KO Determination_Redacted.pdf

File Type: Contracting Officer's Determination for Limiting Competition at or Below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

This document is a justification for a brand-name restricted purchase through a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for electrical parts needed at Newburgh Lock and Dam in Newburgh, Indiana. The US Army Engineer District, Corps of Engineers is procuring multiple Eaton brand electrical components to replace faulty or damaged equipment in the Motor Control Center (MCC) that provides power to the entire lock facility. The procurement is categorized as a new requirement under a fixed-price contract vehicle using Operations & Maintenance, Army (OMA) funds. The contracting officer determined that limiting competition to specified brand names is justified under RFO 12.102(a) based on the unique technical compatibility requirements of the MCC system and the need for exact replacements to minimize downtime.

The parts list includes 35 line items of Eaton brand electrical components such as indicating lights, contactors, relays, transformers, meters, breakers, and starters with estimated total costs redacted in the document. The contracting officer's justification emphasizes that alternate breakers, push buttons, or pilot lights would require complex modifications to the MCC and cause extended operational disruptions, making brand-name specifications essential to meet the Government's minimum needs. Market research confirmed no viable alternatives exist that would function as exact replacements. The determination includes certifications from the technical specialist, contracting officer, and legal counsel confirming the accuracy of the justification and the necessity of the brand restriction under FAR regulations.