G
l. Identification of the agency and the contracting office.
Western Area Power Administration (Western)
Desert Southwest Region (DSW), G1500- Procurement Office
615 S. 43rd Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85009
2. Description of supply or service required to meet the agency's needs.
This is a Single Source (fixed-price) requirement to Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL), for
the purchase of the SEL 3555, Real Time Automation Controller.
3. The rationale or circumstances for limiting competition.
Western requires the SEL 3555 for the reasons below. The SEL 3555 is only available directly from
SEL or a regional supplier. Therefore, sources for the SEL 3555 are very limited.
a. SEL 3555 uses a proprietary communications protocol called SEL Fast Messaging
communicating with other SEL devices. The SEL 3555 is used to gather real time information from
other SEL devices. The real time data is used annunciate and transmit Bulk Electric System (BES)
alarms and data. Also, the SEL 3555 facilitates controlling BES elements using SEL Fast Messaging.
b. SEL protective relays, communications, logic processors, and computing platforms have become
the building blocks for Western's Digital Control Systems (DCS). Extensive resources have been
expended to test and develop the DCS standard. Information Technology (IT) has also tested,
interfaced to and approved the use of the SEL 3555. Any deviation from the standard would involve a
considerable expense and effort across Western.
c. Field engineers and technicians have been trained in the programming, installation and testing of
the SEL 3555. Use of a brand other than SEL would not only require a significant amount of training
for the design engineers, field engineers and technicians, the cost of which would not be recovered
through competition, but would also require additional installation time and effort.
d. Engineering drawings, system designs and Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) symbols for SEL
3555 have been incorporated into Western's Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) system. Continuing to
use and purchase the SEL 3555 significantly reduces design time of protective relay, control and
networking systems. Familiarity with SEL architecture allows a streamlined effort for engineers and
technicians for incorporating new SEL 3555's into Western's system. Use of a product other than SEL
would cause Western to incur a duplication of effort and cost that will not be recovered through
competition.