Attachment 6 - Brand Name Justification.pdf

Revised10/31/2016

FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b)

BRAND-NAME JUSTIFICATION

“Source Selection Information – see FAR 2.101 and 3.104”

1. Identification of the Agency and Contracting Activity.

a. Federal Agency and Contracting Activity.

Department of Health and Human Services

National Institute of Health

National Institute on Drug Abuse

b. Sponsoring Organization.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Laboratory of

Functional and Molecular Imaging (LFMI)

c. Project Officer Information.

• Project Officer Name. Angie Dyke

• Mailing Address. 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892

• E-mail Address. angie.dyke@nih.gov

• Telephone Number. (301) 204-0370

2. Project Description.

a. Name of Item or Project Title. Spare cryocooler set for NIH human 11.7 T

MRI magnet

b. Description of the Item or Service.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Laboratory of Functional and Molecular Imaging (LFMI) is home to an ultra-high magnetic field, 11.7 T, human MRI scanner, one of the highest-field magnets with such a large bore in the world. The magnet is expected to be on field by late spring or summer 2024. Once energized, it needs to be kept at a stable low temperature of

2.2 K (-456 ºF). The magnet is filled with liquid Helium, pumped to ~50 mbar, to achieve this. To minimize the loss of liquid helium, the magnet is equipped with thermal shields that reduce the heat load to the system.

The shields themselves are cooled by cryocoolers. These are mechanical devices that need to be replaced after about a year of service. To ensure that

NINDS has the replacement parts available when it needs them, it requires a set of cryocoolers (the system has three in total), along with auxiliary parts (a compressor to run them and a set of helium lines to connect them to it).

mailto:angie.dyke@nih.gov

3. Market Research (see FAR Part 1 0).

Market Research was conducted and the results of market research are detailed in the attached market research document.

4. Acquisition Type.

This acquisition exceeds $10,000 and not expected to exceed $250,000, and conducted in accordance with FAR Part 13—Simplified Acquisition Procedures.

5. Acquisition Authority. This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Federal

Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 13.106-1 (b) Soliciting from a single source. (1)

For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, or industrial mobilization).

6. Justification Rationale.

I hereby determine that the required cryocoolers are manufactured by only one source, and competition is precluded for the reasons indicated below. There are no substitutes available.

This acquisition may only be fulfilled using the following organization’s brand-name items:

Sumitomo (SHI) Cryogenics

1833 Vultee Streeet

Allentown, PA 18103

Point of Contact (PoC): Mellisa Dale, (610) 791-6730

The estimated cost of the required item or service is $114,506.00. This includes $60,50 for delivery of the complete set of spare parts and $54,000.00 for refurbishment costs.

The initial set of spare parts is required to be delivered by 12/31/2024. Refurbisment will take place on an annual basis for a period of four years. The estimated period of performance is as follows:

Base Period: 08/01/2024 – 07/31/2025

Option Period One: 08/01/2025 – 07/31/2026

Option Period Two: 08/01/2026 – 07/31/2027

Option Period Three: 08/01/2027 – 07/31/2028

Option Period Four: 08/01/2028 – 07/31/2029

Brand-name or Items peculiar to one manufacturer:

The essential characteristics of the required cryocoolers that limit the availability to a single manufacturer are:

The cryocoolers in question are to be used to replace existing machines integrated into

NINDS’ 11.7 T magnet. They are essential in keeping the magnet operational. Without these, the magnet would not be able to maintain its field. NIH has estimated that restarting (cooling down and re-energizing) would cost NINDS close to $1M so properly maintaining them is extremely important. The magnet is specifically designed to interface with the specified cryo-coolers and only the SHI coolers of the specified types will fit and function properly. This is due to the particular dimensions of the coolers, the location and size of all the bolt holes to mount them in the magnet and also their integration with the helium compressors, which power the coolers and which are also manufactured by SHI.

To guarantee compatibility with NINDS’ 11.7 T magnet, it is therefore essential to replace the current coolers with the exact same type and brand.

7. Any other facts supporting the justification. None.