FAR 13 Single Source or Brand Name Justification Agilent 990 MicroGC-S.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Limited Source/Brand Name Justification

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) – Simplified Acquisitions Control No. (if applicable) ______________________

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

USDA APHIS PPQ Science and Technology, 13601 Old Cutler Road, Building 63 Coral Gables FL. 33158

2. Description of supply or service required to meet the agency’s needs.

Agilent 990 Micro Gas Chromatograph equipped with fully equipped portable field case (includes gas cylinder and battery). The microGC has two channels: one general purpose 10m PPQ channel and a 52CB 4m channel for more polar compounds. The detector is a Thermal Conductivity Detector with 5 orders of magnitude linear range.

3. The rationale or circumstances for limiting competition.

Purchasing a different model microGC would require the purchase of not only the instrument equivalent capability and portable field case, but also the operating software, whereas for the 990 microGC we already have a computer and operating software in place. Secondly, all the methods already established on the old version of that instrument (the one being replaced) would have to be redeveloped. That would be a time consuming process. Most importantly, this instrument is a direct replacement for an older model: Agilent’s 490 microGC, which has been used successfully for condensable gases and low boiling liquids such as ethyl formate. This is significant because microGCs are not engineered for such uses, it is likely that other microGCs would not serve our needs.

4. A description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Market research did not produce any equivalent instrument that has similar channels with heating, backflush and a portable field case.

5. Estimated price, including all options, if applicable.

$39,479.76 quoted for all components, including installation and 1-year engineer support (GSA Contract no: GS-07F-0564X334516).

6. Recommended source(s).

Agilent Technologies

Certifications

Supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel and which form the basis for this justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.

Rodolfo Mesa Martin, Chemist, TIML Technical Personnel

The information contained in this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief and in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.106-1(b)(1), I hereby determine the circumstances described above deem only one source, or limited sources, reasonably available and competition is precluded for the reasons indicated in this document.

Contracting Officer