J A - Mat-CS_-CO.pdf

NAVAL MEDICAL RESEARCH UNIT SAN ANTONIO

JUSTIFICATION & APPROVAL FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL & OPEN COMPETITION

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1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity:

This Justification and Approval (J&A) is executed by the Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC), 503 Robert Grant Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20910, on behalf of the requesting agency, Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio (NAMRU-SA), 3650 Chambers Pass, Building 3610, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234.

2. Nature and/or description of the action:

Award of a contract will be made to Materials Characterization Services to provide technical data on the uniformity and orientation of the magnetic nanorods within the resin samples, resin topography, cross-section analysis of the samples depicting elemental based microscopy, binding energies of selected metals (Fe, C, O, Si), particle sizes of nanorods alone and in the resin, and information about the magnetism of the nanorods.

Vendor should provide information on iron leaching or quantity within the resin, to provide a more quantitative analysis of nanorod concentration. The vendor should be able to provide results to the Government within 3 weeks of receiving the shipment. This contract will be requested for a 12 months (one year), with zero, (0) month option periods for a total of 12-months (one year). The proposed source is:

Materials Characterization Services 16200 White Creek Cove Austin, TX 78681

3. Description of Supplies/Services:

The requirements for this contract is to obtain analysis on magnetic resin related samples. The awarded vendor should be able to perform analyses that can resolve or provide information on the sample’s surface topography, crystallographic orientation, resin and nanorod (NR) uniformity, and NR placement and quantity. The vendor should have access to equipment that can perform cross-sectional analysis on the samples using FIB or low speed/ high performance mechanical saw and compare the analyses of the cross-sections to the whole. In addition, the vendor should be able to provide information on the magnetic domains, location, and chemical properties (i.e. binding energies, leaching, and polymer/elemental analysis) of the NRs. Some instruments that the vendor should have access to in order to provide us with these information include Inductively-coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM) or Scanning/Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM), and Scanning or Transmission Electron Microscopy (SEM or TEM) with electron diffraction detector (EDS or EDX). The analysis of submitted samples should be completed in 3 weeks after receipt and samples can be sent as needed until the total number of samples quoted have been reached. This will be a standing delivery.

Period of performance for this contract is anticipated to be a period of 12 months (one year), with zero, (0) month option periods for a total of 12-months (one year). The estimated value of this contract is $109,967.50.

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

The statutory exception permitting other than full and open competition for this acquisition is 10 U.S.C.

2304(c) (1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1).

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

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Materials Characterization Services is able to provide analysis on magnetic resin related samples. The awarded vendor is able to perform analyses that can resolve or provide information on the sample’s surface topography, crystallographic orientation, resin and nanorod (NR) uniformity, and NR placement and quantity.

6. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable.

Market research was performed, the results of which are in paragraph 8. The proposed contract has been synopsized through the FedBizOpps website. This effort has limited competition. No other known sources were identified and no one is expected to express interest in this effort.

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

The Contracting Officer will perform a cost and price analysis in order to determine that the anticipated quotes received by the Government for the services covered by this J&A will be within fair market value and reasonable. Searches performed using FPDS NG with multiple related phrases and keywords; sample analysis of magnetic resin samples, analysis of magnetic resin samples, magnetic nanorods within the resin samples, resin topography, analysis of elemental based microscopy, information about the magnetism of the nanorods, yielded no results. Quote amounts received from two sources for this requirement show less than a 20% variance within the two quotes which support current pricing in the market as fair and reasonable.

8. Description of the market survey conducted and the results, or a statement of the reasons a market survey was not conducted.

Market research was conducted by technical experts in the November 2019 timeframe. This research consisted of reviews of previous procurements for this type of analysis on magnetic resin related samples and a market survey through search engines of open market contractors and Federal Supply Schedule contractors. Search engines utilized include FPDS, GSA Advantage and Google using the following search words: sample analysis of magnetic resin samples, analysis of magnetic resin samples. Consequently, the Government’s technical experts determined that Materials Characterization Services meets the Government’s requirements. The results of the market research are attached.

