MVN-15-0023para72.pdf

J&A MVN-15-0023

a bypass barge gate and a flood control sector gate (each 150 feet wide) at the GIWW, a 56-foot-wide vertical lift gate at Bayou Bienvenue, floodwalls that tie into the New Orleans East risk reduction system on the north end and the St. Bernard risk reduction system on the south end, and a barrier wall across the MRGO and the Golden Triangle Marsh.

As the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Smith Berger Marine, Inc. was the sole supplier for the original fairlead, for use on the 150-ft wide bypass barge gate. The Model 5C-429 fairlead is a regularly manufactured item supplied by Smith Berger Marine, Inc.

When originally installed at the IHNC Surge Barrier bypass barge gate, the fairlead operated partially submerged. Over time this fairlead seized due to a design deficiency with the type of lubricating system within the fairlead components. This procurement is supplying a fairlead with the appropriate self-lubricated bushings to replacing the fairlead with seized water lubricated bushings currently installed. Additionally, due to the difficulty in servicing the fairlead and its current location in the splash zone, a stainless steel version would be more appropriate to ensure future operability and reduce costly maintenance actions.

Procurement of custom fairlead by a third party would require extensive engineering effort on the part of the government to develop design drawings and specifications.

Fabricating a custom fairlead by a third party to fit the cast in mounting hardware would also increase government expense and duration of work with no expected improvement to the quality of the product. In addition, certain design parameters would either have to be estimated or provided by the OEM supplier.

The floodgate is currently not fully functional and can only be floated and scuttled, but not swung by the operating machinery without risk of damaging the barge gate. For the 2015 hurricane season, the bypass barge gate has been placed in the closed position until such time as the repairs are complete.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition – The contracting officer will post a sources sought notice on FedBizOps and include the results of this inquiry in the justification. The J&A will be posted on FedBizOps within 15 days after contract award as required by FAR Part 6.305(a) and FAR 13.501(a)(1)(iii)

7. Actions to Increase Competition – The attached Special Notice was posted on

FedBizOps on 23 July 2015. The Government received no responses from industry members. A sole source RFP will be issued to Smith Berger Marine Inc.

8. Market Research – See para 6 & 7.

9. Interested Sources – See para 6 & 7.