Attachment 1 - Brand Name Justification_12905B24Q0229.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

MANDATORY TEMPLATE FOR FEDERAL PROCUREMENTS UNDER THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

1. Estimated Dollar Value: $234,000.00

2. Anticipated Period of Performance: Delivery by 2/1/2025

3. Does the anticipated Period of Performance include option years? If no, explain.

No, option years are not required for this supply requirement.

4. Sources Sought Notice posted to Contract Opportunities and attached to this document?

☒ Yes ☐ No

5. Market Research conducted and attached to this document? If not, explain.

Yes, market research was conducted and is attached to this document.

Sources Sought Notice 12905B24SS0062 was publicized on SAM.gov Contracting Opportunities from 7/12/24 to 7/19/24. Four responses received, from: Percival-Scientific, BioChambers Inc., Controlled Environments Inc. (dba Conviron), and Samyak Solutions Inc., (a Conviron reseller).

Market Research was also included with the Requisition submitted from the Program Office. Contents included recent market research quotes for the desired item from Conviron, 3T Business Group, Fisher Scientific, and Samyak Solutions Inc. Additional information was provided in regards to existing Conviron equipment at the location and rationale why desired items were needed for compatibility.

6. Is this a new requirement or a follow-on to an expiring award?

☒ New requirement ☐ Follow-on to an expiring award

7. Describe the requirement. Please note that the requirement is the minimum acceptable specification or capability, and is not necessarily the best in the industry. Please note whether any additional follow-on work is anticipated in response to the current proposed effort.

Two Conviron PGC-FLEX 3-Tier controlled-environment growth chambers are needed for comparative temperature, light intensity, and relative humidity studies. The airflow configurations on the PGC-FLEX 3-Tier chambers provide vertical airflow when in the single-tier configuration and horizontal airflow over each tier when in multi-tier configuration. The horizontal airflow configuration is compatible in all aspects with the existing Conviron ATC60 3- Tier growth chamber which will be used for comparative studies.

Minimum specifications:

• Internal dimensions equal to or greater than 97” W x 30.5” D with flexibility to adjust between single or multi (2 or

3) tier configurations

• Minimum height of 14” for each tier in three tier mode • Minimum lighting requirements: 500 micromoles/m²/s each with broad spectrum LED and supplemental far red in multi-tier configuration

• Temperature Range: -5°C to +40°C lights on/off. +/- 0.5°C

• Water-cooled condensing unit with hot gas bypass system for continuous compressor operation and close temperature control

• Airflow requirements: 1) chambers must provide vertical airflow when in single tier configuration provided by centrifugal impellers that direct air uniformly upward through perforated chamber floor; and 2) chambers must provide horizontal airflow over each tier when in multi-tier configuration distributed uniformly from a back wall air distribution plenum.

No additional follow-on work is anticipated in response to the proposed effort.

8. List the proposed vendor and contact information.

CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENTS INC.

572 S 5TH ST STE 2

PEMBINA, ND 58271-4309

Caitlynn Kendrick CKendrick@conviron.com

(204) 229-0697

9. Describe why the proposed vendor is the only vendor from which the requirement can be obtained. Examples of acceptable justifications include but are not limited to: sole manufacturer and seller, adherence to warranty provisions, urgency, etc. If other vendors can provide similar products or services, describe why they cannot meet our particular requirement.

The Conviron model PGC-FLEX 3-Tier growth chambers are required because they are compatible with the growth chambers that currently exists at the location, model Conviron ATC60. No other manufacturer can provide growth chambers that are compatible with the existing Conviron ATC60, which will be used for comparative studies with the desired PGC-FLEX 3-Tier growth chambers. Note: the ATC60 3-Tier growth chamber is no longer manufactured, the PGC FLEX 3-Tier growth chambers offer the same specifications for comparative temperature, light intensity, and relative humidity, while also having greater shelving flexibility.

Conviron was the only manufacturer/vendor that could meet our research requirements. Our existing ATC60 growth chamber uses a Conviron CMP5060 controller and will be upgraded to version CMP6060 and will be used to control the PGC-FLEX 3-Tier growth chambers in the future. This will ensure compatibility, consistency, and less error when setting up experiments. Moreover, because the PGC-FLEX 3-Tier growth chambers will have the same controller, light systems, and parts (e.g., solenoids, humidity nozzles, ballasts, atomizers, etc.) as the existing Conviron ATC60 growth chambers, researchers can cannibalize systems if one chamber becomes inoperable or irreparable.

Additionally, purchasing the Conviron PGC-FLEX 3-Tier growth chambers will allow our location to schedule one preventative maintenance visit rather than two visits from separate manufacturers.

Regarding information obtained from the Sources Sought Notice, the Percival Scientific AR-100L3 growth chamber does not meet our -5°C low temperature specification for lights on and off. Their temperature specification for lights on is 7°- 44°C (±0.5°C). The government’s requirement is a Temperature Range of -5°C to +40°C lights on/off. Also, the government requires a water-cooled condensing unit with hot gas bypass system for continuous compressor operation and close temperature control; however the Percival AR-100L3 has an air-cooled condensing unit which does not meet this specification.

Regarding BioChambers FXC-19 model, their temperature range does not meet the government’s research requirement. Section 3.2 of their response states: Temperature range of -5.0°C to 40°C all lights off, -5.0°C to 35°C all lights on. The government’s requirement is Temperature Range: -5°C to +40°C lights on/off +/- 0.5°C. This is one of the most important specifications because our researchers conduct low and high temperature response experiments on cotton, grasses, guayule, and lettuce cultivars.

mailto:CKendrick@conviron.com

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

MANDATORY TEMPLATE FOR FEDERAL PROCUREMENTS UNDER THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

Regarding BioChambers FXR-45 also does not meet the government’s temperature requirement of -5°C to +40°C lights on/off. the listed temperature range is 5.0°C to 35°C all lights off, 15.0°C to 35°C all lights on. In addition, the condenser is air cooled. The government’s requirement is for a water-cooled condenser.

10. Certification:

I hereby certify that the information provided above is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

________________________________________________ __8/5/2024_________________ Technical Representative Date

11. CO Certification:

I hereby determine that the circumstances of this procurement action deem only one source reasonably available. Also, the quoted price is determined to be fair and reasonable as documented on the SAP e-File Checklist and Award Summary.

Contracting Officer Date

12. Level Above the CO Approval:

I hereby determine that the circumstances of this procurement action deem only one source reasonably available. Also, the quoted price is determined to be fair and reasonable as documented on the SAP e-File Checklist and Award Summary.

Supervisory Contracting Officer Date