JOFOC_Public_Posting_68HERW26P0278_1.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION (JOFOC)

FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES OVER THE SIMPLIFIED

ACQUISITION THRESHOLD (SAT) USING SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES

(REVOLUTIONARY FAR OVERHAUL (RFO))

REFERENCE: SOL 68HERW26R0056

1. The EPA – Office of Applied Sciences and Environmental Solutions (OASES) Branch proposes to restrict competition for this commercial acquisition as authorized by RFO 12.102(b).

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved:

New Contract for renewal of a preventative maintenance and service agreement for an AB Sciex X500R LC QToF system and its functional components which will be used to support current approved PFAS research and future requests from Program Offices.

This acquisition is restricted to the following manufacturer:

Company: AB Sciex LLC Company Address: 1201 Radio Rd, REDWOOD CITY, CA 94065-1217 Company Point of Contact and Phone Number: Michael Etzel (michael.etzel@sciex.com);

Phone number: (301) 788-3085, Sales number: 1 (877) 740-2129, ServiceSales@sciex.com

3. Description of the supplies and/or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value):

Preventative maintenance and service contract for an AB Sciex X500R LC QToF system and its functional components (See Specifications attached below).

The Assurance Plan 1PM cost is [REDACTED] and is required to be performed by AB Sciex with a period of performance from 8/1/2026 to 7/31/2027. Below is a description of the service to be performed and what is included in the cost.

• Guaranteed* 2 business day onsite response time for remedial repairs.

• Parts, labor and travel for remedial repair.

• 1 Assurance PM visit per contract year.

• On-site support and troubleshooting

• Workflow telephone and online support during normal business hours

• SCIEX Now™ Visual Assist Support

• Premium content access to SCIEX Now™ Learning Hub and Knowledge base online

• 25% discount on Fixed Priced services.

• Access to StatusScope™ on compatible models. Service Center Repair and On-site

Hardware Troubleshooting and Repair with Standard Response Time.

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

This noncompetitive action is conducted pursuant to the authority of 41 USC 1901.

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

The US EPA’s Office of Applied Sciences and Environmental Solutions (OASES) has a requirement to develop targeted and non-target analytical methods to detect and quantitate per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in environment samples to support approved research and program office requirements. The laboratory instrumentation manufacturer, AB Sciex, is the only qualified entity to provide service and support for its manufactured analytical instruments. AB Sciex technicians are uniquely qualified to provide the upgrades and services for instruments developed and manufactured by AB Sciex. As the instrument developer/manufacturer, they have unique insight in preparing, maintaining, and upgrading the system in all its components, thereby maximizing uptime and productivity; eliminating the uncontrollable cost of unplanned and costly maintenance and repairs as well as owning the proprietary software necessary to run the instrument. If this award was made to any other entity than AB Sciex, the warranty for instrument parts would be voided, leading to an unacceptable decrease in value to EPA (i.e., losing a previously held warranty), along with increased costs to maintain and repair the instrument. As a result, only AB Sciex can furnish the requirements to the exclusion of other sources because maintenance and repair require AB Sciex factory-certified replacement parts and authorized repair performed by an AB Sciex technician.

6. Description of efforts made to ensure offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by RFO 5 and, if not, which exception applies:

There is only one responsible source available for the requirement given the specifications and a solicitation notice will not be publicized.

Exemption: RFO FAR 5.201(b)(1)

7. Determination by the CO that the anticipated cost to the government will be fair and reasonable:

The CO determines the anticipated price will be fair and reasonable because the service contract will be purchased using commercial acquisition procedures for an item that is widely available in the marketplace to both Government and non-Government customers. The CO will also rely on the subject matter expertise of the program office’s evaluation team, whose experience, market research, and general knowledge of the marketplace will allow for an opinion as to price fairness and reasonableness for this service contract.

8. A description of the market research conducted and results, or the reason market research was not conducted.

In accordance with FAR Part 10, market research has been conducted for this acquisition.

Currently, only one known vendor and sole source justification has been prepared. This procurement is for a repair/service contract for laboratory equipment which requires AB Sciex factory-certified replacement parts and authorized repair performed by an AB Sciex technician.

9. Any other facts supporting using other than full and open competition:

This equipment is critical to performing the agency’s mission and it is necessary to maintain the instrument’s operational capability while providing subsequent maintenance and repair throughout the period of performance.

10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed in writing an interest in the acquisition:

Only responsible source identified – AB Sciex LLC summitted a quote.

11. A statement of any actions the agency will take to remove or overcome any future barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required:

No other actions are available to remove or overcome the barriers to competition given that only one responsible source has been identified. The vendor holds the OEM-level knowledge and proprietary information to the technology that allows for the specifications needed for the instrument.

12. CO certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Since this effort does not exceed $900,000, this certification serves as approval.

Keith Pfeffer, Contracting Officer

Signature: Date:

ALL QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS JUSTIFICATION ARE TO BE REFERRED TO

Contract Office: Contracting Officer: Keith Pfeffer at pfeffer.keith@epa.gov or Contracting Specialist: Somer Belcher at belcher.somer@epa.gov.

KEITH PFEFFER Digitally signed by KEITH PFEFFER Date: 2026.07.17 09:22:30 -04'00'