Upgrade Heat Plant Conductor VMS Consoles

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION The following Justification and Approval document provides the required information regarding the necessary sole source acquisition for an upgrade of the Bailey Infi 90 VMS consoles at the central heat plant. This sole source award is being made IAW FAR 6.302-2, "Unusual and Compelling Urgency." I. IDENTIFICATION OF THE AGENCY AND CONTRACTING ACTIVITY A. Agency: 341 CES, Malmstrom AFB MT B. Contracting Activity: 341 CCS , Malmstrom AFB MT C. Purchase Request Number: F2W3D99204A001 II. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING PROCESSED This requirement is for the purchase and installation of Bailey Infi VMS consoles and work station upgrade to the current Bailey system for the central heat plant at Malmstrom AFB. Due to recent system failures and the start of the upcoming heating season (1 Oct), it is critical that the system remain operational during installation. The upgrade provides a platform that supports installation while the plant is in operation. III. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES/SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE AGENCY'S NEEDS Purchase and installation of Bailey Infi 90 VMS consoles and work station. Vendor will also provide 3 years of technical support. Estimated value is $200,000.00. IV. STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION This action is authorized by 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(2) and FAR 6.302-2, "Unusual and Compelling Urgency." Due to recent system failures, there is a high risk of system failure during the upcoming heating season, which begins 1 Oct. The system cannot be taken down during installation. It is critical that the system installation is accomplished while fully operational. V. DEMONSTRATION THAT THE CONTRACTOR'S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS OR NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES THE USE OF THE AUTHORITY CITED ABOVE (APPLICABILITY OF AUTHORITY) The Malmstrom AFB heat plant currently uses out of date consoles by Bailey, which is now ABB. Only ABB can perform this upgrade while the plant is operating. Other similar systems require a complete system shutdown during installation. The heat plant consoles are mission critical and a system shutdown/failure could result in damage to base infrastructure, national security, and/or loss of life. The purchase of the Bailey Infi VMS console system will provide Malmstrom AFB with a completely integrated control system that is designed to work with the current system, which is manufactured and installed by ABB. It is not economically feasible to fully replace the in-place operational Bailey Infi VMS console. Another system would result in a substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition. VI. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS ARE SOLICITED FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS DEEMED PRACTICABLE Market research identified that ABB has the only commercially available product that is capable of performing upgrade installation during heat plant operations. VII. DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE ANTICIPATED COST TO THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAIR AND REASONABLE The Bailey Infi VMS console System cannot be purchased by any other means; therefore, fair and reasonable price will be based upon pricing data for a similar item and comparison to the Government estimate. VIII. DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED AND THE RESULTS, OR A STATEMENT OF THE REASONS MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT CONDUCTED Through our market research we did not identify any other company capable of providing the upgrade installation during heat plant operations. The Bailey Infi VMS console is unique to ABB and cannot be acquired through alternative means. IX. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION ABB manufactures the Bailey Infi VMS console that is currently in use at Malmstrom AFB. Purchasing a command and control system from them provides for a complete control system that is designed to work together without additional interface equipment, which could be a potential source of system error. The continued operation of the heat plant is mission critical and failure to receive Bailey Infi VMS console could result in damage to national security, risk of loss of life and incalculable infrastructure damages. Additionally, this system supports the air quality control equipment, which ensures compliance with environmental air quality emissions requirements. Acquiring equipment that is designed for complete integration during operation prevents the above scenario from occurring. No other option is available with the exception of replacing the system in its entirety by bringing the entire console system down during the spring. The operational function of the system supports 24 x 7 seasonal heating operations, which is imminent. Recent system failure presents a high risk of system failure during the upcoming heating season. IAW FAR 5.202(a)(2), a synopsis for this action is not required. This J&A will be posted to the Government Point of Entry (FedBizOpps) upon award. X. LIST OF SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THE ACQUISITION See Section VI above. XI. A STATEMENT OF THE ACTIONS, IF ANY, THE AGENCY MAY TAKE TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION BEFORE MAKING SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITIONS FOR THE SUPPLIES OR SERVICES REQUIRED Continued market research will be performed to identify new product/technology that will integrate with the ABB system during operations or the agency may give consideration to total system replacement in the future, enabling competition. XII. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S CERTIFICATION I have determined that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable and certify that the justification is both accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. CAROLYN LIPPERT WOOD Contracting Officer XIII. TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS PERSONNEL'S CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that this justification and approval for other than full and open competition is made in good faith, that the supporting data and information are both accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief, and that I would not be making this request if it were feasible to fully compete this requirement. I further certify that this request is not the result of lack of advanced planning or a desire to expend funds while those funds are still available. JOSEPH S. BEARD Heat Plant Foreman