B08_Attachment_3_Redacted_Sole_Source_Redacted_1.pdf
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- Attached to
- Radiocarbon analysis of sediment core samples Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- 140G0123Q0227
About this file
This document is a justification for a sole source contract award. The U.S. Geological Survey requires radiocarbon analysis of sediment core samples from an ongoing critical study of over 15 years. In order to maintain continuity of data and comparability of results, it is necessary to retain the incumbent contractor Beta Analytic, Inc. Beta Analytic has provided these services for over 15 years using consistent instruments, methods, and a turnaround time of less than 30 days. Other laboratories cannot provide this continuity of analyses, require customers to pretreat samples, have turnaround times greater than 30 days, or do not perform the full range of required isotopic analyses. Therefore, there is no practicable way to increase competition at this time. The contracting officer determined the price to be fair and reasonable based on previous purchases, and approved this sole source acquisition for radiocarbon analysis from Beta Analytic, Inc. under solicitation number 140G0123Q0227 for the Department of the Interior US Geological Survey Office of Acquisitions and Grants.
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Beta Analytic has been providing these services for the U.S. Geological Survey under the aforementioned project for more than 15 years. Consistent use of instruments used and maintained and calibrated by Beta Analytic, Inc. to obtain both conventional and AMS dating provides reliability and comparability of analyses obtained at different times. In order to maintain continuity of data and comparability of results for this critical, ongoing study, it is necessary that the U.S. Geological Survey retain the same vendor for sample preparation and analysis.
7. Other Information.
Materials sent for analysis may be subject to legal proceedings in the future, and it is essential for the USGS to be able to demonstrate consistent and up-to-date methodology was used in the process of analysis. Continuing our contractual relationship with Beta assures these standards were met.
8. The Efforts to Identify Additional Sources Including the Market Research Conducted.
In addition to not being able to provide continuity of analyses, other radiometric labs, either do not pretreat samples and / or this must be done by the party submitting the sample (which can lead to contamination issues), and / or the turn-around time for results is not timely (greater than 30 days). In addition, some labs do not run the full spectrum of isotopic analyses required, but instead will send material for third party analyses.
This acquisition will be synopsized on SAM.gov if the values exceeds $15,000 as required by FAR 5.201. If the requirement to publish a synopsis has been or will be waived, the applicable citation from FAR 5.202 will be provided.
If there are responses to the SAM.gov announcement, the contract specialist will discuss the results of any evaluation, correspondence, or conversations with respondents.
9. Future Plans to Permit Competition.
The EGPSC routinely conducts market research and seeks ways to complete all its requirements however, given the aforementioned issues with data continuity there is not a practicable way to increase competition currently.
10. Recommendation Program Office
Based on the above, I recommend this acquisition be conducted on a sole source basis.
Date
11. Approval by the Contracting Officer in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) – only one source reasonably available:
a. The price will be determined reasonable through comparison previous purchases for the same or similar types of carbon dating.
b. This justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.
12. Approvals
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