Sole Source/Brand Name Justification Summary

This is a Sole Source/Brand Name Justification document for a commercial products acquisition under simplified procedures below the $350,000 simplified acquisition threshold.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Environmental Laboratory (EL), in coordination with USACE Reach-back Operations Center (UROC), seeks to procure nine (9) Sci-Aps X-555 handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzers for geochemical analysis. These analyzers are required for expeditionary teams to conduct rapid, on-site environmental assessments and baseline surveys in remote areas, reducing time and costs associated with sample transport and off-site laboratory analysis. The acquisition is structured as a new requirement with firm-fixed pricing using other funds. The total estimated dollar value is redacted in the document.

The justification establishes that the Sci-Aps X-555 is the sole product meeting the Government's essential technical requirements, specifically the 55 kV excitation capability and geochemical calibration packages necessary for rare earth element (REE) analysis. Market research identified multiple manufacturers (Thermo-Fisher Scientific, Evident formerly Olympus, and Bruker); however, no alternative met all required technical and interoperability specifications for compatibility with existing UROC ETFO kits. While Sci-Aps is the sole manufacturer, the procurement will not restrict to Sci-Aps as the exclusive source but instead be limited to the brand name Sci-Aps X-555 Geo-Chem Analyzer. Two authorized distributors were identified to maximize competition: SCIAPS, Inc. (CAGE 6ZB94, small business, Andover, MA) and Government Scientific Source, Inc. (CAGE 0S908, small business, Reston, VA). The requirement is set-aside for small business concerns. NAICS 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) applies, with a standard small business size of 1,000 employees. The supplies are commercial products offered for both governmental and non-governmental entities. There is no previous procurement history for this specific item.