P06_JA_REQ 116560_Soil Analyzers NRCS MI_Redacted.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture

Limited Source/Brand Name Justification

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) – Simplified Acquisitions

Req. 116560

Control No: FY24-FPAC-Justification-023

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Production Conservation (FPAC) Business Center

(BC) Acquisitions Division (AD) submits this Limited Source/Brand Name Justification for approval for procurement of one (1) each Portable X-Ray Fluorescence (pXRF) analyzer and one (1) each Laser-Induced

Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) analyzer directly from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), SciAps, Inc., of Woburn, MA.

2. Description of supply or service required to meet the agency’s needs.

One (1) each Portable X-Ray Fluorescence (pXRF) analyzer and one (1) Laser-Induced Breakdown

Spectroscopy (LIBS) analyzer directly from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), SciAps, Inc., of

Woburn, MA. These items, when sold, together form the contractor’s “One Box” assembly. The pXRF is a small, lightweight handheld X-Ray analyzer capable of elemental analysis of soils, particularly in the identification of pollutant metals. The LIBS analyzer is also a handheld device which operates using a pulsed, focused laser, capable of analyzing any element.

3. The rational or circumstances for limiting competition.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Michigan State

Office Soil Specialists are tasked with analysis and maintenance of soil health throughout the state.

Because soil health cannot be accurately measured by only crop yield, water quality, or any other single outcome, specialists must evaluate other indicators. Indicators are measurable properties of soil or plants that provide clues about how well the soil can function. Measurable indicators such as physical, chemical, and biological properties require the use of highly technical analysis equipment.

The pXRF and LIBs provide rapid, non-invasive soil analysis for numerous elements, including heavy metals and total carbon. These devices provide on-the-spot analysis of the presence of metal pollutants which is critical to the specialists’ capabilities to assist landowners in planning and land management. The ability to rapidly identify heavy metals and carbon concentrations affords specialists and landowners the ability to increase carbon sequestration and implement conservation practices.

Similar devices do exist; however, only the pXRF and LIBS manufactured by SciAps, Inc., offers soil analysis to the extent required by NRCS Michigan. The LIBs device includes measurements for Lithium (LI), Berylium

(Be), Boron (B), Carbon (C), Flourine (F), Sodium (Na); and pXRF must include at least Magnesium (Mg), Aluminum (Al), Silicon (Si), Phosphorus (P), Sulfur (S), Potassium (K), Calcium (C), Titanium (Ti), Chromium

(Cr), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Cobalt (Co), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Arsenic (As), Selenium (Se), Strontium (Sr), Rubidium (Rb), Zirconium (Zr), Niobium (Nb), Molybdenum (Mo), Silver (Ag), Cadmium (Cd), Tin (Sn), Antimony (Sb), Barium (Ba), Tantalum (Ta), Thallium (Tl), Lead (Pb), and Bismuth (Bi).

4. A description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Market research consisted of researching GSA Advantage and Ability One for potential contract holders, which revealed no positive results. Internet searches were also conducted, revealing the existence of other similar products offered by Hitachi, Bruker Nano Analytics, and Thermo Fisher Scientific. These items offered by these manufacturers do not offer LIBS capable of soil analysis. Only SciAps analyzers provide the soil analysis capabilities required by NRCS Michigan.

In addition to the market research described above, SciAps, Inc., confirmed via email dated 8 June 2023 that the manufacturing data is considered proprietary to SciAps, Inc., and that none of the data or specifications have been sold or released commercially to any other manufacturer. There are no authorized distributors for these products as all sale are processed by SciAps representatives nationwide.

5. Estimated price, including all options, if applicable.

This requirement will be satisfied as a one-time purchase,

6. Recommended Source(s).

SciAps, Inc., Woburn, MA is the only manufacturer in possession of the manufacturing data required to produce the pXRF and LIBS devices. These devices are the only items identified through extensive market research that can satisfy the Government’s needs in terms of rapid soil analysis.

Certifications

Supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel and which form the basis for this justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.

Chris Valvano

State Soil Scientist

NRCS Michigan

The information contained in this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief and in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.106-1(b)(1), I hereby determine the circumstances described above deem only one source, or limited sources, reasonable available and competition is precluded for the reasons indicated in this document.

Shermeka Showers

Contracting Officer

USDA FPAC-BC