Thermal Transfer Printers Equipped with Labels and Ribbons

Please E-Mail directly to Turnerdl4@state.gov or CookCG@state.gov JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION BRAND NAME RESTRICTION 1. The Office of Acquisition Management is conducting this acquisition for 100 each Zebra GK42T printers including supplies. The estimated cost is $47,000. 2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved: The action covers the purchase of thermal transfer printers (equipped with labels and ribbons) for the 92 DPO locations to print traditional classified/unclassified pouch labels and other elongated stickers for DPO transportation requests (USPS compliant). 3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the Department's needs. The printers, along with supplies that include thermal transfer labels and wax ribbon, are used at existing DPO locations to print pouch labels. 4. An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition. 41 USC 253(c)(2), FAR 6.302-1: Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The need for the printers can only be described in terms of using a brand name and the use of such description is essential to the Government's requirements, thereby precluding consideration of a product manufactured by another company 5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor's unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited: The DPO label print capability which uses Zebra GK42T printers was developed as an integral part of the Integrated Logistics Management System (ILMS). The printing process was designed and programmed by Accenture and involves utilizing specialized print drivers and templates that reside on a remote ILMS server. Because the drivers are specific to the Zebra printers and the system uses uniquely developed templates, any major change such as using other printers requires reprogramming by Accenture. With such a reprogramming, it necessitates that Accenture and the Department conduct extensive testing prior to deployment. This translates to expenditure of contract dollars with Accenture and direct labor of federal employees. In addition to the substantial investment in software, the Department also attained extensive in-house expertise over time in supporting, troubleshooting, and maintaining operations with the Zebra GK42T which is not transferable to other devices. The current Zebra based system is in place in all of the DPO mailrooms and a second printer is now needed for an additional requirement. Should any other make and model printer be acquired, the Department will incur substantial programming and testing costs. The Department also will incur added cost in maintaining additional inventories of supplies and other support. The overall cost to the Department will exceed the value of the printers. 6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable. It is not practicable to solicit from other sources on a full and open basis. However the required printer will be solicited using a brand name description. Based on market research conducted, competition will be achieved from multiple suppliers of the required brand name device. 7. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable. Based on prior history and technical understanding of the industry, the price offered to the Government is considered fair and reasonable. In addition the printer is priced consistent with the manufacturer's published commercial pricelist 8. A description of the market survey conducted and the results or a statement of the reasons a market survey was not conducted. An online search was performed and a large number of suppliers exist to compete. 9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition. None 10. A listing of sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition. None 11. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required. Should ILMS be redesigned, the new print requirement will be competed.