was performed by JXN Water during the week 23 October 2023 in which it was determined that the membrane fibers, contained in the cassettes, were in such a degraded state that a lifecycle replacement was required in order to ensure consistent and reliable operation of the system. Additionally, OBCWTP has experienced multiple ongoing operational and maintenance challenges in the years since the membranes were previously installed. The requested components will be assembled and installed by JXN Water operational personnel.

Impacts: OBCWTP serves the greater City of Jackson, MS by providing drinking water to over 150,000 constituents. The city significantly relies on the delivery of clean and safe drinking water derived from OBCWTP. While the plant is currently operational, the million gallons per day (MGD) output is not optimal and cannot be classified as reliable due to the significant degradation in the current membrane filters. The installation of new membrane cassettes will increase the treatment capacity from 26.6 to 33 MGD, a 24% performance improvement to meet the plant's capacity target of 55 MGD. Without replacement of the filter membranes, the membrane fibers will continue to degrade, leading to the need for more frequent repairs, further reduction in output capacity, and increased down time for multiple trains. This will increase the risk of filtration failure/degradation and increase the hazard of the already reduced drinking water quality for the City of Jackson, MS.

Justification: Veolia and Straub are the sole manufacturers of the required parts and own the patented components inherently specific to the existing design of the water filtration system at the OBCWTP and its cassettes for the membrane filter technology.

With the current plant design, the requested membranes, and the cassettes that hold the membranes are a direct fit into the tanks at the plant, mounting onto the

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CUI//SP-PROCURE//FED ONLY Control Number: MVK-2024-0013 stainless-steel support beams and piping connections. All of these are specific to Veolia's design and would require significant modification of items for any alternative solutions. If different membrane filters were purchased, the train systems would no longer be compatible with the ZeeWeed 500 filter housing. It is more cost effective to replace only the membrane filters and not the entire train system to accommodate an off-brand membrane filter.

The Straub fittings are part of Veolia's patented design in which replacing them with same parts will allow for a seamless installation. If other than Straub fittings were purchased, there is a significant risk that piping would need to be replaced in order to accommodate the new style fittings. By purchasing Straub fittings, it not only allows for seamless installation but also reduces cost.

Alternatives: It is acknowledged that alternate filtration systems may be available that have similar filtration capabilities, however, the alternate systems would not be compatible with the existing filtration system and would require a complete overhaul of infrastructure and control systems. Based on this alternative, installing a different manufacturer's filtration system is not considered feasible nor in the best interest of the government.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: As part of the market research determination, A sources sought was posted to Sam.gov on 02 February 2024, requesting parties interested in supplying all materials and fittings for the membrane filter replacement to respond by the closing date of 10 February 2024. The purpose of the sources sought was to notify industry of this requirement, perform market research, and to gain knowledge of interested, capable and qualified contractors from various members of 8(a), HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Women Owned Small Business (WOSB), and Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) No responses were received from the sources sought posting.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: This J&A supports a discrete requirement that will end upon delivery of the required supplies. In accordance with FAR 5.102 (a)(6), this J&A will be posted as an attachment to the solicitation on sam.gov allowing industry to understand the Government's requirement with the items procured on a brand name basis.

8. Market Research: Prior to development of the proposed specifications, MVK personnel conducted informal market research to determine the availability of compatible systems with the current infrastructure. It was determined that no other filtration systems are compatible with the existing system without major overhauls of the current infrastructure. Through this research, it was determined that Veolia owns the proprietary information, and that Veolia and Straub are the sole manufacturers for the supplies. Based on these results and the results of the sources sought notice, it was determined that this requirement should be competed under other than full and open competition with the intent to receive brand name parts.

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