Justification and Approval APPROVED Decision to Restrict Competition Under SAT Requisition 1162866 Solicitation 1232SA26Q0217 Redacted.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Decision to Restrict Competition under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

Identification Number: 1232SA26Q0217

Rev. 10/29/25

In accordance with the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Overhaul (RFO) FAR

12.102 (a), the following documents the decision to restrict competition for this acquisition.

(1) Mission Area and Contracting Activity.

Requisition Number: 1162866.

Requesting Activity Agency: USDA, ARS, MWA, NCAR, BRU, Peoria, IL 61604.

Contracting Activity: Contracting Operations Branch/Acquisition and Property Division.

(2) Brief Description of Supplies or Services 12 bioreactor 2-liter autoclavable glass vessels that must be compatible with Sartorius Biostat-B Bioreactor control units and required parts in accordance as listed in detail in Specifications attachment.

(3) Suggested Source This J&A authorizes and approves the intent to award a sole-source, firm-fixed price contract for the 12 bioreactor 2-liter autoclavable glass vessels that must be compatible with Sartorius Biostat-B Bioreactor control units and required parts in accordance as listed in detail in Specifications attachment. A new contract will continue to provide the critical resources and expertise needed to maintain and enhance the performance of requirement.

The suggested contractor is:

Sartorius Stedim North America, Inc.

545-1 Johnson Avenue Bohemia, NY 11716

UEI: C88MW7TCG4D8

(4) Justification for Restricting Competition and the Basis for that Decision.

A. Explain the unique qualifications/characteristics of the proposed contractor or product and why no other contractor or product/service can meet the Government's need.

The acquisition of the bioreactor vessels must be restricted to Sartorius Stedim North America, Inc. The bioreactor fermentation vessels must be compatible with the Sartorius Bioreactor control unit that is currently in use at the Bioenergy Research Unit (BRU), Peoria, IL location.

Sartorius bioreactor vessels are only sold through Sartorius. Market research did not identify a comparable product made in America.

The bioreactor vessels must be appropriately sized to allow comparison to historic data produced with similarly sized fermentation vessels. Compatibility with current Sartorius Biostat-B Bioreactor control units is required for use and continuity of conditions for experimental design. Procurement of the Sartorius bioreactor fermentation vessels is vital in the ongoing research at the Bioenergy Research Unit (BRU), Peoria, IL location. Sartorius bioreactor vessels and replacement parts have been purchased in the past. Market research did not identify a compatible product made in America.