Sole Source Justification-VICAM 7-29-20_wpw_pdf CO TL.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

MANDATORY TEMPLATE FOR FEDERAL PROCUREMENTS UNDER THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

1. Estimated Dollar Value: $47,684.10

2. Anticipated Period of Performance: August 2020 through September 2021

3. Does the anticipated Period of Performance include option years? If no, explain. Yes

4. Sources Sought Notice posted to Contract Opportunities and attached to this document?

☐ Yes ☐ No

5. Market Research conducted and attached to this document? If not, explain.

6. Is this a new requirement or a follow-on to an expiring award?

☒ New requirement ☐ Follow-on to an expiring award

7. Describe the requirement. Please note that the requirement is the minimum acceptable specification or capability, and is not necessarily the best in the industry. Please note whether any additional follow-on work is anticipated in response to the current proposed effort.

The VICAM Aflatest Procedure is used to determine aflatoxin concentration in samples of corn grain harvested from experimental field plots. In order to make meaningful comparisons of the results of the aflatoxin analyses from year-to-year, it is important that use of the Vicam Aflatest, which has been used in the past, be continued as the analytical procedure for determining aflatoxin concentration. The attached quote is for supplies needed to perform the analyses. The supplies must have the following specifications: All purchased supplies must meet the standards set by GIPSA and AOAC to process corn grain samples for aflatoxin levels using the Vicam AflaTest. Immunoaffinity columns (p-columns), aflatoxin standards, disposable cuvettes, and thermal printer paper must be able to interface physically with our Unit’s Series IV Fluorometers and work with the fluorometer’s software. Glass filters, fluted filters, and developer must meet necessary standards to prepare corn samples treated with methanol so that our results are accurate and consistent during the aflatoxin quantification process. Vicam is the only known company that sells supplies to conduct the AflaTest. The price for p-columns has been discounted to $5.00/column for ARS research units conducting aflatoxin research. The equipment is being purchased for the USDA-ARS Corn Host Plant Resistance Research Unit, Mississippi State, MS.

8. List the proposed vendor and contact information.

VICAM

34 Maple St.

Milford, MA 01757 Phone: 1-877-228-4244 Contact: Linda Asher/Crystal Heaven

X

FBO Sources Sought

9. Describe why the proposed vendor is the only vendor from which the requirement can be obtained. Examples of acceptable justifications include but are not limited to: sole manufacturer and seller, adherence to warranty provisions, urgency, etc. If other vendors can provide similar products or services, describe why they cannot meet our particular requirement.

The Corn Host Plant Resistance Research Unit (CHPRRU), Mississippi State, MS, has been conducting research for over 30 years with the goal of developing corn germplasm with resistance to aflatoxin accumulation in corn grain. Being able to accurately quantify high levels of aflatoxin in grain samples is critical to the mission of the Unit. Our scientists have determined that the Vicam AflaTest is superior to other commercial aflatoxin-quantification methods due to the range of detection, accuracy, and consistency. The AflaTest has approval of the USDA Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards

Administration (GIPSA) and of the American Organization of Analytical Chemists (AOAC). Through the years, the CHPRRU has invested heavily in equipment necessary to conduct the AflaTest for aflatoxin quantifications. The Vicam Series IV

Fluorometer is necessary for quantifying aflatoxin and is sold only by Vicam. This piece of equipment is a “work horse” that allow our technical staff to process 8,000 to 10,000 samples every year. Other equipment specially fabricated by Vicam are pump stands that greatly increase the efficiency of the analytical processes by allowing our staff to process multiple samples at one time. The Vicam technical staff has been a great resource in trouble shooting when issues arise during the quantification process, and they also provide loaner fluorometers if our equipment needs to be serviced. Vicam is the only source of AflaTest supplies that are needed to utilize our Series IV Fluorometers to complete evaluations of our corn lines for resistance to aflatoxin accumulation.

Specific Requirements:

The supplies must have the following specifications: All purchased supplies must meet the standards set by GIPSA and

AOAC to process corn grain samples for aflatoxin levels using the Vicam AflaTest. Immunoaffinity columns (p-columns), aflatoxin standards, disposable cuvettes, and thermal printer paper must be able to interface physically with our Unit’s

Series IV Fluorometers and work with the fluorometer’s software. Glass filters, fluted filters, and developer must meet necessary standards to prepare corn samples treated with methanol so that our results are accurate and consistent during the aflatoxin quantification process. Vicam is the only known company that sells supplies to conduct the AflaTest. The price for p-columns has been discounted to $5.00/column for ARS research units conducting aflatoxin research. The equipment is being purchased for the USDA-ARS Corn Host Plant Resistance Research Unit, Mississippi State, MS.

To meet the standards necessary for quantifying aflatoxin levels in corn samples and be compatible with our fluorometers, immunoaffinity columns should be 1 ml columns containing immobilized antibodies to aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, and G2 and are filled with preserved buffer solutions. Columns should have the ability to quantify aflatoxin levels ranging from 1.0 to 10,000 ppb, and be able to be stored for 1 year at room temperature without loss of column performance. Vicam is the only known source for Immunoaffinity columns which meet the specifications listed above and are calibrated to use with our Series IV Fluorometers to accurately quantify aflatoxin in ground corn. Additional supplies (glass filters, fluted filters, standards, disposable cuvettes, thermal printer paper, and developer) are required to process and prepare samples for accurate readings by our fluorometers.

10. Certification:

I hereby certify that the information provided above is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

W. Paul Williams, Research Leader 7/29/20

Typed/Printed Name and Signature of Technical Representative Date

11. CO Certification:

I hereby determine that the circumstances of this procurement action deem only one source reasonably available. Also, the quoted price is determined to be fair and reasonable as documented on the SAP e-File Checklist and Award Summary.

Contracting Officer Date