A16_ARI_Water_Quality_Single_Source_Justification_2_1.pdf
PDF 2 MB Posted
- Attached to
- OR-KLAMATH FALLS FWO-ANALYSIS
- Solicitation number
- 140FS126P0242
About this file
This is a Single Source Justification form (FWS Form 3-0034) for a federal procurement under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (KFFWO).
The requirement is for nutrient analysis laboratory services and associated sampling supplies for water quality monitoring, with a performance period of August 15, 2026 through December 31, 2029. The specific services include a full nutrient panel with filtering to measure total Kjeldahl nitrogen, ammonia, nitrate/nitrite, total phosphorus, total dissolved phosphorus, and orthophosphate, with approximately 30 samples anticipated annually. No formal market research was conducted because ARI Labs has served as the analytical laboratory for this project to date, and switching laboratories mid-project would introduce methodological discontinuity that could compromise data comparability and trend analysis across the multi-year dataset. While other laboratories are technically capable of performing standard nutrient analyses, none can replicate the project's existing instrumentation, calibration standards, detection limits, and analytical protocols without introducing unacceptable variability. The proposed costs from ARI Labs are considered fair and reasonable based on pricing history and comparison with other qualified laboratories such as the Sprague River Water Quality Lab. ARI Labs is qualified based on its established role as the analytical laboratory for this project, ensuring consistent instrumentation, calibration, detection limits, and analytical protocols necessary to maintain data integrity. The Program/Project Officer (Megan Skinner) recommended and certified the justification on July 17, 2026, and the Contracting Officer (Chelsea DeVivo) approved the sole source acquisition procedures under FAR Part 13 on September 1, 2026.
View the file
On GovTribe
Work with this file
- Download the original file
- Contacts named in this file
- Similar government files
- Ask GovTribe AI about this file
Text version
FWS Form 3-0034 (Rev. 10/2020) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1. Description of Need
3. Other Capable Sources
2. Market Research Conducted
Pursuant to FAR subpart 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) and (ii), for purchases not exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT), Contracting Officers may solicit from only one source if the circumstances deem only one source is reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization).
Instructions: The information in the text boxes are provided as sample language or to indicate a needed fill-in. Sample language should be removed from the final document. All text boxes require information and shall not be left blank.
SINGLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION
(UNDER SAT)
JOINT ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS
Acquisitions Operations
4. Barriers to Competition
5. Contractor's Qualifications
6. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost
7. Recommendation and Certification by Program Office
Based on the above justification, I recommend this acquisition to be conducted using sole source acquisition procedures. I hereby certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Program / Project Officer
8. Contracting Officer Certification and Approval: Under SAT
Based on the above justification, I hereby certify and approve the use of sole source acquisition procedures under FAR Part 13 for this purchase.
Contracting Officer
| Text3: Other laboratories are technically capable of performing the required nutrient analyses (total Kjeldahl nitrogen, ammonia, nitrate/nitrite, total phosphorus, total dissolved phosphorus, and orthophosphate); this is not a service requiring unique or scarce expertise in the way that specialized taxonomic or toxicological analysis does. However, no other source can perform this work without introducing a risk of discontinuity into an existing, multi-year dataset. Differences between laboratories in instrumentation, calibration standards, detection limits, and analytical protocols can introduce variability that compromises comparability of nutrient concentrations across sampling years. Because this project depends on consistent, comparable data over time to support trend analysis and water quality assessment, no source other than ARI Labs can continue this work without compromising the integrity of the existing dataset. |
| Text2: Formal market research (e.g., an RFI, sources sought notice, or solicitation of competing quotes) was not conducted, as it was determined unnecessary given that ARI Labs has served as the analytical laboratory for nutrient analysis on this project to date, and this requirement extends that existing service through the remainder of the project period. While other laboratories are technically capable of performing standard nutrient analysis, a competitive solicitation was not pursued because switching laboratories partway through an ongoing, multi-year dataset introduces a risk of methodological discontinuity that a lower-cost or otherwise qualified alternative could not offset. This determination relies on the Project Officer's direct knowledge of the project's sampling and data history and the risks associated with a change in analytical source. |
| Text1: KFFWO has a need for nutrient analysis laboratory services and associated sampling supplies for water quality monitoring. Period of performance for this contract is August 15, 2026 – December 31, 2029. |
Nutrient Analysis
● Full nutrient panel with filtering: total Kjeldahl nitrogen, ammonia, nitrate/nitrite, total phosphorus, total dissolved phosphorus, and orthophosphate.
● We anticipate requesting these analyses for approximately 30 samples annually, subject to water quality conditions and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sampling capacity.
Nutrient Analysis Supplies
● Cooler with bottles, requested by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at least one week prior to sampling.
● We anticipate requesting a cooler approximately monthly, with 4 to 6 bottles per month, subject to sampling needs.
Data management and invoicing
● ARI Labs' standard turnaround time and standard reporting format is acceptable.
● Results and invoices will be submitted to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (megan_skinner@fws.gov, unless otherwise noted).
| Text4: No artificial or unnecessary barriers to competition have been created in the development of this requirement. The requirement reflects only the specific nutrient parameters and continuity of laboratory source necessary to preserve an existing, multi-year water quality dataset, and is not structured to favor ARI Labs beyond what is inherent to maintaining that continuity. The nutrient analyses themselves are commercially available from multiple qualified laboratories; the limitation to a single source arises solely from the ongoing nature of this project and the data comparability concerns inherent to switching analytical laboratories mid-project, not from any restrictive specification introduced by KFFWO. | |
| Text6: Based on pricing history and comparison with other qualified laboratories, the proposed cost is considered fair and reasonable. Proposed costs are consistent with ARI Labs' June 2026 invoice for the same scope of nutrient analyses and supplies. ARI Labs was previously assessed and determined to offer costs comparable to those of the Sprague River Water Quality Lab, the laboratory most commonly used for nutrient analyses elsewhere in the Upper Klamath Basin, indicating that ARI Labs' pricing is consistent with the broader regional market for this type of analysis rather than reflecting an unreasonable premium associated with a sole source award. | |
| 2026-07-17T13:11:43-0700 | |
| MEGAN SKINNER |
| 2026-09-01T07:00:48-0500 | |
| CHELSEA DEVIVO |
Text5: ARI Labs is qualified to perform this work based on its established role as the analytical laboratory for this project's nutrient dataset to date. ARI Labs' continued involvement ensures consistent instrumentation, calibration, detection limits, and analytical protocols across sampling years, which is necessary to maintain the internal consistency and comparability of a long-term water quality dataset used to support trend analysis and water quality assessment. This continuity of methodology, rather than any singular or otherwise unreplicable technical capability, is the basis for ARI Labs' qualification to perform this work without compromising dataset integrity.
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .