Final JA - Data Cabinets WPAFB F20071_Redacted.pdf

LRL_FY25_14

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Agency: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Louisville District, Post Office Box 59, Louisville, Kentucky 40201-0059.

2. Description of Action: This justification and approval (J&A) is being prepared for the use of a brand name item, nVent/HOFFMAN, in the firm-fixed-price construction contract for the Renovate Materials Analysis Lab F/20071 project at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The government will not purchase the nVent/HOFFMAN equipment directly, but rather brand name specifications will be included in the Request for Proposal solicitation that will lead to a new firm-fixed-price construction contract. The construction contract will be funded by the Air Force using FY24 Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) funding.

3. Description of Supplies/Services: The proprietary nVent/HOFFMAN equipment will include data racks/cabinets, internals, and power supplies. The estimated total cost for the equipment is approximately .

4. Authority Cited: 10 United States Code (U.S.C.) 2304(c)(1), as implemented by

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1(a)(2), “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: As described at FAR 6.302-1(a)(2), when the supplies or services required by the agency are available only from one responsible source and no other types of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, full and open competition need not be provided for. This J&A applies that ‘Only One Responsible Source’ authority using the application of FAR 6.302-1(b)(4), which states that “[w]hen the agency head has determined in accordance with the agency’s standardization program that only specified makes and models of technical equipment and parts will satisfy the agency’s needs for additional units or replacement items, and only one source is available.”

a) Background: The Renovate Materials Analysis Lab F/20071 project at

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio will connect the data electronic system to existing facilities. This project has been designed to tie-in to the existing building systems in F/20071 so there is only one (1) system integrating the facility. The renovated electronic control system must be coordinated to ensure the facility and the users are integrated by code-compliant systems and all related infrastructure to power the system.

Justification: nVent/HOFFMAN is the sole manufacturer for the data racks/cabinet, internals, and all related infrastructure to power the system and tie into the existing system. The components and infrastructure for the system are the intellectual property of nVent/HOFFMAN. nVent/HOFFMAN is the only manufacturer that meets the needs of AFRL as a member of the data integrating community. Technical capabilities of various manufacturers were reviewed for compatibility to the current data requirements; however, use of different equipment from what is currently being utilized would not ensure a single system that coordinates/communicates with local offices.

b) Impact: The use of any parts from any other manufacturer would be incompatible with the existing data communication system. The data communication system uses proprietary software and the utilization of parts from other manufacturers will result in communication errors, making it inoperable.

c) Alternatives: None viable to achieve a fully functioning system for the reasons noted above in paragraph 5. b) and c).

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: None, for the reasons stated above.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: This is a finite requirement with no anticipated future needs, and therefore, there are no actions to increase future competition.

8. Market Research: A technical review and evaluation was conducted of the data communication requirements for the WPAFB facilities. As discussed above, only the nVent/HOFFMAN equipment will ensure seamless compatibility with the existing data communication used on Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

A Notice of Intent to Sole Source was posted 21 October 2024. To date, no other sources have written to express interest. If prior to issuance of the solicitation, responses are received expressing interest, the justification will be amended.

9. Interested Sources: A Notice of Intent to Sole Source was posted 21 October 2024.

To date, no other sources have written to express interest. If prior to issuance of the solicitation, responses are received expressing interest, the justification will be amended.

10. Other Factors: None

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 ____________

Project Engineer

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 ____________

Chief, Engineering Division

13. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine that an anticipated cost for nVent/HOFFMAN equipment for the Renovate Materials Analysis lab F/20071 project at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio will be fair and reasonable based upon the estimate outlined in paragraph 3. At time of evaluating proposal price, the overall proposed price will be evaluated for fair and reasonableness. I recommend this approach to the prompt attainment of services for the upcoming construction.

DATE_____________

Contracting Officer

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

Office of Counsel

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

I hereby determine that an anticipated cost of the nVent/HOFFMAN equipment for the Renovate Materials Analysis Lab F/20071 project at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio will be fair and reasonable based upon the estimate outlined in paragraph

3. At time of evaluating proposal price, the overall proposed price will be evaluated for fair and reasonableness. I recommend this approach to the prompt attainment of services for the upcoming construction.

Contracting Officer