NEC - Embassy Switch Gear Breaker Replacement
Awarded Limited / Sole Source Justification Posted
- Solicitation number
- 19PM0726Q0014
- Agency
- Department of State
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- Contract number
- 19PM0726P0457 Federal contract award
- NAICS code
- 335313 Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing
- PSC
- 5925 Circuit Breakers
- Place of performance
- Panama Panama Panama
- Points of contact
-
- Reinel Arcia pnmproreq@state.gov +13175000
- Alex Phannenstiel pnmprocreq@state.gov (507) 317-5000
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of State intends to award a sole-source contract to Schneider Electric Centro America for replacement and retrofit of the U.S. Embassy Panama's main electrical service distribution switchgear, with an estimated value of $202,000.
The justification rests on brand-name authority under FAR 12.102(a). The existing 20-year-old Siemens 480-volt breakers have reached end-of-life status and pose imminent risk of catastrophic failure; replacement breakers must be genuine OEM Schneider Electric Square D units compatible with the Embassy's proprietary electrical distribution infrastructure, which is classified as mission-critical security infrastructure. Schneider Electric Centro America is the sole authorized distributor and service provider in Panama with exclusive factory authorization, access to proprietary technical specifications, factory-trained certified technicians, and warranty-compliant installation capabilities. Market research confirmed no alternative sources can meet technical specifications, security requirements, warranty obligations, or the emergency timeline. The work scope includes removal of obsolete breakers, installation of new Schneider Electric breakers, system integration, testing, and commissioning. Place of performance is the Embassy compound and chancery building in Panama. An award date of July 31, 2026 is indicated.
Notice text
The requirement is to provide REPLACEMENT AND RETROFIT OF THE EMBASSY's MAIN ELECTRICAL SERVICE DISTRIBUTION SWITCHGEAR at COMPOUND AND CHANCERY BUILDING. The estimated value for the entire period of performance is $202,000.00, including options.
These supplies/services require the emergency replacement of obsolete main power system breakers that are 20 years old and have reached end-of-life status. The existing Siemens 480-volt breakers can no longer be procured or repaired due to obsolescence and pose an imminent risk of catastrophic failure. The retrofit requires the supply and installation of genuine OEM Schneider Electric Square D breakers, which are the only components compatible with the Embassy's existing proprietary electrical distribution infrastructure. The work includes removal of obsolete breakers, installation of new Schneider Electric breakers, system integration, testing, and commissioning to ensure full operational capability while maintaining the manufacturer's warranty on the electrical distribution system.
This will allow the Office of Facilities Management to accomplish the critical mission objective of maintaining continuous, reliable electrical power to all Embassy operations, including security systems, communications infrastructure, and life-safety equipment. Failure to complete this retrofit immediately creates an unacceptable risk of complete electrical system failure, which would result in a total shutdown and cessation of all Embassy operations.
Additional Pertinent Information:
The Embassy's electrical distribution system is classified as mission-critical security infrastructure. The existing system utilizes Schneider Electric's proprietary Square D breaker technology throughout the main distribution panels. Due to the age and obsolescence of the current breakers, there is an imminent risk of failure that could cause a complete power outage affecting all Embassy operations. The breakers have exceeded their rated service life, and replacement parts are no longer available from the original manufacturer (Siemens). Only Schneider Electric Centro America, as the sole authorized distributor and service provider for Schneider Electric products in Panama, can provide the genuine OEM components, technical expertise, and warranty-compliant installation services required for this time-sensitive emergency retrofit. The use of non-OEM or adapted components is prohibited under USG safety and security standards for sensitive infrastructure.
Awarded contract 19PM0726P0457 to unknown vendor for unknown amount on 2026-07-31.
Attachments
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| 26Q0014 - JUSTIFICATON.pdf |
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