A16_Brand_Name_Only_J_A.docx

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

1. Contracting Agency and Activity. The Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey plans to contract by means other than full and open competition. This document sets forth the justification and approval as required by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1).

2. Nature of Action Being Approved. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center (GEMSC), Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory (RBPGL) request procurement on a brand name basis of a Shimadzu Scientific Instruments TOC-LCSH total organic carbon analyzer and ASI-L autosampler.

3. Description of Supplies or Services. Shimadzu TOC-LCSH Total Organic Carbon Analyzer, Shimadzu ASI-L autosampler for 24 mL vials, and Shimadzu LabSolutions TOC DB software & license (at least 10-year validity). The instrument must be able to analyze aqueous samples for total organic carbon (TOC), purgeable organic carbon (POC), and non-purgeable organic carbon (NPOC). The TOC-LCHS must have the following capabilities/accessories: POC measurements kit, high salts maintenance kit, B-type halogen scrubber, high salts combustion tube kit, soda lime absorber, air piping set (20 m), carrier gas pressure regulator valve, 24-mL autosampler vials, external sparge kit, suspended solids kit for the flow line, gas regulator for the carrier gas tank, SO3, mist catcher, consumables kit for TOC-LC*H, all required reagent and solvent kits for instrument installation and setup, all cords and cables necessary to power the instrument, autosampler, and connect the instrument to a computer, minimum one year manufacturer warranty, manufacturer tier 2 installation and customer familiarization, additional 3-year value plan service agreement provided by the manufacturer..

4. Estimated Dollar Value.

5. Statutory Authority. The proposed action may be awarded on a brand name only basis under the authority FAR 13.106-1(b)(1).

6. Rationale Supporting Use of Citation in No. 5. The instrument we seek to replace with this purchase is ten years old and has reached its end of life. Our current instrument has become unreliable and requires persistent, time-consuming, and costly repairs, leading to significant downtime and reduced lab throughput. This instrument supports long-term projects requiring continuity of unique analytical methods and access to historical data only accessible using Shimadzu’s TOC-L software. Long-term projects include, and are not limited to, studying natural attenuation of hydrocarbon spills in the environment, oil and gas wastewater geochemical composition studies across the United States, water quality monitoring funded by USGS and state cooperators, and critical minerals in coal mine drainages across Appalachia. We require a new instrument with updated software that allows us to use the same customized methods and allows us to access, process, and work with our historical data. Only the Shimadzu TOC-L CSH with ASI-L autosampler can satisfactorily meet the required specifications and software while maintaining continuity of data. No other manufacturer can meet the Government’s minimum requirements for this equipment.

7. Other Information. N/A

8. The Efforts to Identify Additional Sources Including the Market Research Conducted. Market research consisted of Google searches and searches on known scientific equipment reseller websites. No resellers or authorized representatives were found. Two other manufacturers’ instrument specifications were reviewed: Skalar and Teledyne LABS. These two manufacturers’ instruments did not meet the government’s minimum needs.

9. Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition. This procurement is expected to be a one-time requirement. There are no planned acquisitions for, or related to, this requirement, and none are likely to develop. Future purchases of other instruments will be competed to the maximum extent possible.

10. Recommendation and Certification from Program Office

Based on the above, I recommend this acquisition be conducted on a limited source basis. I certify that technical data which form a basis for this justification, that are the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel are complete and accurate.