A05_JA for Under SAT REDACTED_123A9426C0010.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Decision to Restrict Competition under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

Identification Number: 123A9426C0010

Rev. 3/4/26

In accordance with the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Overhaul (RFO) FAR

12.102 (a), the following documents the decision to restrict competition for this acquisition.

(1) Mission Area and Contracting Activity.

Requisition Number: 1168172 and 1168366

Requesting Activity Agency: FSIS-OPHS

Contracting Activity: FSIS-OM-PcMB

(2) Estimated Value

Period Fiscal Year Total

BASE FY26 $65,000.00

Option 1 FY27 $65,000.00 Option 2 FY28 $65,000.00 Option 3 FY29 $65,000.00 Option 4 FY30 $65,000.00 Subtotal $325,000.00

Evaluation of FAR 52.217-8 $32,500.00 Grand Total $357,500.00

(3) Brief Description of Supplies or Services

US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) requires maintenance, calibration, technical support, and software update services for the proprietary ViewPoint Continuous Environmental Monitoring System manufactured by Mesa Laboratories. This includes support for ViewPoint VPx, VPx Pro 6, and Essentials hardware components such as sensors, probes, and communication devices; the ViewPoint software applications (on‑premises and cloud); and the CheckPoint hardware line. The services must follow Mesa Laboratories’ proprietary installation, calibration, and validation procedures, which ensure system integrity and compliance with their ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited Quality Assurance processes.

(4) Suggested Source

The suggested contractor is:

MESA LABORATORIES INC.

12100 W 6TH AVE.

LAKEWOOD, CO 80228-1252

UEI: N36KBDHE4D23

(5) Justification for Restricting Competition and the Basis for that Decision.

A. Explain the unique qualifications/characteristics of the proposed contractor or product and why no other contractor or product/service can meet the Government's need.

Mesa Laboratories, Inc. is the sole manufacturer, intellectual property rights holder, and exclusive authorized provider of all ViewPoint hardware, software, and related continuous environmental monitoring components. All ViewPoint sensors and probes are manufactured using Mesa Laboratories trade secrets and undergo proprietary calibration and quality assurance processes. The ViewPoint software is developed solely for use with Mesa Laboratories hardware and may only be updated, upgraded, patched, or serviced by Mesa Laboratories personnel under authorized customer support agreements. The combination of proprietary hardware, software licensing restrictions, and integrated system architecture prevents third‑party vendors from servicing, repairing, or modifying any part of the system. Mesa Laboratories does not authorize any third‑party contractor to install, calibrate, or service its Continuous Monitoring Systems; any such action voids warranties and may invalidate service agreements. Because FSIS relies on installed proprietary systems that must be serviced exclusively by the manufacturer to remain functional and compliant, competition is not feasible.

B. Describe market research conducted and the results or the reason why no market research was conducted.

Market research determined that Mesa Laboratories does not authorize third‑party service providers to sell, install, calibrate, or maintain the ViewPoint Continuous Environmental Monitoring System. The proprietary nature of both the hardware and software, combined with licensing restrictions, prevents any alternative sources from providing compliant maintenance or support. Installation, calibration, and validation require Mesa‑trained technicians using proprietary Installation and Operational Qualification (IOQ) protocols, and any attempt by non‑authorized personnel may void warranties and result in the cancellation of support agreements. Based on this research and manufacturer documentation, Mesa Laboratories is the only source capable of meeting FSIS operational requirements.

FSIS continues to review emerging environmental monitoring technologies to determine whether competitive, non‑proprietary alternatives may meet future laboratory requirements. However, replacing the current installed ViewPoint system would require a complete overhaul of hardware, software, sensor arrays, and facility validation procedures—resulting in significant operational disruption and considerably higher cost. For this current requirement, no commercially available alternatives can interface with or service the existing proprietary Mesa Laboratories system. FSIS will continue to conduct market research in future acquisition planning cycles to identify competitive opportunities when they become viable.

Certifications & Approvals

(6) Technical / Requirements Personnel Certification I certify this requirement meets the Government’s minimum need and that the supporting data, which forms a basis for this justification, is complete and accurate.

Name OPHS Personnel

(7) Contracting Officer’s Certification I certify that the data supporting the recommended use of other than full and open competition accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. I hereby approve this justification.

Monika Masei Contracting Officer

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