JandA for Other than Full and Open - LEEDS - 1.pdf

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

FINANCE AND FACILITIES DIVISION | PROCUREMENT SECTION

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL (J&A) FOR OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

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JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION IN ACCORDANCE WITH 41 U.S.C. 3304 (A) (X)

Requisition Number: SHOP-PR-26-001064

Date: 03/25/2026

Estimated Contract Dollar Value: $

1. Identification of the agency and contracting activity.

The U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Laboratory Division, has prepared this justification for other than full and open competition for External Repairs / Preventative Maintenance on behalf of the Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical Center (TEDAC), Laboratory Division.

2. The nature and/or description of the action being approved, i.e., sole source, limited competition, establishment of a new source, etc.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation's LABORATORY DIVISION requires the following product(s)/service(s):

External Repairs / Preventative Maintenance In support of forensic research to support LD's casework.

Contract Type New contract/agreement; Firm Fixed Price

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs.

The mission of the Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical Center (TEDAC) is to develop and utilize innovative and novel scientific methods and techniques for enhancement of current exploitation capabilities. For the enhancement of current exploitation capabilities within the Firearms Toolmark Unit (FTU), the unit utilizes LCF microscopes manufactured by Leeds Precision Instruments, Inc. Microscopes are used to conduct forensic examinations of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The majority of TEDAC Laboratory microscopes are currently Leeds brand microscopes for IED examinations.

With a three-year service agreement at an estimated cost of $ the microscopes will be serviced annually and in accordance with FBI Laboratory policy found in the Laboratory Operations Manual in order to maintain ISO 17025 accreditation. Leeds Precision Instruments

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL (J&A) FOR OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

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Inc. currently manufactures these microscopes and has the capacity to maintain microscopes generated by other manufacturers. A five-year agreement will be more cost effective than the annual visit fee. Leeds Precision Instruments Inc. manufactures the microscopes and associated cameras and has an impeccable record of past performance in maintaining our equipment. It is for these reasons that Leeds Precision Instruments Inc is the preferred vendor to conduct the service maintenance.

4. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s selected statutory authority which permits restricted (other than full and open) competition for this requirement is listed below.

41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1), FAR 6.302-1 — Only One Responsible Source (Brand Name

Specification)

5. Demonstrate the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the action requiring the use of the authority.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s qualifications of the selected statutory authority which permits restricted (other than full and open) competition for this requirement is stated below. 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1), FAR 6.302-1 — Only One Responsible Source (Brand Name Specification) Unique qualification(s) application: There is a reasonable basis to conclude that the agency’s minimum needs can only be satisfied by unique supplies or services available from only one source or only one supplier with unique capabilities. Unique qualification(s) details: The Laboratory Division (LD) Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical Center (TEDAC) currently requests Leeds Precision Instruments, Inc. to visit annually to conduct equipment maintenance and performance checks on all microscopy related equipment. The reasonable basis upon which a sole source determination was made includes market research and the impact to existing systems/warranties. Based on market research conducted through GSA and the open market, LEEDS Precision Instruments, Inc. is the only authorized vendor capable of meeting the Government’s requirements. As the Original Equipment Manufacturer, only LEEDS Precision Instruments, Inc., service the existing microscopes without voiding any manufacturer warranties or causing significant damage. If a sole source contract is not awarded to LEEDS Precision Instruments, Inc., but instead awarded to an unauthorized vendor, the Government risks significant damage the microscopes that are not covered by

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL (J&A) FOR OTHER THAN

Attachment M – J&A Guide & Template Version 3 Page 8 manufacturer warranty. Unauthorized vendors performing the required work would render these critical pieces of equipment inoperable. LEEDS Precision Instruments, Inc. must ensure each system is operational, which requires the use of proprietary information, technical data, schematics, and verified OEM components. In the event of equipment failure during contract performance, LEEDS Precision Instruments Inc. is the only company able to return the system to its factory specifications

The U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Science and Technology Acquisition Unit, has prepared this justification for other than full and open competition to visit annually to conduct equipment maintenance and performance checks on all microscopy related equipment. The microscopes are currently located in Huntsville, Alabama.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by Subpart 5.1 and, if not, which exception under 5.101 applies.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s efforts made to solicit offers among as many sources as practicable is described below. A Notice of the Government’s Intent to Sole Source this requirement will be posted on SAM.gov. No other sources expressed interest in this acquisition.

