Description
SINGLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION Stationary Battery Maintenance Training Procurement Title of Procurement The Training Policy and Programs (Technical Operations) office, of the Technical Training Directorate, proposes to pursue a single source procurement for Stationary Battery Maintenance training for Airway Transportation Systems Specialists (ATSS). Program Office The Training Policy and Programs Group, AJI-2300, is the program office for Airway Transportation Systems Specialist training policy and programs. Nature of Procurement Action The FAA intends to award a single-source deliver y order to Eagle Eye Power Solutions for up to 700 ATSS personnel to complete a Stationary Battery Maintenance course over a 36 month period. This is a new contract action and not a follow on to an existing contract or a modification expanding the scope of an existing task order. This is an urgent action, with immediate award required to ensure that the FAA is able to successfully train ATSSs to perform safety related maintenance actions on Stationary Batteries in the National Airspace System. The Agency’s strategy for meeting reliable backup power requirements to support air traffic operations includes the need for extensive safety and operational training on Stationary Batteries. It is estimated by the end of FY20 the FAA will have over 700 ATSSs in desperate need of this safety and maintenance training. To make progress on the backlog of training AJI plans to train 200 ATSSs during the remainder of FY20, and another 500 in FY 21 through FY22. Description of Supplies/Services This course will be blended delivery of online training and on-site practical application of skills. The student will complete 12 hours of online training at the technician’s local facility, to be followed by 24 hours of Hands On training at the vendor’s training facility. This training must be to industry standards and Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) compliant. The use of IEEE compliant training will ensure uniformity of installation and testing measures trained as well as meeting technical, safety and regulatory needs. Authority Authority for single source procurement is provided by AMS policy section 3.2.2.4. Rationale Supporting Use of a Single Source There is an immediate, critical need for hands on stationary battery maintenance training. The FAA last conducted hands-on training in 2015. An estimated 25 percent of the FAAs 4000+ ATSSs are exposed to substantial risks posed by batteries on a daily basis. The longer the Agency waits to provide this training the greater the likelihood of serious injury or death to our ATSSs, and damage to National Airspace System (NAS) equipment. There is a need to contract with a vendor who has the resources to immediately provide training in stationary battery safety, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), construction, installation, and maintenance practices on Wet Cell, Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA), and NiCad batteries. FAA Stationary Battery Training was discontinued in 2015 while a new course was being developed in-house. The new course was a 1 hour Web Based Training with no practical application of learned skills and knowledge. It was determined that this was insufficient and did not address the needs of the agency. The Technical Training Directorate, in conjunction with the Power Services Group, has since reassessed the requirements and determined that commercially available training would meet the new requirements with little or no modifications needed. Market Analysis Market analysis was conducted initially using web searches for companies that provided hands-on stationary battery maintenance. The requirements included the following Be centrally located, or have multiple locations Currently provide standard IEEE training to the battery industry Willing to modify vendor training materials to conform to FAA specific needs as required Conduct the training at the vendor facility or FAA facilities Physically have both Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) and Wet Cell batteries Upon further investigation, which included individual site visits, only Eagle Eye Power Solutions was found to meet all FAA requirements. Eagle Eye University is centrally located in the continental United States, in Milwaukee, WI, and is a manufacturer, installer, and service provider for back-up power systems. Eagle Eye also provides training to technicians in the management, testing, installation, and repair of battery back- up power systems. Eagle Eye is the only vendor determined to meet all the requirements after the results of the market survey were analyzed. Eagle Eye University has two Wet Cell battery banks, and are currently installing VRLA batteries. Some employees are members of the IEEE board, so not only do they teach to the IEEE standard, they are aware of all new practices being discussed and implemented. Eagle Eye will modify their course to meet the FAA’s requirements if needed. Their training facility seats 16 people, meeting the 10 students per class requirement and providing the FAA with the option of increasing class sizes. Other Facts Supporting Use of Single Source The critical need for Stationary Battery Maintenance necessitates an immediate direct award to Eagle Eye University. There is an immediate need to train ATSS staff to ensure the safety of technicians and the continued critical preservation of Air Traffic Control facilities dependent upon stationary batteries for power services. A future IDIQ contract is being developed with and estimated award dated of 2023 to include a Prime contractor and multiple subcontractors qualified to provide all FAA Technical Operation’s equipment trainings. Until this award is in place immediate needs must be met.