Sole_Source_Jakes_for_posting.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. AGENCY INFORMATION

USDA, Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) One Gifford Pinchot Drive

Madison, WI 53726-2398

2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION BEING APPROVED

a. Acquisition, by noncompetitive contract, upgrade the FPL Nanoindenter with the 3D OmniProbeTM for indentation and scratch analsys at nano- to micro-scale.

The Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) is the national research laboratory of the United States Forest Service, which is part of USDA.

b. Proposed vendor: Bruker (note that Bruker bought Hysitron and the company is now referred to as Bruker or Bruker-Hysitron) (https://www.bruker.com/products/surface-and-dimensional-analysis/nanomechanical-test-instruments.html)

3. DESCRIPTION OF WORK, INCLUDING ESTIMATED VALUE

a. History: The FPL Nanoindentation Lab was established in 2005 at the Forest

Products Laboratory with the original purchase of a Hysitron TI-900 TriboIndenter. Since then, the FPL Nanoindentation lab has been utilized to perform nanoscale mechanical property measurements of a wide variety of materials related to forest products, including wood cell walls, wood-adhesive bondlines, nanocellulose films, wood-plastic composites, and nanocellulose composites. Research from the FPL nanoindentation lab has resulted in over 50 research publications, over 80 offered and invited presentations at national and international conferences, and more than 15 national and international collaborations. The FPL Nanoindentation Lab is an integral component of the FPL and critical to its efforts to meet the Forest Service mission to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

b. Reason for the proposed Action: The existing FPL Nanoindentation Lab has limited capabilities. Currently, only small forces less than 10 mN can be applied and displacements smaller than 5 microns can be measured. These limitations prevent the ability to test meso-scale features, such as paper coatings and bulk properties of nanocomposites. The 3D OmniProbeTM will allow experiments to be performed at loads as high as 10 N with displacements as high as 80 microns.

The 3D OmniProbeTM will also allow scratch and wear testing of materials (e.g.

nanocellulose coatings and inks) at these larger length scales, which is necessary https://www.bruker.com/products/surface-and-dimensional-analysis/nanomechanical-test-instruments.html https://www.bruker.com/products/surface-and-dimensional-analysis/nanomechanical-test-instruments.html https://www.bruker.com/products/surface-and-dimensional-analysis/nanomechanical-test-instruments.html https://www.bruker.com/products/surface-and-dimensional-analysis/nanomechanical-test-instruments.html to overcome surface roughness issues on many of the coatings of interest. The 3D OmniProbeTM upgrade will vastly expand the capabilities of the FPL Nanoindentation Lab.

c. General description of requirement: Upgrade the Bruker-Hysitron TriboIndenter in the FPL Nanoindentation lab with a transducer capable of applying high loads (~10 N) and moving larger displacements (~80 microns). The ability for large lateral displacements (~150 mm) and later forces (~5 N) is also needed for scratch and wear testing.

d. Estimated Value: $70,000.00

4. STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The authority permitting other than full and open competition in this acquisition is:

a. FAR 6.302-3(a)(2), Only One Responsible Source, under the Application in

6.302-3(b)(1)(i). This authority allows for other than full and open competition when “there is a reasonable basis to concluded that the agency’s minimum needs can only be satisfied by Unique Supplies or services available for only one source or only one supplier with unique capabilities.”

5. PROPOSED CONTRACTOR’S QUALIFICATIONS

Bruker, who now owns Hysitron, is the only manufacturer of upgrades compatible with the Hysitron TriboIndenter in the FPL Nanoindentation Lab.

6. EFFORTS MADE TO OBTAIN COMPETITION

No other provider would be a feasible option, no other efforts were made to obtain competition.

7. DETERMINATION THAT ANTICIPATED COST WILL BE FAIR AND

REASONABLE

This determination will be made by the Contacting Officer at the time of award.

8. DESCRIPTION OF MARKET SURVEY

The equipment must be compatible with the nanoindenter in the current FPL Nanoindentation Lab, which is a Hysitron TriboIndenter. Bruker, who now owns Hysitron, is the only manufacturer of upgrades compatible with the Hysitron TriboIndenter. The Bruker 3D OmniProbeTM has the required specifications to upgrade the current nanoindenter in the FPL Nanoindentation Lab to meet FPL’s future research needs.

9. OTHER SUPPORTING FACTS

None

10. OTHER INTERESTED SOURCES

None.

11. ACTIONS TO OVER COME BARRIERS TO COMPETITION

In future procurements of this matter, we will re-examine the marketplace to determine if other companies have been certified to provide upgrades to the Bruker-Hysitron TriboIndenter. Currently, no other qualified source is available.

As required by FAR 6.303-1 and 6.303-2, the undersigned does herby certify that the data and information provided to support this recommendation for acquisition of circuit breakers, without providing for full and open competition, is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Prepared by: Joseph Jakes Date: 08/28/2019 Joseph Jakes, Research Materials Engineer

As Contracting Officer, I concur with this reasoning and the price is fair and reasonable.

Date:

Colleen Reittinger, Contracting Officer

29 August 2019