Sole_Source_Justification-as_required_by_FAR_13_106-1b1-Redacted_1.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION FOR ACQUISITION UNDER THE

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

PR: 0040660905

1. Contracting Agency and Activity. The Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey, plans to contract on a sole source basis. This document sets forth the justification and approval as required by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1).

2. Nature of Action Being Approved.

System upgrade for the following spectrometer detection system valued at $175,000:

Oxford Instruments combined electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) XMAX SN: 40094.

3. Description of Supplies or Services.

The USGS Denver Microbeam Laboratory (Geology Geophysics and Geochemistry Science Center) request award of a non-competitive procurement to Oxford Instruments America, Inc. for a system upgrade to replace an aging EBSD camera, add a Unity EDS, replace control boxes, update proprietary software, and provide installation and training.

4. Estimated Dollar Value.

The total estimated dollar value is

5. Statutory Authority. The proposed action may be awarded on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) – only one source reasonably available.

6. Rationale Supporting Use of Citation in No. 5.

USGS Mineral Resources Program currently operates an Oxford Instruments energy dispersive spectrometer and electron backscattered diffraction (EDS-EBSD) integrated detection system which is controlled through the Oxford Instruments Aztec software package. This software package is also used for data outputs and analyses. The current EBSD has reached the end of its useful life and must be replaced. The replacement EBSD must seamlessly integrate into the existing system to allow simultaneous detection with the existing EDS, work with current communication protocols, and provide data outputs that match current workflows to allow for data continuity. The detection hardware, software control interface, and data analysis software are proprietary and only Oxford Instruments can provide the necessary components.

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION FOR ACQUISITION UNDER THE

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

Denver Acquisition Branch Market Research:

, Contract Specialist performed market research for the program office prior to receiving a purchase request in this office.

a. Open Market: The Contract Specialist posted a sources sought notice DOIGFBO240053 via SAM.gov (Contract Opportunities) April 16, 2024 through April 22, 2024 for market research purposes and received one response and that was from the Sole Source, Oxford Instruments Inc.

b. GSA eBuy: The Contract Specialist posted an RFQ 1690680 (Seeking Sources) via GSA eBuy April 16, 2024 through April 22, 2024 for market research purposes and did not receive any responses.

Contracting Officer assigned to this requirement reviewed the information provided by

, Contract Specialist and finds the information provided is acceptable.

9. Future Plans to Permit Competition.

Additional market research will be conducted via professional seminars, Internet searches, professional publications, and future sources sought notices to the test market for new entrants with authorization to provide factory trained service personnel or access to proprietary parts and software in the interest of providing competition to the maximum extent practicable.

10. Recommendation and Certification from Program Office

Based on the above, I recommend this acquisition be conducted on a sole source basis and certify the above statements are true and accurate.

Signature/Date

11. Certifications from the Contracting Officer:

a. Price reasonableness will be based on Oxford Instruments America, Inc.’s current price list and paid invoices.

b. This justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.