A.03.10_JA_for_sole-brand_PLC.pdf

Control Number: 18-0092

SINGLE SOURCE DETERMINATION (including brand name)

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

2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION: The Little Goose acquisition includes the design and installation of new control systems as part of an upgrade to improve reliability and efficiency of the drainage and unwatering pump systems. Each control system monitors and controls pumps which remove leakage water from the dam and which remove water from the turbine draft tubes. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must provide a new programmable logic controller (PLC)-based system. Within each PLC enclosure, wiring must interconnect between the PLC and external field wiring through the use of terminal blocks.

These brand name components comprise only a portion of the acquisition. Accordingly, this justification and approval is limited to these components only. The estimated price of the components is $80,000.

3. DESCRIPTION OF ITEMS: Rockwell Automation Allen-Bradley PLC and terminal block equipment includes the items in the following table.

Product Description Qty 1756 series PLC with chassis and I/O modules 2 sets 1492 series Terminal blocks with pre-wired cables to PLC 2 sets

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: Integration of the PLC with terminal blocks is critical to the timely completion of the system upgrades. Other manufacturer’s products are not fully compatible with the current systems at Lower Monumental and Little Goose and introduce negative risks to the pumping systems’ operation if these components are not completely compatible. Additionally, if installed and found to be insufficient, adequate time to re-procure compatible PLC and terminal block components would not allow sufficient time to complete the work before the end of the outage.

Benefits for the use of a single brand will result in simplifying the training requirements for Government personnel, reduction of spare parts inventory required for system maintenance, and will allow parts to be exchanged between systems.

b. JUSTIFICATION: Rockwell Automation’s Allen-Bradley brand of PLC and terminal blocks is specified to meet compatibility and supportability requirements.

Little Goose personnel will be required to know how to maintain and troubleshoot the system after it is installed. Allen Bradley ControlLogix PLCs are already installed and are part of Little Goose’s maintenance repertoire. Personnel who already know how Allen Bradley Logic Controller PLCs work will have very little trouble learning how to maintain this system.

c. IMPACT: Substitution for the specified product would:

i. Increase the initial and recurring costs of programming software

ii. Increase the initial and recurring costs of spare parts inventory

iii. Increase labor time, travel, and expense to train District personnel who will support the system

iv. Decrease compatibility with existing systems and thus decrease the amount of information that can be conveyed throughout the system

v. Increase the complexity of the facility and thus decrease maintainability and reliability

d. ALTERNATIVES:

i. None

6. EFFORTS TO OBTAIN AND INCREASE COMPETITION: It is anticipated that multiple suppliers of the Rockwell Automation’s Allen-Bradley items are present.

7. FAIR AND REASONABLE COST DETERMINATION: Based on catalog pricing an anticipated cost of $80,000 for the items listed above is fair and reasonable.

8. MARKET RESEARCH: The items listed above are essential in order to maintain compatibility and supportability requirements for existing systems. Market research indicates other companies’ similar products, or products lacking the particular feature, do not meet or cannot be modified to meet the agency’s 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.

RECOMMEDED BY: Jason Williams

TITLE: Project Manager SIGNATURE ____________________

PREPARED BY: Hillary Morgan

TITLE: Contract Specialist SIGNATURE ____________________

APPROVED BY: Jani Long

TITLE: Contracting Officer SIGNATURE ____________________