JOFOC_140G0126F0299_1.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION FOR ACQUISITION UNDER THE

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

1. Contracting Agency and Activity. The Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center (USGS-CERC) plans to contract on a sole source basis. This document sets forth the justification and approval as required by FAR 13.106- 1(b)(1).

2. Nature of Action Being Approved. A Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract to CEM Corporation for an Energized Dispersive Guided Extraction (EDGE) instrument and related supplies and services.

3. Description of Supplies or Services. The U.S. Geological Survey’s Columbia Environmental Research Center (USGS-CERC) requests the acquisition of an Energized Dispersive Guided Extraction (EDGE®) instrument and related supplies and services, listed below:

EDGE 60 HIGH TORQUE 120V SALES CENTRIFUGE RACK (P/N 925265-1) – The

EDGE system combines the process of Pressurized Fluid Extraction and Dispersive Solid Phase Extraction in one instrument that yields rapid and efficient extraction.

EDGE Q-Cups (P/N 905955) – Two packs of 12. For use with EDGE Systems & Q- Discs.

RACK, 50ML CENTRIFUGE EDGE 60 (P/N 525245) – EDGE rack for centrifuge tubes Q-DISC, S1, BOX OF 125 EDGE (P/N 153530) – CEM’s patented stackable Q-Discs for automated sample filtration with any EDGE system 50ML TUBE KIT, 25/PK (P/N 330090) – 50 mL centrifuge tubes, pack of 25 Customer Care Plus Plan 1 EDGE (P/N 990355) – Plan includes one (1) on-site maintenance visit to be used at purchaser’s discretion, 24-hour telephone troubleshooting support, guaranteed priority response time when a service visit is required, and 20% discounts on any additional travel, labor and parts.

Lifetime applications/technical support (P/N APP-MOLECULAR) – included with purchase.

Installation & Training, ½ Day, EDGE (P/N 980109) – Half-day training session for users on the operation, routine maintenance, and basic applications for the instrument platform.

Shipping (P/N SHIPPING-EDGE) – Ground Shipping/Handling within the Continental U.S.

4. Estimated Dollar Value. See Contract Value

5. Statutory Authority. The proposed action may be awarded on a sole source basis under the authority of GSAR 538.7104-3(a).

6. Rationale Supporting Use of Citation in No. 5. The EDGE® instrument from CEM Corporation is the only instrument that can meet the government’s need to extract samples in the manner required. The USGS-CERC conducts research related to human & environmental health that increasingly requires the extraction of samples with limited available mass, such as insects and very small invertebrates which are a key component of toxicity assessments. The EDGE®

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION FOR ACQUISITION UNDER THE

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

combines Pressurized Fluid Extraction and Dispersive Solid Phase Extraction, making it uniquely capable of extracting samples that have a limited sample mass, down to 0.1 g. CEM Corporation holds the patent, and the EDGE® is the only technology of its kind. The instrument is patented, with supplies and services unique to the instrument, for which CEM is the sole domestic supplier.

In addition, the design of the EDGE & associated Q-CupsTM minimizes the down-time between sample extractions, as they are significantly easier to clean and maintain when compared to traditional Pressurized Fluid Extraction systems, allowing for a higher sample throughput that is necessary for the lab’s sample workload, as well as a lower likelihood of carryover (contamination) resulting from difficult-to-clean components in other commercially-available extraction systems. The patented technology that allows for these crucial capabilities precludes competition.

7. Other Information. N/A

8. The Efforts to Identify Additional Sources Including the Market Research Conducted.

Market research was conducted via professional seminars, discussion with colleagues, internet searches, and review of professional publications to test the market for new technologies that may fulfill similar requirements.

9. Future Plans to Permit Competition. Future requirements for the same or similar items will be competed to the maximum extent possible.

10. Recommendation and Certification from Program Office Based on the above, I recommend this acquisition be conducted on a sole source basis and certify the above statements are true and accurate.

11. Certifications from the Contracting Officer:

a. Anticipated cost to the Government will be determined to be fair and reasonable based upon a comparison with the government estimate and a comparison with prices for the same or similar items of previously awarded government contracts.

b. This justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.