Redacted_QuantStudio3_BrandNameJustification.pdf

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

1. Contracting Agency and Activity

The Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey, plans to contract by means other than full and open competition. This document sets forth the justification and approval for an award to purchase an Applied Biosystems by Thermofisher

QuantStudio 3 instrument. This document sets forth the justification and approval as required by FAR 13.106-1.

2. Nature of Action being Approved

The Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) intends a new firm-fixed price purchase order for a Brand Name Applied Biosystems by Thermofisher

QuantStudio 3 instrument.

3. Description of Supplies of Services

The U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) requires the purchase of an Applied Biosystems by Thermofisher QuantStudio 3 instrument for work related to development and refinement of qPCR assays for environmental DNA and RNA analysis.

4. Statutory Authority

The proposed action may be awarded through a Brand Name Justification in accordance with FAR 13.106-1.

5. Rationale Supporting Use of Citation in NO. 5.

The Applied Biosystems by Thermofisher QuantStudio 3 instrument provides capability of conducting qPCR analysis with ROX passive dye normalization as well as simultaneous analysis with 3 different temperature profiles which are both required for efficient and effective development and refinement of qPCR assays for environmental

DNA and RNA analysis. If this contract is not awarded, data integrity could be compromised by improper optimization and validation, and UMESC will be unable to deliver on the Department of Interior and Presidential priorities of practicing gold standard science, protecting the Great Lakes from invasive carp, energy development, border security, and regulatory efficiency.

6. Other Information. N/A

7. The Efforts to Identify Additional Sources Including the Market Research

Conducted

Market research via the internet indicates no other qPCR instrument can conduct analysis with using ROX passive dye normalization and also simultaneously perform qPCR under

3 different temperature profiles. Competition will be available among resellers for the

Thermofisher QuantStudio 3 instrument.

8. Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition

All brands and vendor instrumentation with the ability to provide consistently high-quality equipment for current and future studies will be considered. Future requirements for same/similar items will undergo market research be competed to maximum extent practical.

9. Recommendation and Certification from Program Office

Based on the above, I recommend this acquisition be conducted on the basis of other than full and open competition. I certify the technical data which form a basis for this justification that are the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel are complete and accurate.

The U.S Geological Survey (USGS) considers employee signature to be Personal Information and therefore all employee signatures have been redacted. By posting this document, the Contracting Officer attests all appropriate signatures have been obtained.