BrandNameJustificationLMAGeokonLC.pdf

Control Number: NWW-15-0080

SINGLE SOURCE DETERMINATION (Including Brand Name)

1. CONTRACTING AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Walla Walla District (CENWW-CT), 201 North 3rd, Walla Walla, WA 99362.

2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION: This action is for the purchase of qty ten new Geokon 4900x-60-3 type load cells with Bendix PT06F-12-10P terminations. The load cells will be installed for measuring tension of the newly installed wire rope and socket connections for the downstream navigation gate at Lower Monumental Dam.

3. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICE: The wire ropes on the downstream gate at Lower Monumental Dam will be un-tensioned for work on the hoist friction sheaves during the Lower Monumental Downstream Gate Hoist Machinery Upgrade in Fiscal Year 2017. Twenty four (24) wire ropes connect the counterweight and the gate.

Adjustability in the form of a take up socket is present in order to ensure each rope carries identical loads. In order to determine the loads, load cells are present on the take up assembly that measure rope tension.

The estimated purchase price for qty ten Geokon Load Cells is $11,000.

4. AUTHORITY CITED: FAR 13.106-1(B) Soliciting from a single source.

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

5. REASON FOR AUTHORITY CITED:

a. BACKGROUND: The load cells are being purchased for measuring the tension of the gate hoist wire ropes. A total of 48 load cells are installed on the wire ropes of the downstream navigation lock gate. The subject make and model load cells are required in order to ensure consistency of installed load cells across the 24 hoist cables (12 on each side of the gate). In addition, the same make and model of load cell is required to ensure compatibility with the connection and data communication interface with the load cells’ vibrating wire sensor readout unit.

b. JUSTIFICATION: The Geokon brand load cell is required to maintain uniformity at Lower Monumental Dam. Additionally, Ice Harbor Dam downstream gate uses, qty 48, identical load cells to Lower Monumental. The

Walla Walla District possesses the data acquisition equipment to read the specified Geokon 4900x-60-3 type load cell.

c. IMPACT: Not purchasing the Geokon brand Load Cell will lead to the following negative impacts:

Risk of potential unequal load balancing of the downstream gate as a result of inaccurate load cell data collected from multiple incompatible makes and models. Unequal load balancing will result in operational risk for the downstream gate and navigation lock as a whole.

Increased initial costs associated with unnecessary replacement of existing Geokon load cells with all new equipment from another manufacturer.

d. ALTERNATIVES:

i. None.

6. EFFORTS TO OBTAIN AND INCREASE COMPETITION: It is anticipated that multiple suppliers of Geokon Brand Load Cells are present.

7. FAIR AND REASONABLE COST DETERMINATION: Based on catalog pricing an anticipated cost of $11,000 for the ten load cells is fair and reasonable.

8. MARKET RESEARCH: The Geokon Load Cells are essential in order to maintain uniformity of load cell and in allowing existing equipment to acquire data. Other company’s products do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, agency needs.

9. OTHER FACTS: None

10. INTERESTED SOURCES: None

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

RECOMMENDED BY Kyle DeSomber DATE____________________

TITLE Chief Mechanical Design SIGNATURE_______________

PREPARED BY Jani Long DATE____________________

TITLE Contract Specialist SIGNATURE______________

G4CTSJCL

Typewritten Text 17 Jun 2015

APPROVED BY Ruthann Haider DATE____________________

TITLE Contracting Officer SIGNATURE_________________