Attachment 3 - Brand name justification.pdf
PDF 316 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Water Activity Meter Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- 1232SA26Q0326
About this file
This is a Decision to Restrict Competition under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold document issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Eastern Regional Research Center in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania. The procurement involves the purchase of an Aqualab 4TE water activity meter with chilled-mirror dew point sensor, estimated at $42,225.00 under Requisition Number 1164712. The suggested source is AQUALAB Meter Group, located at 201 N Pine Street, Prospect Heights, Illinois 60070 (UEI: CKMKLQCPHWJ3).
The justification for restricting competition centers on operational continuity and data consistency. The USDA Eastern Regional Research Center currently operates three Aqualab water meters and requires a fourth unit of the identical brand to ensure interchangeability and prevent data variation across research activities. Market research confirmed that the Aqualab 4TE is available only through Meter Group and Fisher Scientific; the equipment was not found on GSA Advantage. The procurement was certified as meeting the government's minimum needs by Laura Shane, Biological Science Laboratory Technician, and approved by Nicole McKenzie, Contracting Officer, both with digital signatures dated March 11 and March 16, 2026, respectively.
View the file
Other files for this federal contract opportunity
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Attachment 2 - Specifications.pdf | ||
| Attachment 1 - Solicitation Terms and Conditions.pdf |
On GovTribe
Work with this file on GovTribe
- Download the original file
- Contacts named in this file
- Similar government files
- Ask GovTribe AI about this file
Text version
United States Department of Agriculture Decision to Restrict Competition under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold
Identification Number:
Rev. 3/4/26
In accordance with the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Overhaul (RFO) FAR
12.102 (a), the following documents the decision to restrict competition for this acquisition.
(1) Mission Area and Contracting Activity.
Requisition Number: 1164712
Requesting Activity Agency: USDA, Eastern Regional Research Center 600 East Mermaid Lane Wyndmoor, PA 19038
Contracting Activity: Contracting Operations Branch/Acquisition and Property Division
(2) Estimated Value
$42,225.00
(3) Brief Description of Supplies or Services
Aqualab 4TE water activity meter with chilled-mirror dew point sensor
(1) Suggested Source
AQUALAB Meter Group.
201 N PINE ST, PROSPECT HEIGHTS, IL 60070 USA
UEI: CKMKLQCPHWJ3
(4) Justification for Restricting Competition and the Basis for that Decision.
A. Explain the unique qualifications/characteristics of the proposed contractor or product and why no other contractor or product/service can meet the Government's need.
This can be procured from multiple resellers. This brand is specifically required due to currently having 3 water meters currently being used. This will be a 4th to be used and for continuity in research the same brand must be used.
B. Describe market research conducted and the results or the reason why no market research was conducted.
We need to purchase specific equipment so that it can be used interchangeably with our current machines and we will not have variation in our data. GSA Advantage was checked and the Aqualab 4TE water activity meter was not available for purchase. The machine only appears available for purchase through Meter Group and Fisher Scientific from my search.
Certifications & Approvals
United States Department of Agriculture Decision to Restrict Competition under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold
Identification Number:
Rev. 3/4/26
(5) Technical / Requirements Personnel Certification I certify this requirement meets the Government’s minimum need and that the supporting data, which forms a basis for this justification, is complete and accurate.
Laura Shane Biological Science Laboratory Technician
(6) Contracting Officer’s Certification I certify that the data supporting the recommended use of other than full and open competition accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. I hereby approve this justification.
Nicole McKenzie Contracting Officer
| (1) Mission Area and Contracting Activity. |
| (2) Estimated Value |
| (3) Brief Description of Supplies or Services |
| (4) Justification for Restricting Competition and the Basis for that Decision. |
| (5) Technical / Requirements Personnel Certification |
| (6) Contracting Officer’s Certification |
| 2026-03-11T15:15:54-0400 | |
| LAURA SHANE |
| 2026-03-16T10:45:49-0500 | |
| Nicole McKenzie |
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .