JA Brand Name 1993937 redacted.docx

HHS Template and Instructions for a Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition

“Source Selection Information – see FAR 2.101 and 3.104”

1. Identification of the agency and contracting activity.

a. Federal agency and contracting activity. HHS

b. Sponsoring organization. NIH, NIAID, VRC, VIP

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

a. Acquisition purpose and objectives. The purpose of this acquisition will support The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Vaccine Research Center (VRD), Vaccine Immunology Program (VIP). The Facilities are located at 9 West Watkins Mill Rd, Gaithersburg, Maryland. The VRC/VIP needs a cell analyzer that produces a large volume of results very quickly. The increase of the demand would be met by a machine that can produce 16 reads at a time. The current biomolecular analyzers that are utilized cannot meet the new demands.

b. Project background. In recent years, the VIP-research group has focused upon in-depth analyses of VRC influenza vaccine trials, specifically the complex immunobiology characterizing the B cells recognizing influenza HA-stem region. For example, from an influenza group 1 H5N1 vaccine trial the VIP-research team have described common immunoglobulin lineages that consistently and reproducibly occur within human populations and are capable of neutralizing group 1 and 2 influenza strains by targeting the HA-stem region. Also, within the VIP reside both the translational and clinical testing laboratories are responsible for the development, implementation and eventual deployment of qualified virus neutralization, humoral and cellular analyses appropriate for prospective licensure of VRC-NIAID vaccines.

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

a. Project title. Purchase of Octet 384Red Biomolecular Analyzer

b. Project description. Reference in the attached Bill of Materials (BOM)

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

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of 41 United States Code (U.S.C.) 41 USC 1901(e)(_2_) as set forth in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.501- _(a)_.

This acquisition will be a brand name Justification. Only one brand meets the current needs of the lab.

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

The requested equipment will be used during real-time kinetic interactions of influenza vaccine testing and development. Due to current new demands on productions, the equipment needs to produce high throughput small and large molecule characterization, provide measurement of both weak and tight binding affinities and produce 16 simultaneous reads in as quick a time as possible. (Current market has a two-minute turn-around time).