Sole Source Justification Avidity_Redacted.pdf

NOV 2024

Control Number:

Sole Source Justification (SSJ) for Requirements under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

1. Identification of the Agency and Contracting Activity: The Defense Centers for Public Health – Aberdeen (DCPH-A), Defense Health Agency (DHA), United States Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA).

2. Description of Action: The DCPH-A Toxicology Directorate has a requirement for annual Preventative Maintenance and Support Services for the Automatic Animal Drinking Water System that is located at DCPH-A. The Contractor shall provide non-personal services to verify calibration, adjustments, repairs and/or replacement of parts to keep the system operating at full performance.

New Requirement Purchase Order Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Order against BPA # Order against Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract Order against Single Award IDIQ Contract # Order against Federal Supply Schedule Contract #

Follow-on Requirement to Contract/Order # W91ZLK22P0077. Preventative Maintenance on the Animal Drinking Water System at E2100 and E2101 was part of this requirement.

Modification against existing Contract/Order and Modification #

Contract Type Fixed Price Time & Materials/Labor Hours Cost Reimbursable Hybrid

3. Description of Services or Supplies and Estimated Value: This is a non-personal services contract to provide twice a year services for on-site preventative maintenance and repair services to thoroughly inspect the Automatic Animal Drinking Water Systems, Pressure Reducing Stations, Watering Control Panels & Sequencer, Room Distribution Systems, Chlroi-flush station, Bottle Filling Station, Indigo Reverse Osmosis Unit, Storage Tank, Filtration and Watchdog EX Software System. The software for controlling the watering system in E2850 will need to be upgraded prior to preventative maintenance as the current software control system that was installed with the building cannot be put on-line for monitoring or receiving alarms. These services and software updates are required in order to achieve maximum performance, meet life expectancy, and to provide water continuously to animals.

Period Period of Performance Estimated Value Type of Funding Base Period 9/3/2025 - 9/2/2026 Option Period 1 9/3/2026 - 9/2/2027 Option Period 2 9/3/2027 - 9/2/2028

Total

4. Authority:

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1): For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name, or industrial mobilization).

5. Reason for Authority Cited: Avidity Science LLC is the only vendor that meets the requirements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS). Avidity Science LLC is the proprietary service provider for avidity science drinking water systems currently in use in DCPH’s laboratories. Per Avidity Science LLC, “Avidity Science is a manufacturer of proprietary custom products.” The Avidity Science Drinking Water System uses the proprietary Watchdog EX Software System which monitors and alarms in the event of a water flow/leak issue with the Avidity Science Autowatering System. The Avidity Science Flosense device can detect a water flow event and trigger an alert or alarm occurring down to the actual animal rack level. The Watchdog EX Software is the controlling mechanism and also controls flushing of auto watering lines to maintain clean drinking water. To ensure proper maintenance of the Automatic Drinking Water System and the Watchdog EX Software, Avidity Science Service Technicians are used to handle the preventative maintenance and repair services. Avidity Science LLC is the only company that can provide the Watchdog EX Software and provide updates or software patches to the software. The preventative maintenance on the Drinking Water Systems and Software is done by Avidity Science Service Technicians who are employees of Avidity Science LLC and are trained and mentored by Senior Avidity Science Technicians. Avidity Science LLC does not have distributors nor third-party agreements with any other vendor to sell their software, systems, services or equipment. To ensure quality standards, Avidity Science manufactured components can be only sourced through Avidity Science LLC. Substitutions of any components or improper maintenance can cause system failures and will void warranties of the equipment.

6. Market Research: Market Research was conducted between December 2024 and April 2025 by the DCPH-A Veterinary Support Office. The DCPH-A Veterinary Support Office contacted knowledgeable people in specific markets, contacting the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to confirm maintenance requirements. The DCPH-A Veterinary Support Office contacted the OEM to confirm maintenance requirements and available service providers. The manufacturer noted that Avidity Science designs and manufactures their products at their central operational headquarter facility. Additionally, the parts used by the Technicians are proprietary parts that are manufactured at the same central operational headquarter facility.

Additionally, Internet searches to locate all potential sources in the marketplace that could potentially meet the Government’s requirements were completed by the customer. A Google search for “Avidity Automatic Animal Drinking Water Maintenance and Repair” did not result in any organizations (other than Avidity Science LLC) that service the equipment. Also, a search of the AALAS Buyer’s Guide online brought up Avidity Science LLC and no other organizations that could service the requirement.

The requirement was synopsized on the Government Point of Entry (SAM.gov) via a Notice of Intent to Sole Source on 16 July 2025 for a period of 15 days (in accordance with FAR subpart 5.2). No responses were received from industry in response to the notice of intent to sole source.

7. Other Facts:

a. Procurement History:

(1) Is this a new requirement? No

(2) If 7.a.(1) is No, was the action just prior to this one competed? Yes

(3) If 7.a.(2) is Yes, what has changed where this action cannot be competed? The previous requirement W91ZLK22P0077 was competed as a Total Small Business Set-Aside by the previous Contracting Office. The sole vendor who responded to the request for the Preventative Maintenance and Service Support was Avidity Science LLC. Through Market Research and correspondence with Avidity Science LLC representatives throughout 2025, it was found that Avidity Science LLC is the only vendor capable of providing the preventative maintenance and support services for the automatic animal drinking water system. As stated earlier in the Sole Source Justification document, a Notice of Intent was posted to SAM.gov and no responses were received from industry, which validated that this was indeed a Sole Source requirement.

b. Additional Information: The previous contract that is currently in use is for the preventative maintenance of the automatic drinking water system located in building E2100 and E2101 at DCPH-A. This requirement will provide preventative maintenance to the new system that was installed into the E2850 vivarium. This automatic drinking water system and the Watchdog software system was developed by Avidity Science LLC, and they are the only company that provides preventative maintenance and repairs on their products. As stated earlier, failure to properly maintain the items will lead to proper care to the animals not being provided and potential loss in accreditation which could lead to mission failure.

8. Technical Certification:

I certify the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

9. Requirements Certification:

I certify the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

10. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable.

Basis for Determination: The basis for determination to determine a fair and reasonable price based upon price analysis in accordance with FAR 13.106-3.

11. Contracting Officer Determination: I certify this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.