A05a_Part 8 JA for Under SAT REDACTED_123A9426P0033.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Only One Source Able to Provide the Products, Services, or Solutions

Under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold Identification Number: 1172859

Rev. 10/29/25

In accordance with the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 8.401 and General Services Administration Regulation (GSAR) 538.7104-3 (a), the following documents the decision to restrict competition for this acquisition.

(1) Mission Area and Contracting Activity.

Requisition Number: 1172859

Requesting Activity Agency: ARS-REE

Contracting Activity: FSIS-OM-PcMB

(2) Estimated Value

Period Fiscal Year Total

BASE FY26 $ 130,000

Grand Total $ 130,000

(3) Brief Description of Supplies or Services This acquisition involves procuring a complete suite of recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) components, such as pump sumps, degassing systems, moving bed biofilters (MBBR), low-head oxygenators (LHO), head tanks, heating and chilling controls, diffuser kits, control system panels, and related shipping, to support mission-essential broodstock nutrition and conditioning research at the National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center (NCWMAC), University of Maine. The components must integrate with existing Innovasea equipment that already meet ARS's strict technical and operational requirements.

(4) Suggested Source The suggested contractor is:

Innovasea Systems, Inc.

(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.

Innovasea is the only responsible source capable of supplying the required RAS components. The new equipment must integrate seamlessly with existing Innovasea systems at NCWMAC, including proprietary control panels, oxygenation systems, and physical infrastructure. The specifications require exact models, dimensions, mounting hardware, and integration features unique to Innovasea. No other vendor can provide a complete, compatible package that meets all technical and operational requirements.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-8#FAR_Subpart_8_4 https://www.acquisition.gov/fss-ordering-procedures

Several features such as oxygen solenoid panels, optical DO sensors, emergency oxygen integration, and proprietary control panel elements, are Innovasea-configured and cannot be replicated or modified by other vendors without compromising system function or voiding warranties.

ARS research on Atlantic salmon broodstock is mission-essential. Failure to procure the required components would prevent research critical to improving broodstock conditioning and increasing viable offspring.

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

Market research was conducted on April 24, 2026, including searches of USDA inventory, GSA, AbilityOne, Federal Prison Industries, open market sources, and interviews with industry experts. No alternative supplier was identified that could provide all required components as a complete, compatible package. Innovasea was confirmed as the only source able to meet the government’s minimum need. A Notice of Intent to Sole Source was also posted to sam.gov for 14 days with no responses received.

Certifications & Approvals

(1) 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 Title

(2) 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.

Name Contracting Officer

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