1. Materials Characterization Services meets all government requirements.

2. EAG Laboratories (Eurofins Materials Science) – EAG Laboratories meets all government requirements.

3. Southwest Research Institute, Inc., (SwRI). – In order for vendor to be competitive, they need to be able to provide quotes for service that can determine the specified information about our samples using techniques, including but not limited to, scanning tunneling electron microscopy, magnetic force microscopy, or magnetization analyses or alternatives that can provide the necessary, relevant information. No response received.

4. Intertek, In order for Intertek to be competitive, they need to they need to be able to provide quotes for service that can determine the specified information about our samples using techniques, including but not limited to, scanning tunneling electron microscopy, magnetic force microscopy, magnetization analyses, or alternatives that can provide the necessary, relevant information. Vendor was initially contacted by email on October 25, 2019.

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9. Other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

The requirement for the analysis on magnetic resin related samples was competed full and open based on the minimum salient characteristics in February 2020.

10. Listing of Sources, if any, which expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

A. Four vendors were contacted by (email and phone) to obtain a quote for delivery; EAG Laboratries Materials Characterization Services, Southwest Research Institute, Inc., (SwRI) and Intertek were all contacted for quotes.

B. Standard business provisions and conditions:

Special delivery instructions. Vendor must have access to PIEE/WAWF for NAMRU-SA to make payment for service/product.

C. Range of prices encountered and rationale for variance: (All quotes attached.)

1. Materials Characterization Services indicate they are able to meet the requirements as set forth by NAMRU- SA. Vendor provided a quote via email on 15-Jan-2020. The quoted pricing is $109,967.50. POC: Scott Baumann: Phone: 800-685-2088. Email: sbaumann@mat-cs.com.

2. EAG Laboratories (Eurofins Materials Science) indicate they are able to meet the requirements as set forth by NAMRU-SA. Vendor provided a quote 24-Jan-20 in the amount of $112,805.00. POC: Mario Sandoval.

Phone: (408) 530-3617. Email: MarioSandoval@eurofinsEAG.com.

3. Southwest Research Institute, Inc., (SwRI). – In order for vendor to be competitive, they need to be able to provide quotes for service that can determine the specified information about our samples using techniques, including but not limited to, scanning tunneling electron microscopy, magnetic force microscopy, or magnetization analyses or alternatives that can provide the necessary, relevant information. No response received. Email: webmaster@swri.org

4. Intertek, In order for vendor to be competitive, they need to they need to be able to provide quotes for service that can determine the specified information about our samples using techniques, including but not limited to, scanning tunneling electron microscopy, magnetic force microscopy, magnetization analyses, or alternatives that can provide the necessary, relevant information. Vendor was initially contacted by email on October 25, 2019.

POC: Ms. Cassandra Langley. Phone: 484-602-9388. Email: Cassandra.langley@intertek.com.

D. Description of how data was analyzed: On all websites of the companies, their functions, strengths, and abilities were analyzed. Reviews from other statisticians and scientists were analyzed and Materials Characterization Services is deemed able to perform the requirements at the best value to NAMRU-SA.

11. Statement of actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.

Future requirements will be synopsized in accordance with FAR 5.203. For the reasons set forth in Paragraph 5, NMRC has no plans at this time to compete future contracts for the type of services covered by this document.

If another potential source emerges, NMRC will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

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If future requirements exist that do not involve the same research efforts, the government will solicit through full and open competition to remove barriers.

12. Point of Contact.

The point of contact at the Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, regarding the contents of the sole source justification is Deborah M. Sharpe, who may be reached at (301) 319-6471

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I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance which are included in this Justification and its supporting acquisition planning documents, except as noted herein, are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Technical Cognizance

LT Thuyvi Amy Truong , DC, USN Date Biomaterials and Epidemiology Department Head Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio

Requirements Cognizance

Commanding Officer Date Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW AND CONCURRENCE

I have determined this Justification is legally sufficient.

Office of Counsel Date

CONTRACTING OFFICERS CERTIFICATION

I certify that this Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Ms. Deborah Sharpe Date Contracting Officer