A05_Justification for Under SAT_complete_Redacted.pdf

This is a Decision to Restrict Competition under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold issued by the United States Department of Agriculture.

The document authorizes a non-competitive procurement (Requisition Number 1169225) for service contract with FEI Company to inspect, service, and restart the Talos F200C G2 Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). The requesting activity is USDA APHIS VS NBAF located in Manhattan, Kansas, with the contracting activity being USDA APHIS MRPBS AAMD in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The estimated contract value is redacted. FEI Company, located at 9066 Payphere Circle, Chicago, Illinois (UEI: CL4ELDSNT465), is the sole suggested source.

The justification for restricting competition centers on the Talos F200C G2 TEM's unique technical requirements and FEI Company's exclusive capability to service it. The equipment operates on proprietary FEI software that controls all major functions including beam alignment, stage movement, vacuum systems, and camera systems. This software is not open-source, not licensed to third parties, and inaccessible for modification by non-FEI entities. Only FEI Company technicians possess the required manufacturer-certified expertise, credentials, and authorization to access the protected software environment, perform diagnostics, apply updates, and execute the necessary hardware component repairs. Market research confirmed no other vendor can meet the requirements. The service contract includes controlled startup, system stability verification, mechanical and electronic component inspection, full evaluation and restoration of the imaging system, detector calibration, and proprietary software verification. The contracting officer certified the justification on June 25, 2026.