BioRadProteinSystemBrand_Name_Justification.pdf

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

FOR FEDERAL PROCUREMENTS UNDER THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD (<$150,000)

1. Describe the requirement, as well as the total estimated dollar value. Please note that the requirement is the minimum acceptable specification or capability, and is not necessarily the best in the industry.

Imaging System western blot analysis.

2. List the proposed vendor and contact information.

Multiple Vendors

3. Describe why the proposed vendor is the only vendor from which the requirement can be obtained. Examples of acceptable justifications include but are not limited to: sole manufacturer and seller, adherence to warranty provisions, urgency, etc. If other vendors can provide similar products or services, describe why they cannot meet our particular requirement.

A. The scientist needs to be able to perform western analysis of wheat proteins separated either by native PAGE or 2-D gel electrophoresis (isoelectric focusing or IEF). It is very difficult to transfer 2-D gels without destroying the low percentage gel in the process. The BioRad Protean/Criterion Cell is the only system that allows this to be done without risk of destroying the delicate gel by avoiding the use of foil or paper backing that needs to be peeled off. Instead the gel is sandwiched between pieces of plastic that are wedged apart. The BioRad system is needed because it allows testing of 12 pH gradients at one time, thereby increasing the speed of protein analysis. The scientist will need to conduct experiments at low temperatures. The BioRad system is the only system enabling separation at temperatures as low as 10 degrees Celsius. The scientist needs to avoid cross-contamination of the separated proteins. Ceramic trays have problems with cracking and with cross contamination of proteins due to porosity of the tray. The BioRad system is only system that prevents the cross-contamination problem by using a non-porous polycarbonate tray instead of a ceramic tray. The BioRad system also provides gel rigs that allow protein separation on multiple gels in the second dimension without protein carryover. The BioRad system is also superior in that it allows the use of variable voltage adjustment, the ability to use small and large footprint gels on a single rig, compatibility with downstream western blot analysis for small to large protein gels, the flexibility to run both denatured and native PAGE gel electrophoresis, and the use of multiple pH strips simultaneously without the need for additional power supplies.

B. We need to image fluorescent protein blots after 2-D separation, as well as image other fluorescent DNA, RNA, and protein experiments. The ChemiDoc MP provides a unique combination of needed features, including: 1) detection of low abundance proteins with high sensitivity; 2) protein visualization with a wide range of detection platforms including visible light, far red/near infrared fluorescence, chemiluminescence, multiplex fluorescence, SYPRO, strain-free blots, coomassie blue and silver stains detection using the included UV and white light detection shields; 3) accommodation of small, medium, and large-scale gel footprints; 4) quantification of relative protein expression levels over 4 + orders of linear dynamic signal range; 4) detection of nucleic acids (DNA/RNA) using ethidium bromide, SYBR, and Fast Blast stains. Finally, multiple scientists will need to analyze data from the imaging system using computers running multiple operating systems. The ChemiDoc is the only imaging system compatible with both the Windows and Apple computers used by our scientists.

This will be competed as a brand name requirement as there is a minimum of two (2) known sources that can provide the necessary products required for our research.

4. Certification:

I hereby certify that the information provided above is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

FOR FEDERAL PROCUREMENTS UNDER THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD (<$150,000)

Technical Representative Date

5. CO Certification:

I hereby determine that the circumstances of this procurement action deem only one source reasonably available. Also, the quoted price is determined to be fair and reasonable as documented on the SAP e-File Checklist and Award Summary.

Contracting Officer Date

09/13/2018