Sole Source Justification .pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Single Source/Brand Name Justification

Less Than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)

Control No. (if applicable) ______________________

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

Requesting Agency:

USDA APHIS VS NVSL

Diagnostic Virology Lab 1920 Dayton Ave Ames, IA 50010

Contracting Activity:

USDA APHIS MRPBS AAMD

Minneapolis Procurement Branch

250 MARQUETTE AVE

SUITE 410

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55401

2. Description of supply or service required to meet the agency’s needs.

This is the acquisition is for one year service, maintenance, and software coverage that improves the functionality of previously purchased software for the Technai Spirit Biotwin transmission electron microscope, serial number D1185, located in the Diagnostic Virology Laboratory at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA from 01-01-2025 to 12-31-2025. This scope is used to carry out diagnostic testing for the laboratory.

Specifically:

• Monday through Friday coverage of service for phone service, labor, travel expenses and covered replacement parts

• One Preventative Maintenance Inspection to be performed during a twelve-month period, point of contact for setting up this visit provided and updated as needed

• Service visits with 48 hour targeted onsite labor response (includes labor, travel, living expenses and parts)

• All necessary parts

• Software updates on previously purchased software

• Unlimited telephone support (telephone number provided at start of contract) Monday through Friday excluding holidays Point of contact information if contact changes – will be notified of new point of contact

3. Rationale or circumstances for limiting competition.

The rationale for soliciting from a single source, including brand name in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) and FAR 13.106-3(b)(3)(i).

The Diagnostic Virology Laboratory (DVL) is a biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) facility with a primary mission of isolating and/or identifying viral pathogens. The electron microscope (EM) is integral to identifying some pathogens and, in some cases, EM examination must be conducted with expediency.

Since pathogens within the DVL must remain in that facility, EM testing must be conducted on the microscope in the DVL.

Since EM testing is conducted 'as needed' the microscope must be functional at all times. As such, when a service call is initiated, the response for repair should be within 2 work days. In addition, phone support with a qualified EM technician must be available in the event the problem may be resolved without on-site assistance. If new EM parts or components are required, they should be shipped within 1 day of their order. In addition to the above service/repair requirements, one scheduled preventive maintenance visit must be performed on the EM yearly by a competent EM technician to assure the continued functionality of the EM and to provide software updates to the EM computer, as required. The Technai Spirit Biotwin was purchased and has been maintained by the Thermo Fisher (formally FEI Company) for all but 2 years of its purchase. They have provided excellent service for the DVL electron microscopes for over 30 years. Thermo Fisher meets all of the requirements outlined above. They have a dedicated support phone line that you can call and get immediate help if needed. A qualified EM technician is in contact with the lab periodically through the year.

4. Description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

A very limited number of TEM maintenance providers are available to our location and for our specific equipment. The TEM in our laboratory was purchased from FEI, and the FEI technicians are specifically trained to work on this microscope. The TEM in our laboratory has been worked on by other companies. As previously stated above – difficulties were experienced in getting responses for phone service and preventative maintenance visits

5. Estimated price, including all options, if applicable.

Estimated to be

6. Recommended source(s).

FEI Company/Thermo-Fisher

Certifications

☒ The information provided for this justification has been reviewed and certified accurate and complete by _Melinda Jenkins-Moore, NVSL/DVL/Supervisory Microbiologist.

Contracting Officer (less than SAT). I have reviewed this justification and certify it to be accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Kim Yen Tu Contracting Officer

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