B08_Attachment_2_Brand_Name_Justification_Redacted.pdf

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

PR 0040607889

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 an Applied Biosystems QuantStudio 5 (QS5) Real- Time PCR System on a limited source basis as required by FAR 13.106-1.

2. Nature of Action Being Approved. A new Firm-Fixed Price contract for the procurement of a brand name Applied Biosystems QuantStudio 5 Real-Time PCR System.

3. Description of Supplies or Services. The Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey (USGS), National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) Diagnostic Virology and Molecular Biology Laboratories has a requirement for an Applied Biosystems QuantStudio 5 Real-Time PCR System and preventative maintenance.

4. Estimated Dollar Value.

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 Diagnostic Virology Laboratory (DVL) requires the QuantStudio 5 (QS5) Real-Time PCR System for their qPCR studies in conjunction with the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN), a USDA laboratory. The NAHLN includes the National Veterinary Services Laboratories and the Plum Island Disease Center. These centers have documented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Document Number NVSL-SOP-0650, which references, approves and validates the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio 5 Real-Time PCR System. Membership in the NAHLN require laboratories to comply with NAHLN requirements for conducting molecular tests supported by the network.

Work in the DVL has already been performed on their existing QS5- Real-Time PCR System and other QS5 instruments. Current and future studies which run many of their most important assays (Avian Influenza, Newcastle Disease Virus, Classical Swine Fever, Foot and Mouth Disease, African Swine Fever) require an additional QS5 PCR System to meet increasing laboratory throughput. Direct comparisons must be made to previously generated data by a QS5 system. If another brand system was used in place of the QuantStudio 5 Real-Time PCR System, all results would be considered invalid and not comparable. The USGS must ensure continuity of data is maintained with previous NWHC diagnostic virology studies as methods and data will be comparable between the same brand instruments.

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 3/1/2023 until 3/6/2023. One vendor provided a specification sheet for a potential equal product that was determined by the end user to not be able to meet the data continuity requirements described in paragraph 6. 7Market research indicates there are multiple resellers of the QuantStudio system.

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.

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