2- jofoc.docx

VII. Justification for other than Full and Open Competition

Demonstration that the proposed contractor(s) unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

The Uncle Platform requirement is based on intended experimental design, compatibility with current lab equipment, and the proven ability of the product to produce consistent and reliable data. Use of alternate products could negatively impact the manner in which samples are processed and analyzed. The Uncle Platform is the only instrument on the market to combine fluorescence, static light scattering (SLS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) in one instrument that determines the melting temperature Tm, aggregation onset point Tagg, and the size of proteins. Additionally, use of a different product from the one requested would require testing by lab personnel and would introduce unacceptable variables during research trials. To have successful research results, methods and parameters must be consistent. Furthermore, this equipment/parts will be utilized to analyze, store, and manipulate samples. Some of these samples are rare and extremely hard to replace/obtain. Utilizing any alternative that would jeopardize these rare samples and/or cause our research/data to be corrupted/destroyed is unacceptable. At this time and considering the human life aspect of this research, any change in research variables are unacceptable, the risk is too high.