RFQ 36C24622Q1042 Single Source Justification MPT to SAT-.pdf

VHAPG Part 813.106 Simplified Acquisition Procedures: Soliciting from a Single Source Attachment 1: Single Source Justification for SAP under the SAT

Last Updated: 02/01/22 Page 1 of 2

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification for Single Source Awards IAW FAR 13.106-1 For

Over Micro-Purchase Threshold but Not Exceeding the SAT ($250K)

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C246-22-AP-4970

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 06, Network Contracting Office (NCO) 6, Purchase Request# 558-22-4-2734-0270, Durham VAMC, NC.

Brief Description of Supplies/ Services required and the intended use/Estimated Amount: The purpose of this contracting activity and justification for other than full and open competition is to procure processing services using the 10X Spatial Gene Expression platform for Dr. Williamson’s work through the National Center for PTSD through the Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), located within the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), Durham, NC.

2. Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one source, with the reason no other supplies or services can be used: The VISN 6 MIRECC is organized as a VA Central Office-funded translational medicine center in which the overarching goal is the clinical assessment and treatment of post-deployment mental illness, and the development of novel mental health interventions through basic and clinical research. A major MIRECC initiative is to utilize cutting edge genetic analyses to help in the assessment and treatment of OIF/OEF mental health needs. The value of genetic analysis is that it may help to identify which individuals will develop PTSD and allow for clinicians to provide more effective and individual-specific treatments. The method is to provide genetic and neuroanatomical information that will serve as genetic biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of PTSD in veteran populations along with providing targets for treatment. Proposed is a new contract with Duke Molecular and Physiology Institute – Molecular Genomics Core (Duke MGC).

Services are to be acquired by Duke MGC include activities that will provide one 10X Tissue optimization slide to optimize permeabilization conditions. The MGC will process 48 samples placed on 10X Spatial Gene Expression slides per manufacturer instructions to generate 92 final libraries.

The proposed vendor, Duke MGC, is the sole source for this procurement because the vendor offers several unique advantages to the timely, efficient and effective completion of this project. This vendor is the 10X Genomics Certified Service Provider and can demonstrate experience in using brain tissue on the 10X Spatial Transcriptomics platform. Duke MGC has the select level of expertise and qualifications sufficient to perform this specific 10X Spatial Transcriptomics platform; and is geographically located in very close proximity to the Durham VA for proper oversight, monitoring https://www.acquisition.gov/?q=/browse/far/13

VHAPG Part 813.106 Simplified Acquisition Procedures: Soliciting from a Single Source Attachment 1: Single Source Justification for SAP under the SAT

Last Updated: 02/01/22 Page 2 of 2 and close management. Duke MGC has already completed 10X Spatial Transcriptomics contracts with Durham VAMC and this will be a continuation of that project. In addition, given their geographic proximity to the Durham VA, samples for sequencing can be delivered by hand. This will result in lower total cost for the work and will mitigate the risk that samples will be lost or destroyed during shipment. In the past, samples shipped from our facility have been rendered useless because they were not delivered and/or received from the shipping area in a timely manner. Accordingly, the MGC is the only firm capable of providing the supplies and services described in Section III above without the Veteran’s Health Administration experiencing substantial duplication of cost that could not be expected to be recovered through competition.

3. Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted: In accordance with FAR Part 10 Market research was performed to determine if any other vendors were suited to provide the required services described in the performance work statement. A search of NAICS Code 325413 and key word “ Genomics Stain and Samples” returned no SDVOSB or VOSB vendors. This requirement is related to an ongoing VA research program that has an educational affiliation with Duke University, under the statutory authority of 41 U.S.C. 3304 (a) (3) (b).

4. Contracting Officer's Certification: Purchase is approved in accordance with FAR13.106-1(b). I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Daleta Coles Date Contracting Officer https://acquisition.gov/far/current/html/Subpart%2013_1.html#wp1125466