Ventilation Fans

FBO Notice The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS) at the New York Animal Import Center, New York NY intends to award on a sole source Purchase Order to Big Ass Fans, in Rock Tavern, NY under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 and U.S.C. 253( c )(1 ). This work will be for the facility assessment, fan procurement, subsequent delivery, and limited installation of electric motorized fans for 14 animal quarantine buildings. The areas where the fans will be installed will need to be assessed, to calculate or determine, the maximal air exchange rate possible for all areas that will be occupied by livestock, while ensuring the elimination of stagnant air pockets. The fans are meant to improve the elimination of noxious/hazardous odors and interior building thermal control, for the benefit of human and animal occupants. DETERMINATION AND FINDINGS: We have determined that specific models offered by Big Ass Fans will meet the expected goals of the proposed project, and restrictive requirements for continual use within the quarantine facility. Based on experienced issues with standard commercially available fans, that have been bought and continually replaced over the years due to ineffectiveness or poor durability in a quarantine environment, NYAIC has identified that the proposed supplier has developed fans which can withstand the harsh environment that standard commercial or industrial fans have not tolerated. Big Ass Fans have a historically been used in agricultural or other outdoor environments, with the above mentioned fans being proven and certified to be resistant to the infiltration of solid and liquid particles into the motor enclosures which can cause rapid failure and the need for replacement. While the fans are not wash down rated, common to food production facilities and twice as expensive with limited sizing available, the fans will need to be routinely disinfected along with the rest of the buildings every 3-30 days. The International Protection Marking code assigned to these fans, and information provided by the manufacture has demonstrated that these fans will be able to withstand that cleaning and disinfection process. In addition to the demonstrated durability, the metallic construction materials is more desirable over plastic as it is less likely to retain pathogens which can spread disease. Overall the durability and quality will ultimately result in reduced overall initial and replacement costs, while meeting the complicated space constraints found in each building. Each of the buildings at NYAIC have slight variances, which prevents the use of traditional suspended fans due to permanent light fixtures, heat ducting, electrical conduits, an fire suppression systems. Big Ass Fans is the only manufacturer with the correct combination of fans with the portability, maneuverability, compactness, or mounting capability to work within the current operational footprint without a costly overhaul and renovation. AirEyes come with specific brackets that can be mounted on the walls or directly on the animal containment structures between current fixtures, are compact enough with a high air flow output (CFM), and have a reduced overall noise generation. This translates to less negative impact on animal (bird, horses and other livestock) stress levels, with the only fan found to have a slim enough profile, which is OSHA compliant, that does not pose a direct safety hazard to animal occupants, while having the highest dust and moisture resistance ratings. The Black Jack fans, also capable of being cleaned and disinfected, are the only known portable fans of their size and maneuverability. All other comparable agricultural fans, are either smaller with less CFM output, or must be installed in a wall or ceiling which would be a costly endeavor, and over the proposed budget. The Haiku fans have a low profile, compact design, and high enough CFM to fix in the limited ceiling space in buildings that the Aireyes would be ineffective. Finally, the Powerfoil is a unit with unparalleled energy efficiency that can be installed within the limited overhead space that will not act as an overhead hazard, and has sealed gearbox that will prevent dirt or debris from reducing the life of the 15 year warrantied life-span. Based on research, there are no other combination of comparable fans, from any other manufacturer, which will meet the aforementioned constraints and intended goals, without increasing project costs, or recommended usage. In the case of Big Ass Fans, the manufacturer who has a GSA contract, is the only authorized distributor. This means there are no other procurers available which could provide a comparable quote, unless they forgo all administrative overhead. Finally, if the fans could be procured by another distributor through submission of a purchase order, some of the fans would not retain the full manufacturer warranty, as the warranty validity is contingent on the manufacturer being involved in the installation process. A firm-fixed price Purchased Order is anticipated to cover services from Date of award through 10/30/2018. The total value is not-to-exceed $279,000.00 during the total period of performance. This notice is for informational purposes only. No formal solicitation will be issued. Any questions or inquiries must be e-mailed to the listed point of contact (Latisha Hollman, Contracting Officer, telephone: (919) 771-5163, e-mail: latisha.a.hollman@aphis.usda.gov) by the indicated response date (Thursday, 07/26/2018, 3:00 pm central time).