Sole_Source_Revision_Faxitron_Multifocus_Revised_7-26-16_signed.pdf

USDA, APHIS, MARKETING AND REGULATORY SERVICES

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION (JOFOC)

In accordance with the authority granted under FAR Part 13, 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-S&T-CPHST Miami Laboratory

13601 Old Cutler Road, Building 63 Coral Gables, FL 33158

Contracting Activity:

USDA, APHIS, MRPBS, ASD

Minneapolis Procurement Branch Butler Square, Fifth Floor 100 North 6th Street Minneapolis, MN 55403

2. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING

APPROVED:

Purchase of Faxitron MultiFocus x-ray imaging system.

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

REQUIRED TO MEET AGENCY NEEDS (INCLUDING THE ESTIMATED

VALUE OF THE ACQUISITION INCLUSIVE OF OPTIONS):

The Faxitron MultiFocus is a compact and fully shielded bench-top digital radiography system for x-ray imaging. It has a 10x15cm CMOS detector, a wide energy range from 10-50 kV, and a seed viability analysis and counting software package, making it ideal for imaging a broad range of plant and commodity samples and developing quantitative methods for seed pest detection on x-ray images.

4. IDENTIFICATION OF THE STATUATORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING

NONCOMPETITIVE ACQUISITIONS:

The property or services needed by the executive agency are available from only one responsible source and no other type of property or services will satisfy the needs of the executive agency

FAR 13.106-1 (b) Soliciting from a single source.

(1) For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold.

(i) Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name or industrial mobilization).

5. A DEMONSTRATION THAT THE PROPOSED CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE

QUALIFICATIONS OR THE NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES

USE OF THE AUTHORITY CITED:

Requirement to purchase the Faxitron MultiFocus x-ray imaging system for the following reasons:

We require a table-top cabinet x-ray system with energy range between 10-50 kV and maximum 1.0 mA current. These settings are necessary to image a broad range of seed, plant and commodity samples.

We require a focal spot size of ≤ 20 µm because we have shown that a focal spot size of ≤ 20 µm meets our needs for detecting pests in seeds, fruits, and wood products. The MultiFocus system meets this requirement because it has a focal spot size of 11 µm.

We require the system software to include an analysis package for quantifying (counting) and identifying seed viability. X-ray image interpretation is qualitative and can be dependent upon user experience. We require seed viability analysis and counting software because it will allow us to develop quantitative methods for pest detection in seeds that are less dependent on user experience and human error. Having this software will improve the consistency and quality of our pest detection methods, and simplify the training process for personnel. The MultiFocus software is back-compatible with the software in the Faxitron MX-20 units which are currently owned by PPQ Plant Inspection Stations across the country. This backward compatibility will also simplify the process of transferring methods and training personnel.

We have limited space in our irradiation laboratory, so we need a compact table-top unit.

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:

We attempted to find another manufacturer with a digital radiography system that meets our required specifications, but were unsuccessful. To our knowledge, Faxitron is the only manufacturer that meets all of the requirements described in Item 5. Despite an online search, we couldn’t find any acceptable alternative x-ray units meeting our specifications.

7. A DETERMINATION BY THAT THE ANTICIPATED COST TO THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAIR

AND REASONABLE, AND THE BASIS FOR THAT DETERMINATION:

How will we be able to tell is the price is reasonable if no other equipment with these features exist? Is it similar to other equipment you have? Is the price in line with other similar but not the same equipment?

We believe the price is fair because the government previously had a contract with Faxitron and purchased MX 20 x-ray imaging systems at a similar price. The MX-20 is the predecessor to this model.

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:

What sites did you search and what other equipment did you consider that did not have what is needed?

We searched the following websites: Scienscope (kV too high, unit too large), Kubtec (Xpert 80 almost met our needs but did not fit our size/weight specifications; the Kubtec Xpert 40 benchtop version [not listed online] almost met our needs but does not [to our knowledge] offer the ≤ 20 µm focal spot or the seed viability analysis and counting software), Precision x-ray (did not produce units for imaging), Agilent (wrong detector type), cd-ndt.com (kV too high), Marietta NDT (unit too large), Avionix (kV too high).

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

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

See Items 5 and 6.

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

INTEREST IN THE ACQUISITON:

Kubtec is interested in the acquisition. To our knowledge, they do not have a product that meets all of our requirements.

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:

The agency is posting an intent to sole source announcement on FBO.gov for 15 days to make sure there are no other manufacturers out there that supply equipment that will meet these requirements.

12. I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS

JOFOC IS ACCURATE AND COMPLETETOTHE BEST OF MY

KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF.

Patricia Simon Date Contract Specialist

USDA/APHIS

ph:612-336-3460 Patricia.m.simon@aphis.usda.gov

PROGRAM MANAGER Date Branch :

Address:

Phone Number:

Print Name

Title

Albeam Typewritten Text Andrea Beam

Albeam Typewritten Text Agriculturist

Albeam Typewritten Text

(305) 278-4888

Albeam Typewritten Text