B01_Sole_Source_Bruker_Redacted_2.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION FOR ACQUISITION UNDER THE

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

PR 0040639307

GEMSC QUANTAX Micro-XRF (XTrace 2)

1. Contracting Agency and Activity. The Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey, plans to contract on a sole source basis. This document sets forth the justification and approval as required by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1).

2. Nature of Action Being Approved. This requirement is a one-time purchase of a QUANTAX Advanced Integrated Micro-XRF (µ-XRF) Source with XTrace 2 µ-XRF for the existing Automated Mineralogy Analyzer (AMA) microscope. The proposed awardee is Bruker

AXS LLC..

3. Description of Supplies or Services. The QUANTAX Advanced Integrated Micro-XRF (µ- XRF) Source with XTrace 2 µ-XRF measures trace element concentrations in the tens of parts per million range in individual minerals at the grain scale. The µ-XRF Source will fully integrate into the current AMA microscope, which is optimized for rapid and accurate identification and quantification of minerals. The requiring office is the Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center (GEMSC).

4. Estimated Dollar Value.

5. Statutory Authority. The proposed action may be awarded on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) – only one source reasonably available.

6. Rationale Supporting Use of Citation in No. 5.

Bruker AXS LLC is the only company that manufactures a µ-XRF Source and software that can be fully integrated into the existing equipment, AMA microscope. The total value of the existing equipment is approximately $730,651.25. The XTrace 2 µ-XRF Source is the only equipment compatible with the QUANTAX Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) system that the AMA microscope is equipped with. Adding this item to the existing equipment will result in a dual beam source system (electron beam and photon (x-ray) beam), unlike any USGS instrument, that can generate innovative cutting-edge data. The ability to use a single instrument in order to quantify modal mineralogy, major and minor element microchemistry and trace-element mineral chemistry at the tens of parts per million range at the sub-grain scale will provide critical knowledge for energy, minerals, environmental health, and paleoclimate research directly advancing priorities of the Minerals Resources Program (MRP), the Energy Resources Program (ERP), and the Florescence Bascom Science Center.

7. Other Information.

Bruker AXS LLC has proprietary rights as the owner of all software, hardware and electronics for this equipment. There are no resellers of this equipment.

PR 0040639307

8. The Efforts to Identify Additional Sources Including the Market Research Conducted.

The internet was utilized by the end user to search for similar equipment, and it was determined that the µ-XRF Source manufactured by Bruker is the only Source available on the market that can fully integrate with detectors and software on the AMA SEM instrument currently in inventory.

A sources sought notice, 140G0124Q0007, was posted on SAM.gov from 10/12/2023 until 10/18/2023. The manufacturer, Bruker AXS, responded as well as one other source, which does not offer a compatible product to existing inventory.

9. Future Plans to Permit Competition. Any future, related procurement will be competed to the maximum extent allowable. Market research will be conducted utilizing industry experts, project staff, internet research and related literature to identify valid sources.

10. Recommendation and Certification from Program Office

Based on the above, I recommend this acquisition be conducted on a sole source basis and certify the above statements are true and accurate.

11. Certifications from the Contracting Officer:

a. The anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable based on a comparison to previous award pricing and contractor sales history.

b. This justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

12. Approvals

PR 0040639307