JA Belden Facing Brick_Sole Source_AIMR-2C Addition BLDG 653_WPAFB - FINAL_Redacted.pdf

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, P.O. Box 59, Louisville, Kentucky 40201-0059.

2. Description of Action: Approval is requested for use of a brand name item, Belden Modular No. 8601 21-27 Smooth, in the Firm Fixed Price construction contract for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Artificial Intelligence & Machine Research Center Capability (AIMR-2C) project Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The Government will not purchase the bricks directly but will include the bricks as a required material in the resultant construction contract. The construction contract will be solicited under full and open competition utilizing FAR Part 15. The project funding type is Research Development Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) Funds.

3. Description of Supplies/Services: Proprietary face bricks manufactured by Belden Tri-State Building Materials. The estimated sole source cost for the materials is approximately

4. Authority Cited: The statutory authority permitting acquisition of the requirement by Other than Full and Open Competition is 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

This authority is applicable to brand name justifications in accordance with FAR 6.302-1(c)(1).

5. Reason for Authority Cited:

(a) Background: This project involves a 6,000 SF building addition to B20653 within the existing Research & Development (R&D) Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Materials & Manufacturing Directorate (RX) complex at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB). All buildings within the AFRL complex are listed with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). The addition will require alterations to the existing exterior elevated walkway corridor between B20653 and B20654 and will be constructed due north of the main building entry, fully visible to all guests and personnel approaching the facility.

(b) Justification: A sole source J&A for face brick is required to maintain consistency in appearance with the existing building, ensure quality control, and maintain the technical integrity of the existing building design. Due to mission requirements from WPAFB Architectural Review Committee, WPAFB Cultural Resources, and SHPO, the addition must be designed to match the existing AFRL complex with complementary architectural style, vernacular, materials, and colors. The design includes abutting to the existing masonry façade on two sides and incorporating brick elements into the new addition façade to complement the existing building design architectural style and vernacular. Because masonry elements are required to incorporate existing building vernacular and architectural style in this design, it is necessary all face brick material is match in-kind with Belden Brick Modular No. 8601 21-27 Smooth.

(c) Impact: The use of any brick from any other manufacturer would cause a visual inconsistency with connecting building, thus WPAFB not being able to meet their mission requirements.

(d) Alternatives: None viable to maintain consistency in appearance with the existing building for the reasons noted above in Paragraphs 5b and 5c.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Requirements of various manufacturers were checked, and Belden facing brick were found to be the brick brand that meets mission requirements at Wright- Patterson AFB.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: USACE has no ability to influence manufacturers to begin making brick products to match this particular color and style. Until Wright-Patterson BCE changes their position on having an AFRL campus that has a similar look to all of their buildings, the choice for obtaining bricks is currently limited to this one provider.

8. Market Research: A formal market survey and a technical review was previously conducted on other Wright-Patterson AFB facility projects. As discussed in paragraph 6 above, only the Belden Tri-State Building Materials product can provide compatibility with the existing brick clad AFRL buildings.

9. Interested Sources: Notice of Intent was posted to SAM.gov on 29 October 2024. To date, no other sources have written to express an interest. If there are any responses this justification will be amended. In accordance with FAR 5.102(a)(6) and FAR 6.302-1(c)(1)(ii)(c), the justification shall be posted with the solicitation, redacted as necessary.

10. Other Facts: No other factors.

11. Technical Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the Justification and Approval, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

DATE: See Signature Block

Project Engineer / Architect

12. Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the Justification and Approval, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

DATE: See Signature Block

Project Manger

13. Legal Review and Concurrence: I hereby determine that the information herein is legally sufficient, and I concur with the sole source procurement.

DATE: See Signature Block

Office of Counsel

14. Fair and Reasonable Determination: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

I hereby determine that the anticipated cost or price to the Government for the contract, will be fair and reasonable based on a comparison of the Independent Government Estimate. Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the sole source specification for Belden Brick Modular No. 8601 21-27 Smooth. in the amount of approximately on an other than full and open competition basis pursuant.

DATE: See Signature Block

15. Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

DATE: See Signature Block

Contracting Officer