Redacted - JOFOC Sally Sue Maintenance Agreement.pdf

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition at or Below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

Project Title: ___Sally/Sue Platinum Service Plan

I . Identification of the agency and contracting activity

DHHS, NIH, NIAID, ___VRC___________________

Address of the requesting lab/office: 40 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892

II. Description of the project, and supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value)

A. Project Background The lab uses the Sally Sue Simple Western assay, automated Western, to separate and analyze proteins by size from 2-440 kDa either by immunoassay or total protein; analyze an entire cell signaling pathway in a single run; run up to 96 samples in a single run, overnight, with just 5 µL of sample per capillary; quantitate seven different proteins from the pathway plus a loading control (αTubulin).

B. Project Description

The researchers are using the Sally Sue Simple Western system in their experiments and requires an annual maintenance and service agreement for the equipment with unlimited on-site service, including one preventative maintenance visit.

III. Identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition (SELECT ONE) ☒ 41 USC 253(c)(1) a n d F A R P a r t 6 . 3 0 2 - 1 : Only one responsible source ☐ 41 USC 501 a n d F A R P a r t 8 . 4 0 5 - 6 : Federal Supply Schedule (FSS), limited competition

☐ An urgent and compelling need exists, and following the procedures would result in unacceptable delays

☒ Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized; or

☐ In the interest of economy and efficiency, the new work is a logical follow-on to an original Federal Supply Schedule order provided that the original order was placed in accordance with the applicable Federal Supply Schedule ordering procedures. The original order or BPA must not have been previously issued under sole-source or limited-sources procedures.

IV. Demonstration that the proposed contractor(s) unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

A. Name and address of the proposed manufacturer(s)

Protein Simple 3001 Orchard Parkway San Jose, CA 95134

B. Describe why only the requested supply/service will meet the government’s needs The Sally Sue requires an annual maintenance performed by an authorized ProteinSimple representative.

C. Describe why only the proposed contractor is capable of providing the requested supply/service ProteinSimple is the manufacturer of the Sally Sue. The system requires maintenance by an authorized technician in order to guarantee correct servicing. Using another technician could cause damage to the equipment and the manufacturer will not guarantee resolution if another technician causes damage.

Changing variables or causing damage to the equipment prevents the correct interpretation and reporting of the data analysis methodologies in progress. In-process experiments must keep the same variables to avoid corruption of the lab's experiments.