Brand_Name_Only_Redacted.pdf

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

1. Contracting Agency and Activity. The Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey (USGS) 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 only award for a CEM Corporation MARS 6 batch Microwave Digestion System on a limited source basis as required by FAR 13.106-1.

2. Nature of Action Being Approved. The U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), requests a new award for the procurement of a brand name CEM Corporation MARS 6 batch Microwave Digestion System.

3. Description of Supplies or Services. The requested instrument is one (1) laboratory batch microwave accelerated reaction digestion system, CEM Corporation MARSTM 6, equipped with an internal thermal printer and an infrared temperature control option to control the temperatures of all digestion vessels in each batch (CEM product codes 927500, 512060, and 512195, respectively). A batch shall consist of a maximum of 40 vessels and a minimum of 2 vessels within a single turntable/rotor. The system will also be equipped with MARSXpress vessel starter sets as specified below. The MARSXpress vessels have three pieces (liner, cap, plug) that are simple to assemble and dissemble, and the design self-regulates pressure inside the vessels to mitigate the risk of over-pressurization. Each vessel set has a size-appropriate open-design turntable with 40 numbered positions and 40 composite sleeves for quick cooling post-digestion.

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 Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) has multiple, long-term monitoring projects that make use of our existing CEM MARS 6 microwave digestion system; it is critical to maintain continuity within these projects.

For example, one project that provides much-anticipated data to decision makers (e.g., DOI Secretary, USDA-USFS, BLM, Native American Tribes) has been on-going since summer 2017 and will continue for several more years; multiple sample types (e.g., vegetation, invertebrates, sediment) associated with this project are digested with the MARS 6 on a quarterly basis. CERC is involved in several legal (NRDAR) cases, which require continuity of results/performance.

CERC s methods are extensively validated with the MARS 6 system with respect to not only the microwave characteristics (e.g., power, temperature, number of vessels, vessel size), but also to the type of material from which the digestion vessels are constructed, namely PFA and TFM. The choice of digestion vessel material is specific to the sample type. Research of several competitors to the CEM MARS 6 indicates that CEM is the only vendor that has both PFA and TFM vessels available. Anton Paar models (Multiwave 7000, Multiwave 5000, Multiwave GO Plus) use glass, quartz, or a PTFE-TFM mixture for vessels; MileStone (Ethos UP, Ethos Easy) also uses a PTFE-TFM mixture. Sineo (Master Series) offers only TFM, and SCPScience (Multivew) offers only PFA and quartz.

Further, a change in brand/model would also represent considerable cost to the Government because two (2) FTEs would have to spend significant time and resources to re-validate existing methods on the new equipment. Sample type also dictates the vessel size; vessel size also dictates the digestion efficiency. Our methods are optimized for the three (3) MARS 6 vessel sizes (75 mL PFA, 55 mL TFM, 20 mL PFA), and the MARS 6 permits digestion of up to 40 samples at a time. None of the aforementioned competitors appear to offer all of these vessels sizes with a 40-place or larger rotor. Method validation would need to occur before any samples could be processed; this is likely to set us back at least 6 months. Additional time will be lost in processing if the new equipment were to have fewer than 40 places.

Competitors use different capping mechanisms and control software, which would require significant training and possible investment in capping stations and other equipment that would be unnecessary by purchasing a second MARS 6. We are also familiar with the robustness of the MARS6 system; one has been in operation in our laboratory since circa 2012. Moreover, if we cannot purchase a second MARS6, the desired redundancy and increase in throughput is at risk. The parts will not be interchangeable and will likely increase maintenance and operation costs for the Government. For example, two different vendors would need to be scheduled to perform scheduled preventative maintenance; additionally, vessels would not be interchangeable, potentially resulting in issues with cleaning, storage, and upkeep. The current existing equipment is estimated to be .

The microwave digestion system must support fully customizable “classic method programming” with the capability to store at least 50 custom digestion methods with user-defined names, temperatures, and times. The maximum digestion temperature achievable should be at least 200 °C and the CE MARS 6 “One Touch Methods” come pre-programmed with a method library proven in the CERC Chemistry Laboratory in which the user can input a sample weight, acid type, and acid volume and the microwave system will detect the vessel type and number and will adjust the method power automatically before performing the digestion. The MARS 6 is the only system on the market that uses this integrated sensor technology.

7. Other Information. N/A

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

A sources sought notice, 140G0122Q0093, was posted on SAM.gov for 7 days with no responses received to date. Market research indicates no other brand will be compatible with the existing laboratory equipment. Competition will be obtained via CEM Corporation resellers.

9. Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition. Future requirements will be competed to the maximum extent 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 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