Sole Source Justification Rancimat.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

MANDATORY TEMPLATE FOR FEDERAL PROCUREMENTS UNDER THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

1. Estimated Dollar Value: $36,231

2. Anticipated Period of Performance: N/A Delivery within 90 days of Award

3. Does the anticipated Period of Performance include option years? If no, explain.

No. No further add-ons or increases in quantity can reasonably be foreseen.

4. Sources Sought Notice posted to Contract Opportunities and attached to this document?

☒ Yes – ☐ No

5. Market Research conducted and attached to this document? If not, explain. A Sources Sought was posted on SAM.gov on 11/7/2023 and closed on 11/22/2023. One response was received in response to the Sources Sought from Jidaya, LLC. Jidaya, LLC is a Small Business and is a re-seller of Rancimat Products. GSA was searched for the terms Rancimat 892, Rancimat, Oxidative Stability Instrument, and OSI, and in each case, there were no returns.

The internet was also searched for Rancimat 892. Metrotech is authorized, as an extension of the Metrohm USA Sales and Service Organization. No other vendor provides installation and on-site and remote training required.

6. Is this a new requirement or a follow-on to an expiring award?

☒ New requirement ☐ Follow-on to an expiring award

7. Describe the requirement. Please note that the requirement is the minimum acceptable specification or capability, and is not necessarily the best in the industry. Please note whether any additional follow-on work is anticipated in response to the current proposed effort. The requirement is for an instrument that can measure the oxidative stability index of fats and oils and biodiesel according to AOCS official method Cd 1b-92 and ISO 6886. It should have a minimum of eight sample measuring locations, a temperature range of 50°C to 220°C that can be set in steps of 1°C increments, temperature calibration/correction capability, and maximum deviation of < 0.3°C from the set temperature. It should have a built-in air pump with a flow range of 1-25 L/h. It should have conductivity measuring vessels that hold at least 50 ml of water and conductivity measuring capability of 0-400 µs/cm. It should have conductivity measurement vessels capable of holding 50 ml of water, and capable of covering the tip of an aeration tube by 5 cm or more. The instrument should interface with a computer through a USB or similar port interface, (computer supplied by ARS) and should include software that when operated through the computer, should monitor the conductivity of each probe and be able to automatically calculate the end point, or be configured to manually calculate the end-point, and save data. Should include instrument installation and familiarization/startup.

8. List the proposed vendor and contact information. Metrohm USA, Inc. Nicholas Walker, (312) 835-6105, nicholas.walker@metrohmusa.com, 9250 Camden Field Parkway, Riverview, FL 33578.

9. Describe why the proposed product is the only product that will meet your needs. The Rancimat 892 is the only equipment manufactured specifically for testing the oxidative stability index analysis by the method indicated under AOCS official method Cd 12b-92. and there are no other products that provides the same type of analysis. This system is used for AOCS and ISO approved methods necessary to use for ARS research to determine Oxidative Stability Index (OSI) and the only other equipment known to provide this analysis is no longer manufactured or sold and is considered obsolete, such that even the supplies for this equipment are no longer sold. Metrohm only, provides installation, training and technical support and any OEM replacement parts needed for successful mailto:nicholas.walker@metrohmusa.com operation. In addition, the Rancimat 892 will be used to replace an existing Metrohm Rancimat 743 that is currently used by the researchers for the same exact purpose, but is over 16 years old and is obsolete and no longer serviced by the manufacturer. The Rancimat 892 will provide seamless transition and ability to transfer research results over years.

10. Certification:

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

Technical Representative Date

11. 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

12. Level Above the CO Approval:

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.

Supervisory Contracting Officer Date

7. Describe the requirement. Please note that the requirement is the minimum acceptable specification or capability, and is not necessarily the best in the industry. Please note whether any additional follow-on work is anticipated in response to the c...