Description
JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION Solicitation No.: R13PS30206 Project Name: High Voltage Bushings __________________________________________________________________________ In accordance with FAR 6.302, the proposed contractual action is pursuant to the statutory authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)( 2 ) 1. Agency and Contracting Activity. Lower Colorado Region/Lower Colorado Dams Office/Davis Dam 2. Nature/Description of Action. Procurement of 12 each, replacement High Voltage Bushings for Davis Dam 203kV/13.8kV power transformers. The existing GE Type U bushings present a significant personnel safety risk and are known within the industry to fail suddenly and usually with catastrophic results. In January 2013, Davis Dam requested an assessment of bushings based on abnormal test results. Denver Technical Service Center performed a condition assessment and recommended replacement of the bushings, identified them as a personnel safety issue and implemented a mandatory restriction on personnel access to the transformer deck and directed Davis management to assess personnel hazards in other areas where porcelain from an explosive bushing failure could reach. The mandatory restriction severely limits access to Davis Dam as well as operations and maintenance activities, and will require interruption of water delivery and power generation to perform routine maintenance. 3. Description of Supplies/Services. 12 each, High Voltage Bushings. Bushings must be a direct replacement for GE Type U, Catalog Number - 11B728 G1, Class - AR230, Amp - 800, BIL - 1050. Replacement bushings must have ceramic insulation and be designed as a direct replacement for existing bushings, to include; diameter, mounting, height, connections, and performance of GE Type U, Catalog Number 11B728 G1. Delivery schedule - Contractor shall design, assemble, test, and deliver 12 direct replacement bushings within 120 days of award. 4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition. Authority FAR Coverage Application 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) FAR 6.302-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements 1 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(2) FAR 6.302-2 Unusual and compelling urgency 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(3) FAR 6.302-3 Industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental or research capability; or expert services 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(4) FAR 6.302-4 International Agreement 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(5) FAR 6.302-5 Authorized or required by statute 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(6) FAR 6.302-6 National Security 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(7) FAR 6.302-7 Public Interest 5. Demonstration of Contractor's Unique Qualifications. ABB purchased the bushing division from GE and maintains OEM drawings and capability. ABB has the original design drawings and has the ability to build replacement bushings. ABB provides 70% of the market with bushings. Davis Dam has an urgent need to mitigate the personnel safety issue and eliminate the mandatory restriction to the transformer deck and adjacent areas. We must eliminate the impact on the availability of Davis to deliver water and produce power. ABB has the capability to manufacturer exact replacement bushings within 120 days of award. Selection of another vendor that does not possess the original design criteria will delay delivery and put government personnel safety at risk of injury or death. The minimum requirements of the Government are direct replacement bushings that can be replaced without modification to existing infrastructure or wiring and meet the original design voltage and amperage ratings. The decision to use ABB as the sole source is supported by their access to original design documents and ability to deliver exact replacement bushings that require no modifications to plant facilities. (2) ABB, 1128 South Cavalier Drive, Alamo, TN 38001-3813, Telephone: 731-696-5336 has the ability to build exact replacement bushings and deliver within 120 days of award. Estimated cost is $21,000 per bushing, or $252,000 total cost. This estimate was obtained from ABB during market research. ABB purchased the bushing division from GE and maintains the original design documents. The bushings on the Davis Dam transformers were custom built in the early 1950's. Ability to refer to the original design criteria is critical to correct design of exact replacements. Davis Dam has an urgent need to mitigate a personnel safety issue and eliminate the mandatory 100 yard safe zone imposed by Denver Technical Service Center engineers. Failure to replace bushings will risk injury or death to government personnel. Replacement of these bushings is an interim measure to increase personnel safety, future transformer replacement is currently in the design phase and will eventually replace all aging transformers. 6. Description of efforts made to maximize competition. Attempts were made to contact another bushing supplier, LAPP, but they no longer supply bushings. No competition is anticipated for this purchase. A notice will not be published as required by FAR 5.2 under exemption specified in FAR 5.202(2) due to personnel safety. 7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost. Price is determined to fair and reasonable based on technical evaluations from Denver design engineers. 8. Description of Market Research Conducted. Market research was limited to ABB, since they own the original design documents. An attempt was made to contact another well-known bushing supplier, LAPP, but they no longer supply bushings 9. Any Other Supporting Facts. a. Specifications have not been developed due to need for exact replacements. Name plate data is sufficient for ABB to supply exact replacements. b. This is not a follow-on procurement. c. Government personnel are at risk of injury or death in the event of a failure. Abnormal test results have confirmed sudden deterioration in condition and required replacement of two bushings in the past 1.5 years. d. Condition assessments performed by Denver Technical Service Center are attached for reference. 10. Listing of Interested Sources. ABB, 1128 South Cavalier Drive, Alamo, TN 38001-3813, Telephone: 731-696-5336 11. Actions Taken to Remove Barriers to Competition. This is an urgent and compelling need to mitigate a personnel safety issue and requires exact replacement physical characteristics based on OEM design. Future replacement of transformers will include bushings and will be solicited by full and open competition.