14 Sole Source Justification 1134514 EXECUTED.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Limited Source/Brand Name Justification

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) – Simplified Acquisitions

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

USDA APHIS PPQ FO Plant Germplasm Quarantine Program (PGQP)

2. Description of supply or service required to meet the agency’s needs.

The Plant Germplasm Quarantine Program in Beltsville, MD is upgrading their existing epMotion 5075 which is an automated, stand-alone, enclosed benchtop liquid handling system that allows the setup of multiple PCRs in total volumes of 10-50 μl in a high throughput fashion. The epMotion 5075 next generation Mercury system upgrade will permit PGQP to continue the high throughput workflow in the Molecular Testing Lab which is essential to pathogen testing. This enables the program to release plants from quarantine in a timely manner to stakeholders. This purchase involves upgrading the epMotion system to modern specifications - ALL components including software for epMotion system will be replaced except for the outer housing and power supply.

3. The rationale or circumstances for limiting competition.

Since this is an upgrade and not a new purchase, the upgrade is limited to purchase only through Eppendorf not their dealers. It is necessary to have all Eppendorf OEM parts replaced, new Eppendorf proprietary software, and specialist installation and training. Eppendorf is the sole provider authorized to perform this upgrade. To ensure current warranty coverage, any maintenance, replacement of components and internal adjustments must be carried out by trained and certified Eppendorf personnel.

The epMotion 5075 next generation Mercury system upgrade must include all Eppendorf OEM parts, an extension plate (needed to replace current plate, which is no longer made), labor, travel, and a 1-year warranty.

On-site support, training, and a customized user guide by a certified Eppendorf Field Specialist must be provided. On-site Specialist must be willing to program the requested application methods and optimize all liquid classes needed for the application. The epMotion workflow must be customized to meet the users’ requests in advance and tested for final approval. The Eppendorf specialist must conduct and provide a customized training and user guide to including all necessary elements for proper use of this workflow.

Reliability of the unit is also critical due to the costs and time associated with molecular plant pathogen detection and the high throughput workflow. Due to the equipment already being utilized by our lab, the use of other companies providing an upgrade of equipment would interfere with current equipment protocols.

The proprietary nature of software to run the equipment and the importance of compatibility with existing equipment prevents the use of other companies to upgrade the unit. Thus, Eppendorf is the only company that can fulfill the requirement for the upgrade for the epMotion 5075 unit.

4. A description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Market research was conducted, but it was determined that no other vendors are capable of fulfilling the requirement.

5. Estimated price, including all options, if applicable.

The estimated total cost is $26,610.30.

6. Recommended source(s).

Company: EPPENDORF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

UEI: TFJQUU2LKVE7

Company Address: 175 Freshwater BLVD, Enfield, Connecticut 06082 Company Point of Contact: Phillip Hebert, hebert.p@eppendorf.com, 919-255-8617

Certifications

Supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel and which form the basis for this justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.

Jennifer McCallister Program Manager

The information contained in this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief and in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.106-1(b)(1), I hereby determine the circumstances described above deem only one source, or limited sources, reasonably available and competition is precluded for the reasons indicated in this document.

Robert Zeglin Contracting Officer