508. A05_JA Decision to restrict competition Under SAT 12444526P0061_NJB.pdf

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

Identification Number: 12444526P0071, Req. 1174226

In accordance with the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Overhaul (RFO) FAR

12.102 (a), the following documents the decision to restrict competition for this acquisition.

(1) Mission Area and Contracting Activity.

Requisition Number: 1174266

Requesting Activity Agency:

USDA, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory (FPL), Forest Biopolymers Science and Engineering

(RWU4707).

Contracting Activity:

USDA-FS PROPS, FPO, East Zone, CSA East 6 1720 Peachtree St NW Ste 876S Atlanta, GA 30309-2449

(2) Estimated Value:

The estimated value is $85,265 for FY26 based upon IGCE and vendor quotation, and an estimated $10,000 in potential maintenance/support costs over a 10 year period.

(3) Brief Description of Supplies or Services

Procurement of an air-cooled, benchtop 3-Axis UV Laser Marking Device (7W Standard Head Unit and Controller). The system is used for high-contrast, non-destructive "cold marking" and patterning of highly heterogeneous cellulose and wood-based specimen surfaces at a high resolution with minimal thermal damage to support full-field deformation and strain measurements.

Product Service Code (PSC): 6640 (Laboratory Equipment and Supplies) NAICS Code: 333517 Delivery Date: 8/30/2026

(1) Suggested Source

Vendor Name: Keyence Corporation of America Address: 500 Park Boulevard, Suite 200, Itasca, IL 60143 Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): L66VDJVM3VP6 Point of Contact: Abe Mounir (Sr. Sales Engineer) Phone:

262-824-2019 abe.mounir@keyence.com

(4) Justification for Restricting Competition and the Basis for that Decision.

Rev. 3/4/26

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

Identification Number: 12444526P0071, Req. 1174226

A. Explain the unique qualifications/characteristics of the proposed contractor or product and why no other contractor or product/service can meet the Government's need.

The device must be restricted to Keyence because it features a proprietary, non-destructive crystal method (omitting crystal shifting) to change laser frequency to 355 nm, which minimizes thermal damage on delicate wood/cellulose materials while extending machine lifespan. It uniquely features a marking depth of +/-21 mm combined with automated dynamic focus to pattern complex, nonplanar wood packaging shapes. Additionally, it is entirely air-cooled rather than water-cooled, allowing FPL scientists to utilize it flexibly as a portable benchtop system across varying layout conditions.

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

Market research included product field searches, consulting peer institutions, and reviewing scientific literature (specifically the journal Strain). Results confirmed Keyence is the only device demonstrated in scientific literature for high-resolution patterning on cellulose materials. Screening GSA Advantage! showed a mandatory schedule vendor separating the head unit from the controller, missing mandatory system items, and tacking on a 22% price markup ($18,823 extra) compared to buying direct from Keyence Marketplace. Limiting competition is required to maintain essential research and development capability under FAR 12.102(a).

Certifications & Approvals

(5) Technical / Requirements Personnel Certification I certify this requirement meets the Government’s minimum need and that the supporting data, which forms a basis for this justification, is complete and accurate.

Nathan Bechle Materials Research Engineer

(6) Contracting Officer’s Certification I certify that the data supporting the recommended use of other than full and open competition accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. I hereby approve this justification.

Nicole Scott

Contracting Officer

Rev. 3/4/26