RECOVERY- INSTALL SPRINKLER SYSTEM TO SINGLE FAMILY QUARTERS

In compliance with the transparency and accountability requirements associated with the supplemental appropriations provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the 'Act'), Public Law 111-5, this notice is provided for INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. The Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), intends to modify established contract number G10PD01226 awarded to BlueScope Construction. Under Clause 52.243-05 Changes and Changed Conditions. The project described below is within scope of the existing contract, which was originally awarded on a competitive basis. THIS OPPORTUNITY IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO THE INCUMBENT CONTRACTOR. Contract # G10PD01226, Dollar Value of This Action is $10,640.00 to install a complete Sprinkler. 1. Identification of the Agency and Contracting Office: Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey (USGS), Eastern Region Eastern Region Acquisition and Grants Branch 2. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Approved: The U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (PWRC) located at 12311 Beech Forest Rd Laurel, MD has a requirement for the addition of a complete and working Sprinkler System in the Single Family Quarters, which is ARRA Project #CO0001F currently under contract with BlueScope Construction, Inc. (Contract # G10PD01226). BlueScope Construction, the General Contractor (GC), is constructing a modular type Single Family Home built in a factory by their Sub-contractor/supplier. The home arrives on PWRC in two pieces complete with all electric, plumbing, heat/air conditioning, kitchen/bath fixtures, cabinets, drywall installed/finished and painted. The foundation and all underground utilities are completed prior to the home arriving on PWRC and the home is placed on the foundation, assembled, utilities are connected and any finish work necessary to make the home ready for occupancy by the GC, BlueScope. Due to the construction process of the modular type home, the Sprinkler System needs to be designed and installed at subcontractor's factory. This code requirement was identified post award since the Government was not aware of Prince Georges Co MD, 2007 NFPA 13R, Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies up to Four Stories in Height regulation at the time. BlueScope and their subcontractor will provide and install a complete and working Sprinkler System in the Single Family Home within the 180 day contract period. 3. Description of Supplies and Services Required: The work described above was not anticipated at the time of award due to the fact the Government was not aware an exemption for the Sprinkler System requirement was no longer valid. The Statement of Work (SOW) utilized for this solicitation mirrored the SOW used by the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) when constructing two modular type Duplex residences perpendicular to where the Single Family Home will be built. The existing two Duplexes were built when the exemption was relevant for federal property residential construction prior to the 2007 NFPA 13R Code update. USFWS, who is the land owner at PWRC, has directed USGS to have the residential sprinklers installed per Prince Georges Co. MD Building Code Regulations. USFWS' Safety Department has also concurred and expressed that PWRC should follow all applicable local codes, even if they are stricter. The Prince George's County Fire Marshall's office has also indicated that residential sprinklers are required for new construction, and there are no exemptions for residences on Federal property. The local requirements for sprinklers have more to do with the variances in State and local codes. Prince Georges County specifically passed a law that all new residences shall have sprinklers systems. The goal of a residential sprinkler system is life safety for the building occupants. They are designed to keep a typical residential fire in check, so the occupants can safely exit the residence. The scope for the needed change to be performed at the subcontractor's factory is listed below;a. System Design per NFPA 13R, with necessary Stamp/Approvalb. Installation of concealed/recessed pendant sprinkler heads with related pipe, fittings and accessoriesc. System Testing and Certificationd. Provide/Install Backflow Preventer and Riser Manifolde. Provide/Install Fire Department Connection (FDC)The scope for the needed change to be performed by BlueScope is listed below;a. Increase Water Supply Piping to accommodate the sprinkler systemb. Final Connection to Single Family Homec. Install FDC to Exterior of the Single Family Homed. Final Testing and Certification The contractor team will provide appropriate labor, management, and supervision coordination time for the additional work efforts identified above. 4. Identification of Statutory Authority: FAR Part 6.302-1(a)(2)(i) - 41 U.S.C. 253 (c)(1), only one responsible source and no other supplies and services will satisfy the requirements. 5. Demonstration That the Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited: USGS has awarded contract # G10PD01226 dated 03/30/10 to BlueScope Construction, Inc. to construct the Single Family Quarters complete and ready for occupancy for an amount of $340,486. Due to local Prince Georges County building codes noted above, all residences in the county are to be protected by a sprinkler system; BlueScope provided Change Order #1 on 05/05/10 for this service for an amount of $10,640, to be incorporated into the existing contract and will increase the amount to $351,126.There will be tremendous time delays and a significant increase in cost to install a sprinkler system in the Single Family Home after the building arrives on site within the contract period of 180 days. The walls and ceilings would have the drywall removed to install the new sprinkler system, and then new drywall would be put back, finished and painted. The approximate cost to the government to complete this work after the building arrives by a separate contractor would be $25,000, twice the amount to have it completed during the manufacturing phase. There would also be additional Government oversight, testing and inspections. The requisite testing and inspections would be completed by the home builder and would ensure Quality Assurance/Quality Control and less waste to take to a land fill. In order to avoid the additional time and cost to the government associated with having a separate contractor perform the sprinkler installation, BlueScope is the only source recommended to execute the above described services. 6. Efforts Made to Ensure That Offers will be Solicited From Many Potential Sources as is Practicable:An announcement of intent to make a noncompetitive award to BlueScope Construction, Inc. will be posted on FedBizOpps for a period of 3 days. 7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost to the Government:The Contracting Officer has determined that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable. A preliminary cost/price analysis has been performed on the estimated costs for BlueScope to oversee the project. The change/modification represents a 3.0% increase to the original contract amount. An increase of this value is considered within scope and funds are available. 8. Description of the Market Research: Market Research was completed utilizing RS Means, Building Construction Cost Data 2010 for estimating and historical data of similar projects in Prince Georges County. The government has not identified another vendor to complete this work, per the discussion above. 9. List of Sources Expressing an Interest in Writing: None. 10. Actions to Remove or Overcome Barriers to Competition: Future Statements of Work for similar construction requirements in Prince George's County, MD will include the Sprinkler System Code for a new residence/dwelling. All future requirements will be competed to the maximum extent possible. 11. Certifications: (a) Project Officer's Certification:I hereby certify that the supporting data that pertains to the technical/requirements information contained in this justification and which form a basis for this justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. (ATN # CO0001FM) 07/02/2010