DnF for OTFOC Shuttlebox.doc

DETERMINATION & FINDINGS FOR OTHER THAN FULL & OPEN COMPETITION

(ACTIONS SAT AND BELOW)

1. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROCUREMENT:

The government requires eight (8) Station Gemini Shuttle Avoidance System with shock and air-stimulation to monitor small animal behavior. These shuttle boxes will be used to observe and understand how various insults affects rodent behavior.

2. PROPOSED CONTRACTOR/MANUFACTURER:

San Diego Instruments, Inc.

9155 Brown Deer Road, Suite 8 San Diego, CA 92121 Small Business

3. ESTIMATED TOTAL VALUE:

$133,020.00

4. STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING CONTRACTING WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION: The statutory authority permitting sole source is 41 USC 1901(e), implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i):

_X_ Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements

___ Unusual and Compelling Urgency

___ Industrial Mobilization; Engineering, Developmental, or Research Capability; or Expert Services

___ International Agreement

___ Authorized or Required by Statute

___ National Security

___ Public Interest

5. JUSTIFICATION FOR THE AUTHORITY CITED ABOVE:

The item(s) listed in section one above is available from only one source and competition is precluded for reasons indicated below. There are no substitutes available.

_X_ Compatibility: The item(s) must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit, and function) with existing systems presently installed. Describe the equipment you have now and how the new item/service must coordinate, connect, or interface with the existing system:

The Electromagnetic Bio-Effects Branch (EMBE) of the Biological & Biotechnology Sciences (BBS) Division at the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) requires an 8-Station Gemini Shuttle Avoidance System with shock and air-stimulation to monitor small animal behavior for work on a top priority project of Dr. Baker’s and that has the attention of senior leaders throughout the Army and Office of the Secretary of Defense. This project involves multiple extramural collaborators performing different aspects of the research project. These extramural sites are currently utilizing this Gemini Shuttle Avoidance System. Compatibility through matching the system to the current set up will allow for direct comparison of results between the multiple laboratories. It is imperative that all sites utilize the same equipment for standardization of data collection and analysis. The items requested in this purchasing action are already in use at those locations.

Shuttle boxes use the theory of operant conditioning to manipulate small animal behavior through manipulation of the environment. They offer the ability to test acquisition, retention, and consolidation processes and help to understand associative learning and memory without requiring food deprivation. The Army requires a system with two compartment enclosures, floor grids for both rat and mouse, sixteen (16) photobeams, two (2) house and two (2) cue lights, and two (2) speakers for sound. We require a system which allows for eight (8) units to be configured and run independently which allows the testing of large subject groups. The Army also requires software that is user friendly and offers both passive and active avoidance, learned helplessness, full test diagnostics, runtime data display, and formatted reports. The data must be stored in Microsoft Access data making it compatible with other statistical programs. The Gemini Shuttle Avoidance System meets all these requirements. Additionally, small animals are extremely sensitive to their surroundings which can affect their behavior; therefore, it is critical that we utilize the same system as our partners to minimize potential differences across datasets.

The market research performed indicated that there is a single company (San Diego Instruments, Inc.) that is licensed to sell the Gemini Shuttle Avoidance System that meets all the necessary requirements described above.

___ Proprietary: A patent, copyright, or proprietary data limits competition. The proprietary data are described as follows:

_X__ Experimental Continuity: The item(s) must be consistent with prior materials in order to ensure experimental continuity. Describe the conditions that necessitate the use of experimental continuity: See above detail.

___ Warranty: Purchasing item(s) from another manufacturer/provider would void existing warranty. Provide a brief explanation for the use of this reason and the impact that would occur if the item was purchased from another manufacturer/provider:

___ Direct Replacement: These are “direct replacement” parts/components for existing equipment and no substitutes exist.

___ Other reasoning to support a sole-source buy:

6. FAIR AND REASONABLE PRICE DETERMINATION:

It has been determined that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable and that approval of this recommendation is in the best interest of the government. This justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Template last updated 4/23/2018