Redacted_Limiting_Competition_Under_SAT_-_HPIC_5000_(Post).pdf

Memorandum for Record – Limiting Competition at or below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

1. Contracting Activity: The U.S. Army Contracting Command – New Jersey, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000.

2. Description of Action: Acquisition of High Pressure Ion Chromatography (HPIC) System.

Nature: New Requirement Follow-on Requirement

Contract Vehicle: Purchase Order Number TBD

Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Number

Order/BPA# against FSS Contract #

Order #_ against Multiple Award IDIQ Contract Name or #_

Order # against a single award IDC Contract

Modification # to existing PO/TO/DO/Call Order

Pricing/Contract Type: Fixed Price Time & Materials/Labor Hours

Cost Reimbursable Hybrid

Funds: Operations & Maintenance, Army (OMA) Other Funds: RDT&E

FY: 2016-2017

Name of Proposed Contractor(s) and Address:

Thermo Electron North America LLC 5225 Verona Road Madison, WI 53711

Brand Name Buy: Yes No

3. Description of Services or Supplies: The Demil and Environmental Technology Division (D&ETD) at U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) requires a new firm fixed price purchase order for one (1) High Pressure Ion Chromatography (HPIC) system. The HPIC system shall come with a twelve (12) month manufacturer’s warranty. In addition, there will be one (1) option period for twelve (12) months for a service contract on the following HPIC components:

conductivity detectors, eluent generator, auto-sampler, the analytical isocratic, the gradient dual pump and the detector compartment. The ICS 5000+ HPIC system is capable of measuring concentrations of chemical cations and anions in various media.

Total Value: $ 129,086.00

Base Period: Twelve (12) months from date of installation Value: $117,341.00 Option 1: Twelve (12) months from Base Period Value: $11,745.00

Total: $129,086.00_

4. Authority:

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

Or

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B) and 8.405-6(b)(1)Brand Name

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(A) Urgency

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B) Only One Source is Capable

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(C) Logical Follow-on

Or

FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B) Only One Awardee is Capable

FAR 16.505(a)(4) Brand Name

FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(A) Urgency

FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(C) Logical Follow-on

FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(D) Minimum Guarantee

5. Reasons for Authority Cited: The D&ETD requires an ion chromatography system to support mission requirements. The system must have the flexibility to measure cations and anions simultaneously, or analyze two samples in parallel. This configuration is required to increase sample throughput. The ion chromatograph must be able to measure analytes over a large concentration range, from parts per billion (ppb), up to and including, parts per million (ppm). Additionally, a high capacity auto-sampler is required to maintain sample vial temperature throughout the analytical period. Finally, the system shall be capable of automatic eluent generation to minimize errors and improve reproducibility.

Control No:

Contractor: Thermo Electron North America LLC

Program: High Pressure Ion Chromatography (HPIC) System

The ICS 5000+ Ion Chromatography system, manufactured by Thermo Electron North America is the only commercially available ion chromatography product capable of meeting all D&ETD requirements. The dual channels on the ICS-5000+ allow different types of analyses on the same sample, and can also perform the same analysis on both channels to double analytical quantities. The corresponding analytical columns cover multiple types of chemistry and support the required ppb through ppm concentration range. The automated sampler can support up to eighty-one (81), ten (10) milliliter vials and keep temperature constant between 4°C and 60°C prior to analysis. The ICS-5000+ generates its own eluent, which minimizes human errors and leads to better data quality. The ICS-5000+ configuration operates at capillary, microbore or standard ion chromatography flow rates. This enables maximum up-time and does not require the user to dedicate considerable labor to disassemble and reassemble the system to obtain desired operating conditions.

If the ICS-5000+ system is not procured, D&ETD will not be able to support customer requirements. Additionally, failure to procure the ICS-5000+ system may result in the Division transitioning demil or waste technologies to the field that did not reduce contamination to sufficiently low levels. There is a strong likelihood researchers may not be able to appropriately determine proper technology readiness level (TRL) if their output is not analyzed by ICS-5000+. This results in risks to the personnel, or Soldiers who will utilize the technology. Therefore, this equipment is being pursued on a limited competition under brand name restriction.

6. Publicizing Contract Actions: For FAR Part 13 actions, the public display and synopsis requirements of FAR 5.101 and FAR 5.203 do not apply due to the $ threshold, apply and will be followed, or do not apply due to an exception at

5.202 .

Requirement to post justification in accordance with FAR 8.405-6(b)(3), FAR 13.105(c), or FAR 16.505(a)(4)(iii)(A)

Action is NOT a brand name restriction and is under $150K, no posting required

Action is a brand name restriction, under $25K, no posting required

Action is a brand name restriction, over $25K. It will be redacted and posted with the solicitation.

Action is a brand name restriction over $25K but will not be posted due to exception:

FAR 6.305(f)

FAR 8.405-6(b)(3)(iii)(A)

FAR 8.405-6(b)(3)(iii)(B)

FAR 8.405-6(b)(3)(iii)(C)

FAR 16.505(a)(4)(iii(C)

7. Market Research: The D&ETD Technical Team conducted extensive market research from fall 2015 through summer 2016, until completion of their Market Research Report on 5 December 2016. In accordance with the techniques at FAR 10.002(b)(2)(i) and (vii), the team identified three (3) sources offering ion chromatography systems. The three sources interested in the market research are as follows: Thermo Electron, North America, Metrohm, and MPF Federal, LLC. Based on a review of the information provided by the three vendors, only Thermo Electron, North America’s ICS-5000+ chromatograph system meets all the Government requirements.

Metrohm’s proposed Ion Chromatograph model did not meet the Government requirement as it did not appear capable of operating at the required high pressure capillary environments. Thermo Electron’s system can continuously operate at pressures up to 5,000 pounds per square inch (psi) versus Metrohm’s model which can operate up to about 60 psi. Furthermore, the auto-sampler model sold by Metrohm does not offer temperature control, which is a critical performance parameter.

MPF Federal’s submission proposed purchasing the ICS-5000+ from the manufacturer (Thermo Electron) and re-selling it to the Government. Thermo Electron stated during the market research that they do not have authorized resellers of their equipment.

8. Other Facts: Not applicable as this is a first time purchase.

9. Technical/Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Typed Name:

Date:

Title:

Signature:

10. Contracting Officer Certification/Approval:

I hereby determine that the anticipated cost or price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable based upon a price analysis of the quote and the Independent Government Cost Estimate.

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief, and that completing this purchase as a sole source is in the best interest of the Government. Additionally, I approve this justification to limit competition subject to the availability of funds and provided that the services or supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

Date:

Version – August 2015

Title: Signature:

Concurrence:

Date:

Title:

Signature: