A02.08 Brand Name Justification-redacted.pdf

ERDC Control No. FY21 - 2254

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

1. Agency/Contracting Activity: Engineer Research and Development Center – Construction and Engineering Research Laboratory (EDRC – CERL)

2. Description of Action:

Nature: New Requirement Follow-On Requirement Mod to Existing Purchase Order/Contract Number

Pricing: Firm-Fixed Price Time and Materials

Funds: OMA Other Funds: RDT&E

3. Description of Supplies/Services:

a. The total estimated dollar value of the proposed action is $228,408.43.

b. An upgrade to the ERDC-CERL Paint Technology Center’s Agilent 7890B Gas Chromatograph (GC) is needed to support current and future antimicrobial coating research. Specifically, a SPME autosampler and mass detector are required as well as manufacturer approved operational software and assistance with installation.

4. Authority: FAR 13.106-1(b) (1): For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), 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, brand name, or industrial mobilization.)

5. Reason for Authority Cited: The Paint Technology Center already owns an Agilent 7890B GC unit, and requires compatible equipment to meet the current research requirements. Briefly, a mold detection technology based on microbial volatile organic compound (MVOC) fingerprinting is being developed by CERL researchers that can detect fungal contamination in an indoor environment and localize it to a particular substrate. Procurement of Agilent brand equipment is the only method of meeting the government’s requirement.

6. Actions to Increase Competition: A competitive solicitation will be posted on the SAM.gov website open to the network of Agilent distributors.

7. Market Research: Market Research was conducted via the internet, expert opinion, and industry experts in April 2021 by Clint Arnett a Research Microbiologist with GC-MS experience. His findings reviled that successful modification of existing instrumentation is solely based on compatibility of newly added components. The current gas chromatograph will be fitted with a SPME sampling front loader and an additional detector (mass spectrometer). As Agilent is the manufacturer of the GC, compatibility of components is achieved through utilizing the same company as these components are specifically designed for the current GC exiting in the Paint Technology Center. Utilizing the same company also ensures that the warranty of the GC stays intact and that the entire system, if needed, can be serviced by the manufacturer. Only

ERDC Control No. FY21 - 2254 one company supplies autosamplers and mass detectors (including software) for the existing Agilent 7890B GC. This information was corroborated by speaking to mass spectroscopy experts at the University of Illinois.

8. Procurement History:

Previous Purchase Orders(s) or Contract(s): Yes No

Purchase order or contract number: W9132T-15-P-0044 Was action competed? Yes No If action was not competed, state the cited authority, summarize rationale: FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)

9. Additional information to support the justification: These upgrades will allow in-house generation of critical data to support current and future antimicrobial coating projects.

Ultimately, this acquisition will help support the ERDC mission to increase quality of life and preserve infrastructure on Army installations by laying the foundation for development of real-time mold sensors. Currently SPME GC-MS analysis is being performed via a service contract with the University of Illinois. Bringing this capability in-house will result in cost savings over time.

10. Technical/Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which is included in the abbreviated J&A is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Submitted By:

Position Title:

Email Address:

Signature:

Date:

11. Fair and Reasonable Price Determination: As Contracting Officer, I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable.

Basis for the determination: price analysis techniques.

12. Contracting Officer’s Approval:

I hereby certify that this Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Based on the foregoing, I approve this justification subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services and supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition

Signature:______________ Typed Name:

Title:

Date:

WILSON.REBEKAH.C

HRISTINE.138405915

Digitally signed by

WILSON.REBEKAH.CHRISTINE.138

4059151 Date: 2021.07.06 14:19:03 -05'00'

Andrea Thomas Digitally signed by Andrea Thomas Date: 2021.07.06 16:25:53 -05'00'