BrandNameJustificaiton_Techniplast.pdf

b. Project description. Zebrafish housing in a research setting requires an aquatic rack system that provides life support for the zebrafish animal model. The system maintains optimal animal health, water quality, and water flow rates in order to maximize animal welfare and minimize the impact of adverse environmental conditions that could adversely affect or invalidate experimental outcomes. These conditions are achievable via automatic water quality monitoring, dosing, and water exchanges; multi-level filtration to eliminate potential infectious microorganisms; and recirculating pumps with back-up capability to maintain water flow even in the event of primary pump failure. Suitable systems require fish tanks, baffles, and associated equipment that are necessary for housing zebrafish on a rack system. The system obtained through this procurement will represent a facility expansion from the current aquatic housing rack system currently owned and in use by the government providing for two rack systems of the same configuration and specifications.

c. Requirement type.

Research & development (R&D) R & D support services Support services (non-R&D) x Supplies/equipment Information technology (IT) Construction Architect-engineer (A & E) services Design-build Other (specify): ____________________

Type of action.

x New requirement Follow-on Other (specify): ______________________

Proposed contract/order type.

x Firm-fixed-price Other fixed-price (specify, e.g., fixed-price award-fee, fixed-price incentive-fee): __________ Cost-plus-fixed-fee Other cost reimbursement (specify, e.g., cost-plus-award-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee): ___________ Time and materials Indefinite delivery (specify whether indefinite quantity, definite quantity, or requirements): ___________ Other (specify): ___________ Completion Form Term form

Acquisition identification number:

d. Total estimated dollar value and performance/delivery period.

4. Identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

x This acquisition is conducted under FAR 13.106-1 (b)(1)(i)

(b) Soliciting from a single source.

(1) For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold.

(i) Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the Contracting Officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name or industrial mobilization).

5. Demonstration that the proposed contractor(s) unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

a. Name and address of the Brand Name Contractor.

Techniplast USA 1345 Enterprise Drive West Chester, PA 19380

b. Nature of the acquisition and proposed unique qualifications of the contractor(s).

This acquisition is for the procurement of a second Techniplast aquatic rack housing system with the same specifications as the Government owned system currently used by the LCBG, NCI. Exacting specifications are necessary to allow research expansion to be conducted permitting all the animals to be housed using the same environmental conditions. The current aquatic rack housing system provides environmental conditions and animal monitoring capabilities acceptable to the NCI’s animal care and use committee and animal care staff and are essential for zebrafish welfare and health. Installation of a second rack of the same specifications will ensure that the required equipment and supplies can be used interchangeably on both systems in support of the animals and the research objectives. Having an aquatic rack housing system of the same specifications to the existing government owned equipment will also minimize environmental variables experienced by the animals, which if not controlled through the use of compatible and fully interchangeable equipment specifications, may lead to inability to maximally support health of the animal colony and may result in erroneous confounding research outcomes.

The Techniplast standalone zebrafish aquatic rack housing system meets these requirements. Techniplast zebrafish aquatic rack housing system technology and equipment is proprietary. Specifications for water circulation, tubing, tank shape and size, filtration technologies, and other animal housing system processes and operations must be fully interchangeable and compatible with existing NCI systems and processes needed to meet animal colony and experimental requirements. Use of a different aquatic rack housing system will not allow for the exchange of parts/equipment/supplies between the existing and new system and will introduce unnecessary uncontrolled research variables that can confound the research outcomes leading to erroneous conclusions.

6. Description of the efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable. Indicate whether a FedBizOpps notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies.

As required by FAR Subpart 5.2, a SAM.gov combined synopsis solicitation will be publicized and cited as a commercial item purchase (as stated FAR Part 12) with the authority to use simplified procedures of commercial items as authorized in FAR 13.106-1 (b)(1)(ii). In accordance with FAR 5.102(a)(6), a brand name justification will be published with the solicitation.

7. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost/price to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The NCI Project Officer completed the Independent Government Estimate (IGE).

The Contracting Officer will consider the IGE, past contract pricing for similar commercial procurements, and competitive quotations as the determining factors for price reasonableness. A final determination will be made prior to making a Purchase Order award.

8. Description of the market research conducted (see FAR Part 10) and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

Market research was performed by means of an internet search, reviews of historical data for similar past procurements, and based on information provided by knowledgeable Government personnel familiar with the products being procured. The following companies were examined: Techniplast, Iwaki Aquatic, and Aquatic Enterprises. All three companies have unique designs and specifications for their aquatic rack housing systems for zebrafish that do not allow for the parts, equipment, and supplies to be used interchangeably. The