W912EF19B0003--18-0081_JA_for_sole-brand_PLC_on_19B0003.pdf

Control Number: 18-0081

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 McNary Dam acquisition includes the design and installation of new control systems as part of an upgrade to prevent oil from entering the river as well as improve reliability and efficiency of the drainage and unwatering pump systems. Each control system monitors and controls pumps that operate oil skimmers which remove oil from the sumps. They also control 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 $1,600.

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

Product Description Qty 1762 series PLC with chassis and I/O modules 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: Other manufacturer’s products are not fully compatible with the current systems at McNary Dam and introduce negative risks to the pumping systems’ operation if these components are not completely compatible. Additionally, if installed and found to be insufficient, efforts 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.

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 $1,600 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 software. RSLogix 5000 is a current proprietary software being used at McNary Dam as well as other Army Corps facilities such as Lower Granite, Dworshak and Little Goose. Allen Bradley controllers are the only devices that can communicate with RSLogix 5000. If devices were chosen other than the ones listed above they would not be compatible with RSLogix 5000 or the current system and would not function properly.

9 OTHER FACTS: None

10 INTERESTED SOURCES: None

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

PREPARED BY: Cynthia H. Jacobsen TITLE: Contract Specialist

CAC SIGNATURE: _____________________________________

12 DETERMINATION: I hereby determine the above-stated circumstances of this contract action deem only one brand is available to meet the Government’s need.

APPROVED BY: Jani C. Long TITLE: Contracting Officer

13 DETERMINATION: In accordance with the requirements of UAI 5101.602-2-90, I have reviewed the

J&A and determined it is legally sufficient.

APPROVED BY: Theresa Hampson TITLE: District Counsel g4oc9tlh Typewritten Text , Deputy