A5_JOFOC_Redacted.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(SOLE OR SINGLE SOURCE)

In accordance with FAR Parts 6.1 and 13.104, this request for a noncompetitive acquisition is hereby submitted for consideration for acquisition approval.

1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE AGENCY AND THE CONTRACTING

ACTIVITY:

Requesting Agency: USDA-APHIS-WS

Contracting Activity:

USDA APHIS MRPBS AAMD

250 Marquette Ave Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401

2. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING

APPROVED:

Due to the circumstances described below, the APHIS, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center request the following be acquired using a noncompetitive procurement in support of program mission requirements (i.e.

conducting wildlife damage management research).

3. A DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, OR SERVICES

REQUIRED TO MEET AGENCY NEEDS (INCLUDING THE ESTIMATED

VALUE OF THE ACQUISITION INCLUSIVE OF OPTIONS):

Purchase of two Bioflo 120 Bioreactors at a total price of $75727.10.

4. IDENTIFICATION OF THE STATUATORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING

NONCOMPETITIVE ACQUISITIONS:

FAR 6.302-1 Only one responsible source - Citations: 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) or 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1).

5. A DEMONSTRATION THAT THE PROPOSED CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE

QUALIFICATIONS OR THE NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES

USE OF THE AUTHORITY CITED:

Microbial bioreactors are systems generally used for the production of biological products such as recombinant proteins, through processes such as fermentation. While the bioreactor requested in this document may be used for such purposes, the primary need of this system is for novel R&D into the processes of coevolution of pathogens and commensal microorganisms in environments which simulate the wildlife-livestock interface. This research need excludes the possibility to use most bioreactor systems, as they do not have the physical capability or monitoring platforms to perform the planned experiments.

6. A DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS ARE

SOLICITED FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS IS

PRACTICABLE, INCLUDING WHETHER A NOTICE WAS, OR WILL BE,

PUBLICIZED AS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION

(FAR) SUBPART 5.2, AND IF NOT, WHICH EXCEPTION UNDER FAR 5.202

APPLIES:

The NWRC scientist seeking this product reached out to multiple companies which supply bioreactor systems including Eppendorf, Sartorius, and INFORS HT. Quotations were also obtained for a system produced by INFORS HT, however the technical specifications of this unit were not optimal for the proposed experiments.

7. A DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE

ANTICIPATED COST TO THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAIR AND

REASONABLE, AND THE BASIS FORTHAT DETERMINATION:

The cost of the two BioFlo Reactors is fair at a total price of $75727.10.

8. A DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED (FAR

PART 10) AND THE RESULTS, OR AN EXPLANATION OF THE REASON

MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT PERFORMED:

The NWRC scientist reviewed the technical specifications of bioreactor systems from Eppendorf, INFORS HT, and Sartorius. While most of these units have equivalent capability for batch process development (which is what bioreactors are typically used for), they do not have the physical capability nor monitoring instrumentation required for the experiments designed to assess the coevolution of pathogens and commensals in conditions which simulate the wildlife-livestock interface as specified by the NWRC scientist.

9. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL

AND OPEN COMPETITION - FAR 6.303-2(a)(9):

NA

10. A LISTING OF SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED, IN WRITING, AN

INTEREST IN THE ACQUISITON:

NA

11. A STATEMENT OF THE ACTIONS, IF ANY. THE AGENCY MAY TAKE

TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION

BEFORE ANY SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITION FOR THE SUPPLIES,

EQUIPMENT, OR SERVICES REQUIRED:

NA

12. I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS

JOFOC IS ACCURATE AND COMPLETETOTHE BEST OF MY

KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF.

Jeff Chandler 7/15/2020 Microbiologist

Contracting Officer

USDA NWRC