SSJ_FACS.pdf

Revised 2020

FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b)

Open Market Orders Exceeding $10,000 but Not Exceeding $250,000

Sole-Single Source (including Brand-Name) Justification

SOLE-SINGLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

“Source Selection Information – see FAR 2.101 and 3.104”

1. Identification of the Agency and Contracting Activity.

a. Federal Agency and Contracting Activity.

Department of Health and Human Services National Institute of Health National Institute on Drug Abuse

b. Sponsoring Organization.

National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program Behavioral Neuroscience Research Branch Neuronal Ensembles in Addiction Section

c. Project Officer Information.

• Bruce Hope

• BRC Building – NIDA IRP

Suite 200 251 Bayview Blvd Behavioral Neuroscience Research Branch, Room 06A721A Baltimore, MD 21224

• bhope@intra.nida.nih.gov

• 443-740-2585

2. Project Description.

a. Name of Item or Project Title.

Purchase of low maintenance fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) system

b. Description of the Item or Service.

Purpose

To procure one (1) low maintenance FACS system to examine how neuronal ensembles in brain encode memories underlying food and drug seeking in rat and mouse addiction research models. It is particularly important that the new FACS system uses lasers and optics similar to our current FACS CANTO II from

BD Biosciences. This allows NIDA IRP to use all of the same fluorescent labels and protocols for continuation of the research and maintain the integrity of the research data.

Background

The Behavioral Neuroscience Branch and other researchers explore the neural mechanisms underlying food and drug relapse in rat and mouse addiction research models. The investigators focus on neuronal ensembles and cell types that encode long-term memories that mediate how cues induce relapse.

Investigators examine: (1) the cellular phenotypes and recent activity states of neurons in the brain that were activated during learning or memory recall, (2) cell type and neural activity-induced gene expression, protein and post-translational alterations in neurons that were recently activated during learning or memory recall. The fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) system uses fluorescently labeled markers to identify specific cell types and activity states and sorts them into different containers for subsequent molecular and cellular analyses.

3. Market Research (see FAR Part 10).

a. Within the past 12-months the undersigned program official conducted market research by:

Contacted knowledgeable individuals in Government and industry regarding market capabilities of the product or service requirement

• Published formal requests for information in appropriate technical or scientific journals or business publications

Participated in interactive, online communication among industry, acquisition personnel, and customers

• Obtained source lists of similar items from other contracting activities or agencies, trade associations or other sources

Reviewed catalogs and other generally available product literature published by manufacturers, distributors, and dealers or available online – see Market Research Document

• Conducted interchange meetings or holding presolicitation conferences to involve potential offerors prior to submission of the acquisition request

• Searched previous purchases of similar/identical acquisitions Searched the Internet by key words

• Program official did not conduct market research

b. The results of market research have determined that:

Commercial items or service are customarily available in the commercial marketplace Nondevelopmental items that could be modified to meet program’s needs are customarily available in the commercial marketplace Nondevelopmental items used exclusively for governmental purposes are available to meet program’s needs Items or services are available that must meet the requirements of law or regulations Items are available that contain recovered materials or are energy efficient No 8(a) sources could be found No two small business socio-economic sources (e.g., HubZone, SDB, WOSB, SDVOSB) could be found No other sources could be found

4. Acquisition Type.

This acquisition exceeds $10,000 and not expected to exceed $250,000, and conducted in accordance with FAR Part 13—Simplified Acquisition Procedures.

5. Acquisition Authority. This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 13.106-1(b) Soliciting from a single source. (1) For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, or industrial mobilization).

6. Justification Rationale.

Only one source is available:

NIDA publicized sources sought notice (SSN) # 75N95020Q00133 on May 22, 2020 with the silent characterictics for the requested FACS system. NIDA received only one (1) capability statement in response to the notice from BD Biosciences – large business. In their response, BD stated that BD is the sole manufacturer and distributor of the BD FACS Melody system that is able to meet all of the requirements and specifications outlined in the SSN; No capable small businesses were identified; NIDA subsequently publicized a Notice of Intent to Sole Source on beta.SAM.gov on June 22nd, 2020. The notice expired on July 6th, 2020. NIDA did not receive any responses to the notice.

Based on the market research, NIDA determined that the requested FACS system is available from only one source - BD Biosciences. Only the BD Biosciences FACS Melody machine satisfies all the critical technical needs that NIDA IRP requires to perform the experiments. There are no other known substitutes available that satisfy all the technical requirements. Accordingly, a sole source purchase is recommended.

7. Any other facts supporting the justification.

None.

Project Officer Certification. The undersigned program official(s) certifies that the information in support of this justification for the proposed acquisition has been reviewed, is completed and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief and recommends approval.

____________ _____ ______June 14, 2020_ Project Officer Date

8. Contracting Officer Certification. The Contracting Officer certifies that the justification for the proposed acquisition has been reviewed and that to the best of my knowledge and belief the information and/or data provided to support the rationale and recommendation for approval is accurate and complete and in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), the facts of this acquisition preclude the use of full and open competition.

Contracting Officer Date

7/7/20

“Source Selection Information – see FAR 2.101 and 3.104”