DnF for OTFOC - Noldus (Redacted).doc

DETERMINATION & FINDINGS FOR OTHER THAN FULL & OPEN COMPETITION

(ACTIONS SAT AND BELOW)

1. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROCUREMENT: The Government requires the purchase of Quantity (Qty) one (1) CatWalk XT 10 Gait Analysis System

2. PROPOSED CONTRACTOR/MANUFACTURER:

Noldus Information Technology Inc.

1503 Edwards Ferry Road, Suite 310

Leesburg, VA 20176-6680

CAGE: 1QW18

UEID: FFJEBPJWL3B7

Business Size: Small Business

3. ESTIMATED TOTAL VALUE: $[REDACTED]

4. STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING CONTRACTING WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION: The statutory authority permitting sole source is 41 USC 1901(e), implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i):

X Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements

5. JUSTIFICATION FOR THE AUTHORITY CITED ABOVE:

The item(s) listed in section one above is available from only one source and competition is precluded for reasons indicated below. There are no substitutes available.

X Proprietary: A patent, copyright, or proprietary data limits competition. The proprietary data are described as follows:

The Special Projects Team (SPT) of the Biological & Biotechnology Sciences (BBS) Division requires the acquisition of the Noldus CatWalk XT to investigate small animal locomotor behavior for a top priority project of [REDACTED]. This system would improve the BBS Division’s preclinical behavior capacity, enabling deeper insights into the rodent biomechanics and potentially uncovering subtle variations in movement patterns that may be indicative of neurological injury.

The Noldus Catwalk XT system consists of an enclosed walkway where a rodent will traverse from one site to another. The system operates through a combination of advanced video capture and their unique Illuminated FootprintsTM technology. The walkway features a glass floor equipped with an embedded light source. As a rodent freely moves across the walkway, a high-speed camera positioned underneath the walkway captures illuminated paw prints which are only released when the rodent’s paw contacts the glass surface. This design allows for precise illumination of the paw print upon contact and a robust collection of over 100 specific gait parameters.

Other widely used gait analysis systems such as the DigiGait and TreadScan utilize a treadmill and high-speed camera to capture and classify footprints, which encompasses a risk of falsely classifying parts of the feet or body as paw prints. The Noldus Catwalk XT system eliminates this risk via their unique Illuminated FootprintsTM technology. This technology ensures that only areas of the paw that are in contact with the glass will be captured, thus promising a direct measurement of print area which provides more precise data for the Division’s research objectives.

Additionally, utilizing a treadmill to control speed and variability between subjects could cause stress on the subject and introduce gait artifacts. Rodents can exhibit erratic and unpredictable movements, including varying their speed as they frantically search for an escape route. These fluctuations in gait can lead to significant variations in data, making it challenging to obtain consistent results. Allowing the rodent to freely walk in a low-light environment of the enclosed walkway greatly reduces stress on the animal and establishes a baseline for normal locomotion with minimal external influences. Only the Noldus Catwalk XT system can provide the most accurate information, as other gait analysis systems do not provide the same level of independence and would greatly limit the ability to uncover subtle variations in rodent gait patterns and hinder progress towards project objectives.

As the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the CatWalk XT system, only Noldus can provide a gait analysis system with their proprietary Illuminated Footprints technology which is critical for the SPT’s research. Failure to procure the CatWalk XT system will detrimentally impact this critical research due to less accurate data resulting in project setbacks and limitations associated with having to divert significant time and resources to adjusting protocols to accommodate the shortcomings of an alternate system. Implementing another solution will incur costs for the Government estimated at $[REDACTED]. These costs are not expected to be recuperated through competition. Therefore, acquiring the Noldus CatWalk XT is essential to expanding our preclinical research capabilities, and the most advantageous solution for the Government.

Market Research was conducted by [REDACTED], a Biomedical Researcher in FCDD-RLA-HC with six (6) years of experience in this field, between 04 February 2024 and 04 March 2024. Market Research Techniques included searching Government required sources, the GSA federal supply schedule, and vendor internet websites. Additional efforts include reviewing company catalogs and contacting knowledgeable people or subject matter experts within Government and industry. As a result of this market research, it was determined that Noldus Information Technology Inc. is the only company capable of meeting the Government’s requirement. Noldus Information Technology Inc. is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), and no authorized resellers exits.

6. FAIR AND REASONABLE PRICE DETERMINATION:

It has been determined that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable and that approval of this recommendation is in the best interest of the government. This justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

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