A05_JA for Under SAT_1174443__Redacted.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Decision to Restrict Competition under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

Identification Number: 1232SA26Q1033

Rev. 3/4/26

OEM’s components are compatible with the Farinograph-TS drive, torque calibration system, MetaBridge software environment, and international rheological test standards (AACC/ICC/ISO).

No third-party or generic mixer assembly is capable of integrating mechanically or electronically with the Farinograph-TS. Substituting a non-OEM bowl would compromise calibration integrity, invalidate standardized dough rheology measurements, and jeopardize ongoing research requiring precise water absorption, dough development time, stability, and softening parameters. Brabender, now fully integrated into Anton Paar, manufactures all Farinograph-TS mixers and accessories exclusively. Anton Paar USA, Inc. is the sole authorized U.S. distributor and service provider for Brabender instruments and components. There are no alternative domestic or international distributors authorized to supply OEM-compatible S300-series mixers, nor are there any competing products that meet the functional, mechanical, software, or standards-compliance requirements of the Farinograph-TS system. Because the required 300 g S300N mixer and associated components are unique OEM parts, and because Anton Paar USA, Inc. is the only authorized source capable of supplying them, no other contractor or product can meet the Government’s need.

B. Describe market research conducted and the results or the reason why no market research was conducted.

Market research was conducted to determine whether any alternative sources exist that can provide a 300 g mixer bowl compatible with the Brabender Farinograph-TS system (Serial No. 1935472).

The following steps were taken:

1. Search of general laboratory equipment suppliers. Major scientific-equipment suppliers such as Fisher Scientific, VWR, and other online laboratory instrument distributors were reviewed.

None list Brabender-compatible 300 g mixer bowls or any equivalent attachments.

2. Search for third-party distributors or aftermarket manufacturers. No third-party manufacturers or resellers producing or distributing Brabender-compatible mixer assemblies were identified.

Brabender accessories remain proprietary OEM components produced by Brabender (now part of Anton Paar).

3. Review of Federal purchasing history. USDA-ARS and broader Federal procurement records, including SAM.gov, were reviewed to identify prior purchases of Brabender instruments or Farinograph components. Historical records show that earlier Federal purchases were awarded to C.W. Brabender Instruments, Inc., the original manufacturer of Farinograph systems.

Following Brabender’s acquisition and integration into Anton Paar, all Brabender products— including Farinograph-TS mixer assemblies—are now distributed exclusively through Anton Paar USA, Inc. No Federal purchase records indicated any alternative vendors supplying compatible Brabender mixer bowls, confirming a continuous single-source supply chain from the original manufacturer to the current sole authorized distributor.

4. Search of GSA Advantage and GSA Schedule vendors. GSA Advantage was searched for Brabender Farinograph-TS mixers, S300-series accessories, or any compatible alternatives. No results were found. Similarly, no GSA Schedule vendors list OEM Brabender components or compatible mixer bowls.

5. Review of USDA/REE-wide IDIQs and BPAs. Available USDA and REE-wide Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts and Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) for laboratory equipment were reviewed. None include Brabender or Anton Paar as contract holders, nor do any provide equivalent or compatible mixer assemblies.