71 -- Intent to Award a Sole Source Contract for Furniture Compenent Parts

We intend to award a sole source contract to Knoll, Inc. for the purchase of furniture components for the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS). The additional furniture components need to be able to: (a) integrate into the existing Knoll furniture, (b) allow for flexibility when workstations are rearranged and (c) match the current furniture in appearance. The estimated value will not be disclosed for competition purposes but is less than $550,000. Justification & Approval - Limited Source Knoll Component Furniture Parts for Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies 30 August 2007 In accordance with FAR 6.302-1(a) (2), only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. (10 USC, 2304(c) (1)) Justification IAW FAR 6.303-2 and 8.405-6(g) (1) Contracting Activity: Department of the Air Force, 15th Contracting Squadron, Specialized Flight (15 CONS/LGCZ), 90 G Street, Building 1201, Hickam AFB, Hawaii 96853. (2) Nature and/or Description of Action Being Approved: Justification for brand name purchase for Knoll furniture components for the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS). (3) Description of Services Required Meeting the Agency?s Needs: APCSS requires additional furniture components to complete the outfitting of its workspace. The additional furniture components need to be able to: (a) integrate into the existing Knoll furniture, (b) allow for flexibility when workstations are rearranged and (c) match the current furniture in appearance. The estimated value will not be disclosed for competition purposes but is less than $550,000. (4) Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition: IAW 10 USC, 2304(c) (1) ? There is only one responsible source from which the requirement can be met. The acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Multiple Award Schedule Program IAW Title III of Federal Property and Administrative Services Act & Title 40 USC, 501, Services for Executive agencies. IAW FAR 8.405-6(a)(2) ? Item peculiar to one manufacturer and feature is essential to the Government?s requirements, and market research indicates other companies? similar products, or products lacking the particular feature, do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the agency?s need. (5) Demonstration that the Contractor?s Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition Requires Use of the Authority Cited: FAR 6.302-1(c) provides for use of brand name descriptions when the requirement can only be met by one brand name product. Knoll is the only manufacturer of the furniture components utilized in the workspace. Utilizing another manufacturer?s components would require all of the workspace furniture to be replaced. Use of non-comparable components could cause a safety problem. The additional systems furniture, including all component parts, will be integrated with existing workstations that were built using Knoll components previously. The new systems furniture will be located adjacent to and commingled with existing Knoll systems and need to provide a semblance of cohesion by matching with co-sharing panels. The additional furniture components need to be able to: (a) integrate into the exhausting Knoll furniture, (b) allow for flexibility when workstations are rearranged and (c) match the current furniture in appearance. (6) Description of Efforts Made to Ensure That Offers are Solicited from as Many Potential Sources as Deemed Practicable: IAW FAR 5.202-(a)(6), this acquisition will be ordered against an existing IDIQ under a GSA Schedule and no other offers will be solicited for this requirement. IAW FAR 8.404(a), placing orders under Federal supply Schedule contracts using the procedures of 8.405, order activities shall not seek competition outside of the Federal Supply Schedules or synopsize the requirement. This requirement will be posted on GSA E-buy as a RFQ. There are many different offerors with the same equipment; this will ensure that the purchase will be solicited among as many sources as possible. (7) Determination by the Contracting Officer that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: The requirement items/services are commercially available therefore existing market forces support cost reasonableness determination. The prices quoted are based on GSA contract GS-28F-8029H. Per FAR 8-404(d) GSA has already determined the prices of supplies and fixed-price services, and rates for services offered at hourly rates, under schedule contracts to be fair and reasonable. (8) Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results: Market research was conducted by reviewing the Federal Supply Schedules. Market research indicates that the Knoll component furniture is a unique and not compatible with other system furniture. The manufacturer is the only source available to purchase the furniture components. It was determined that no other FSS vendor has furniture on schedule that matches, is interconnectivity, and is compatible with the existing systems furniture. This requirement is not available for ?full and open competition? based on the need for the Knoll brand name. A search on GSA Advantage did show the items being requested and that the prices of these items were the same as advertised on GSA. If a contract is awarded to another source other than Knoll, more cost would be incurred because of furniture components can not be integrated. (9) Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other Than Full and Open Competition: The use of the Knoll furniture components are essential to APCSS?s requirements, thereby precluding consideration of a product manufactured by another company. Acquisition of a different brand would cause incompatibility with the existing component furniture. (10) A Listing of the Sources, if any that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: None (11) A Statement of Actions, if any, the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome any Barriers to Competition before any Subsequent Acquisition for the Services Required: It is the policy of this office to solicit for full and open competition to the fullest extent possible on all procurements. The specific requirements can only be met in this situation using other than full and open competition. (12) Technical and Requirements Certification: Based on the aforementioned, I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance which are included in this justification and which form a basis for this justification are complete and accurate. ______________________________________ ___________________ Robert M. Hogan, Facilities Branch, APCSS Date (13) Contracting Officer Certification: IAW FAR 6.303-2(a)(12), I certify that the data supporting the recommended use of Other Than Full and Open Competition is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. ______________________________________ ___________________ DENNIS W. ROMIG Date Contracting Officer, 15 CONS/LGCZ Approval In accordance with AFFARS 5306.304, I hereby approve justification to permit other than full and open competition for Knoll furniture components for APCSS. _________________________________ ___________________ RODGER W. PHILLIPS, Lt. Col, USAF Date Commander, 15th Contracting Squadron