Brand_Name_Ion_Chrom_Maintenance.pdf

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

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 Brand Name Advantage Silver on a limited source basis as required by FAR 13.106-1.

2. Nature of Action Being Approved. New Firm fixed price award to purchase Thermo Scientific Advantage Silver service maintenance for a Dionex Integrion HPIC system.

3. Description of Supplies or Services. The Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) requires the purchase of a service agreement for the Government’s existing Dionex Integrion HPIC system, which includes AS-AP Autosampler, Integrion, RFIC-Eg Degasser, Oven

4. Statutory Authority. The proposed action may be awarded through a Brand Name Justification in accordance with and FAR 13.106-1.

5. Rationale Supporting Use of Citation in No. 5. The Dionex Integrion HPIC system is a proprietary instrument and can only be serviced by a Thermo Fischer technician. Due to equipment being proprietary, components and software upgrades can only be supplied by Thermo Fischer. Not obtaining this maintenance service contract or seeking service elsewhere would risk rendering this critical and expensive laboratory equipment unusable. The government has invested $100,000 in this equipment and the equipment must continue to be used to allow for continuity of studies.

6. Other Information. N/A

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

Market research was conducted by posting a Sources Sought on May 26, 2022 through June 2, 2022 with a one response received. Per this market research, competition will be available among resellers.

8. Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition. All brands and vendor instrumentation with the ability to provide consistently high-quality equipment and service for current and future requirements will be considered. Future requirements for same/similar services will be competed to the maximum extent practical.

9. 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.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) considers employee signatures to be Personal Information, and therefore all employee signatures have been redacted. By posting this document, the Contracting Officer attests all appropriate signatures have been obtained.