A.02 Limiting-Competition-_Redacted.pdf

This document is a Memorandum for Record - Limiting Competition for a sole source contract with Avient Corporation. The contract is for color concentrates and compounds used in extrusion of polymeric materials into fiber form, specifically for the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center (DEVCOM). The requirement is a follow-on acquisition with fixed-price pricing, funded through RDTE (Research, Development, Test and Evaluation) funds for fiscal year 2025.

The document justifies sole source procurement by citing unique proprietary compound formulations developed by DEVCOM and Clariant during iterative trials in 1980, which meet specific OGA (Other Government Agency) customer requirements. Limited market research conducted annually since 2021 concluded that alternative materials from other companies do not meet the customer's needs. The contract will be awarded to Avient Corporation, located at 85 Industrial Drive in Holden, Massachusetts, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) for purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, with the understanding that the formulations cannot be disclosed to other potential sources due to their sensitive and proprietary nature.