B08_Attachment_1_Redacted_Brand_name.pdf

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

PR 0040575963

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 for award of a Waters Corporation Xevo TQ Absolute System on a limited source basis as required by FAR 13. I 06-1 .

2. Nature of Action Being Approved. A new Firm-Fixed Price contract for the procurement of a brand name Waters Corporation Xevo TQ Absolute System.

3. Description of Supplies or Services. The Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey (USGS), Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) Chemistry Branch has a requirement for a Xevo TQ Absolute System which includes the installation, training, and plans. The instrument is the Xevo TQ Absolute tandem mass spectrometer and accompanying data system from Waters Corporation. It shall include the Xevo Absolute System, Acquity UPLC I-Class plus system, EBARA-SA30, UPBSM, UPISMFTN and the Power Supply.

4. Estimated Dollar Value. x

5. Statutory Authority. The proposed action may be awarded on a sole source basis under the authority of Section 201 of the Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 USC 501) and FAR 13.106-1.

6. Rationale Supporting Use of Citation in No. 5.

The CERC Chemistry Branch currently has two existing Waters LC/MS systems (specifically another Waters Xevo LC/MS/MS and a Waters Synapt QTOF) and have validated complex methods on the existing Xevo system in their lab. The existing systems have the same Acquity LC system and use the same MassLynx instrument control/data processing software. The new Waters TQ-Absolute LC/MS/MS has the same internal analyzer components as their existing system and readily accepts use of peripherals (such as alternate ion sources) they already have with the existing Xevo. By purchasing the Waters equipment, this allows the lab to easily transfer hardware, methods, and data between systems.

The Waters TQ-Absolute system uses the same MassLynx instrument control and data processing software which will ensure continuity of data is maintained as methods and data will be transferrable between instruments. Not all software platforms use the same algorithms when processing raw data, therefore, results and quality trends monitored over time may not be consistent if a different manufacturer's instrument and software platform were used. Following requirements of the USGS's Quality Management System policies, the lab verifies the stability and suitability of methods by monitoring various parameters over time. Using instruments from multiple manufacturers will not allow for direct comparison of these parameters.

7. Other Information. N/A

8. The Efforts to Identify Additional Sources Including the Market Research Conducted.

A sources sought notice was posted on SAM.gov on 5/16/2022 until 5/24/2022. One small business vendor provided their capability to provide this brand name equipment. No responses were received for a brand name or equal product. A search via DOI Vendor Research Dashboard and FPDS.gov for a "TQ

Absolute" results in zero previous procurements. An online search results in at least one additional reseller. To promote competition, this requirement will be competed via resellers on SAM.gov.

9. Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition. Future requirements will undergo market research and be competed to the maximum extend practical as they develop.

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.

EZ

11. Certifications and Approval from the Contracting Officer:

a. The Contracting Officer determines that the price will be fair and reasonable as this requirement will be competed among authorized resellers.

b. This justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

13. Approvals