JA Samars FAR 13.5.pdf

CUI//SP-SSEL

Control Number:

CUI//SP-SSEL

(Source Selection Information - See FAR 2.101 and 3.104-4)

JUN 2023

Sole Source Justification and Approval

Under FAR 13.501

1. Contracting Activity: Mission and Installation Contracting Command – Dugway Proving Ground

2. Description of Action: Dugway Proving Ground (DPG)

This is a requirement with a projected Award date of 30 April 2024, fiscal year 2024 – 2025, a d funds used are Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation

(RDT&E).

Name of Proposed Contractor(s) and Address:

An acquisition plan is not required because this procurement does not meet the threshold at the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement 207.103(d)(i)(B).

3. Description of Supplies/Services: Purchase and delivery of Safety Air Monitoring Gas Chromatographs (GC). The estimate of this requirement is .

Specifications required for GC:

Part # Description Qty

A Two Teledyne Falcon GC instruments – dimensions 17” x 11” x 8.5” (width x height x depth), weight approximately 25 pounds.

Temperature programmable oven capable of ambient to 400°C heating. Flame Photometric Detector (FPD) for Sulphur and phosphorous detection, and internal sample pump. GC Column phases 210 and 1. Includes Dell laptop and ChromPerfect Seven software installation.

B Engineering and testing for trap modification. Custom development and testing of adsorbent trap system, capable of fast heating and flow rate of 500 mL/min through the adsorbent trap. Capability to add mass flow controller and collect flow data as part of the system.

C Engineering, testing, test/dilution hardware development to hit LDL targets. Engineering testing to achieve Chemical Agent detection limits.

D Spare Column Module; Column Assy: MXT-1, 4 meters – p/n 12903(01-4M); Replacement column of phase 1701

JUN 2023

This requiring activity is the West Desert Test Center (WDTC), Chemical Test Division

(CTD).

Total Estimated Value:

Estimated Delivery Date: 30 days after receipt of order.

4. Authority Cited: 41 U.S.C. §1901(a)(2) as implemented by FAR 13.501(a)(2)(i) – For a proposed contract exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, but not exceeding $750,000, the contracting officer’s knowledge and belief will serve as approval, unless a higher approval level is established in accordance with agency procedures.

5. Reason for Authority Cited:

is a manufacturer specializing in air monitoring instrumentation and air monitoring equipment. is working with DPG WDTC to develop fast, portable GC instruments to replace the aged and near obsolete “Minicam” systems that are being phased out by their manufacturer. possesses the expertise to tailor instruments to meet customer requirements, such as the safety air monitoring and testing needs at DPG. Notably, they have developed the Falcon GC, a swift-analyzing GC utilizing common columns and detectors used in chemical agent testing. The Falcon GC provides portability at approximately 25 pounds. Unlike other manufacturers, integrates a desorbing trap system directly into the Falcon GC, essential for achieving the low detection limits crucial for air monitoring safety. In contrast, competitors require a separate trap unit, increasing costs, footprint, weight, and installation complexity. This approach proves impractical, given the instrument's frequent movement between testing locations. The Teledyne Falcon GC streamlines portability by incorporating the trap within the GC unit, ensuring ease of use within existing lab spaces.

The Teledyne Falcon GC stands out as the sole brand offering a manufactured GC capable of fulfilling the government air monitoring requirements. Additionally, they have the capability to customize the GC by constructing components or integrating detectors into the instrument. The portable design of the Falcon GC allows it to seamlessly integrate into our existing lab space. Unlike other branded instruments, the Falcon GC provides a comprehensive solution tailored to our specific needs.

The Teledyne Falcon GC is being sought as a substitute for the MINICAMS instrument, which presently serves as the method for facilitating safety air monitoring and test support in the CTD. Due to discontinuation by the manufacturer, the MINICAMS instrument will no longer be available. Without identifying and validating an alternative instrument capable of conducting safety air monitoring and testing support, the CTD will be unable to continue its testing operations.

(Source Selection Information - See FAR 2.101 and 3.104-4)

CUI//SP-SSEL

(Source Selection Information - See FAR 2.101 and 3.104-4)

JUN 2023

Only has agreed to customize and develop their GC to meet DPG’s performance needs. As specific above, only has agreed to customize a GC where others only offer an “off the shelf” version.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: The Contracting Officer will publish the notices required by FAR 5.201 and any bids or proposals received shall be considered. Market research was conducted by attending conferences, reviewing literature, internet searches, telecom discussions with potential vendors, and surveying the marketplace.

These efforts have resulted in no other sources of another MINICAMS replacement parts.

a. Effective competition. of the Teledyne Falcon GC and holds the proprietary rights for the equipment. As such, this is being procured as a sole source requirement.

b. Subcontracting competition. Although subcontracting efforts are not precluded, it is not anticipated that any items/functions will be subcontracted.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: The Chemical Test Division (CTD) conducted extensive research, including internet searches, participation in technical and analytical conferences, review of market literature, and discussions with analytical field technicians. The results of this research indicated limited options for portable GC systems. Typically, portable GC instruments are designed for the industrial analysis of volatile compounds, with a scarcity of options for analyzing semi-volatile compounds.

Furthermore, the inclusion of a sample preconcentrating trap meeting the CTD's specifications is even more rare.

8. Market Research: The Contract Specialist conducted an internet survey, revealing that vendors such as Ability One, Prison Industries, or GSA do not offer the Teledyne Falcon GC required by the Chemical Test Division at DPG. Due to the proprietary nature of the product, a Sources Sought Notice was not posted, as

. While the Contract Specialist reviewed the Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) list and recognizes that the vendor

9. Other Facts: meet our needs as configured. If modifications are needed, the has a development team that can modify instruments to meet customer needs. is working on a modified trap to meet our flow rate and detection limit needs.

was identified as one of the few manufacturers specializing in this niche industry. Their Falcon GC emerged as the only commercially available instrument equipped with an onboard trap, suitable temperature range, detectors, and portability required to replace the MINICAMS. Following this research,