7. The anticipated dollar value of the proposed acquisition, including options if applicable, and a determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation's methodology which supports the determination of fair and reasonable cost to the Government is provided below. Market Research (including an Independent Government Cost Estimate) Market research was conducted through the open market and GSA to identify potential suppliers that are authorized to perform the required work on the microscopes. Given the nature of the required work, LEEDS Precision Instruments Inc. is the only source capable of meeting the Government’s requirements. The anticipated dollar value for this requirement is . The Contracting Officer intends to use market research, and the LEEDS Precision Instruments, Inc. published price lists to make a determination of price fair and reasonableness. Additionally, the Contracting Officer will compare the cost of maintaining the LEEDS Precision Instruments, Inc. microscope systems to the cost of purchasing new equipment for the TEDAC Laboratory.

8. A description of the market research conducted and the results.

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL (J&A) FOR OTHER THAN

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s description of the market research technique(s) it employed to determine the necessity of restricted (other than full and open) competition is provided below. Contacting knowledgeable individuals in Government and industry regarding market capabilities to meet requirements. The FBI will continue to conduct market surveys and research available through industry shows and technology releases in the form of papers and journals on subsequent acquisitions. Reviewing the results of recent market research undertaken to meet similar or identical requirements. Market research was conducted through GSA Advantage, GSA eLibrary, and the open market to identify potential sources capable of meeting the Government’s requirement. However, no potential sources were identified. Based on the market research findings, LEEDS Precision Instruments, Inc. is the only vendor capable of meeting the Government’s requirements.

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

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s description of additional facts which support the use of restricted (other than full and open) competition is provided below. The Government’s requirement to service microscopes, such as the LCF system, requires vendors to be authorized to perform work on the equipment to prevent voiding the manufacturer warranty or disrupting the systems operations without the proper technical data, schematics, or manufacturer components.

Leeds Precision Instruments, Inc. is the current manufacturer of the microscopes and associated cameras currently in use within the Laboratory Division (LD) Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical Center (TEDAC) Explosives Unit, Trace Evidence Unit, DNA Unit, and Firearms Toolmark Unit. In addition, Leeds Precision Instruments Inc. has the knowledge, experience, ability and capacity to maintain other brand microscopes utilized within the unit.

Leeds knowledge of the propriety information utilized in maintaining these microscopes and associated equipment provides them with a unique qualification and specialized capability to allow us to utilize the statutory authority cited while maintaining compliance with our quality assurance and ISO17025 standards.

Leeds Precision Instruments, Inc., is the sole manufacturer of the LEEDS LCF Firearm Comparison Microscope. As the sole manufacturer and distributor, Leeds provides on-site installation and training, on-going technical support, as well as warranty and non-warranty service. Leeds service team is the only factory trained and authorized service group in the United States and can provide ISO17025 certifications for both magnification matching and all measurement capabilities of the LCF system, as well as go into the internal optics of the LCF system without voiding the system warranties.

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10. A listing of any sources that expressed a written interest in the acquisition.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s list of interested sources is provided below.

This requirement was not publicly synopsized. As such, no other sources have expressed an oral or written interest.

11. A statement of any actions the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition, if subsequent acquisitions are anticipated.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s planned and/or executed actions to remove or overcome competitive barriers for subsequent acquisitions are described below.

Competitive procurement is not planned in the future. The FBI will continue to conduct market research, review industry white papers and published journals, research similar purchases through FPDS.gov, and attend tradeshows as applicable to identify any additional sources capable of meeting the Government’s requirement to remove and overcome competition barriers for future acquisitions.

COs are not permitted to proceed with solicitation until this document is fully executed by each signatory in accordance with the thresholds identified below:

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL (J&A) FOR OTHER THAN

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Reviews and Approvals (Not exceeding $900,000)

Requestor:

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance, which are included in this justification, and which form a basis for this justification, are complete and accurate.

Signature Date

Contracting Officer:

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

Furthermore, I hereby determine that the exception and circumstances described in item number four (4) of this justification apply to this order.

Signature Date

4/27/2026