WBR_1413_106-1_epMotion_-_Brand_Name_Justification.pdf

Solicitation or Award Number: 140R8125Q0130

WBR 1413.106-1 Template 1 eFile - B02

(11/2020)

DETERMINATION TO SOLICIT FROM A SINGLE SOURCE

Pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), for purchases not exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) Contracting Officers may solicit from only one source if the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source is reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization).

Pursuant to FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(ii), when a single source is identified to provide a portion of the purchase as a Brand-Name, the documentation in paragraph 3 must state that this determination is only for a portion of the requirement.

1. Agency and Contracting Activity. U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, LeNS number 32935

2. Name and Address of Brand Name.

Eppendorf North America 175 Freshwater Blvd Enfield, CT 06082

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

The scope of this work is to acquire an Eppendorf epMotion 5073l liquid handling system to enable automated setup of qPCR reactions, including dispensing tools, tube racks, and a CleanCap. Installation will include onsite training and qPCR method optimization. The proposed system shall:

A fully enclosed system for automated liquid transfer between sample tubes and 96-well skirted PCR reaction plates.

Free-jet pipetting to dispense liquids without contacting the reaction tube or liquid, reducing cross-contamination.

Optical confocal infrared detection of liquid levels in vessels.

Automatically exchanged autoclavable dispensing tools, including a single channel tool for volumes of 1-50 microliters, a single channel tool for volumes of 20-300 microliters, and an eight-channel tool for volumes of 1-50 microliters.

A Reservoir Rack Module PCR for PCR tubes and 1.5 or 2.0 milliliter tubes, and a rack for 24 Safe-Lock tubes.

CleanCap for UV decontamination and air purification in the liquid handling system.

Chemical resistance of the liquid handling system, dispensing tools, and accessories, to allow for decontamination, including with dilute (3%) hypochlorite solutions.

PC computer with display, keyboard and mouse to connect directly to the automated liquid handling system.

Software to control the automated liquid handling unit, including: drag-and-drop programming of protocols; 3D visualization of the workstation; control of liquid handling parameters, tip handling options, and dispensing modes; user management;

creation, storage, and editing of methods.

Transport, delivery, and installation of the automated liquid handling system, accessories, and PC.

Onsite user training and onsite support to program qPCR application methods.

Be plug and play and usable out of the box, with no additional modifications needed to achieve the required functionality and capabilities.

Be provided with up-to-date equipment calibration documentation and shall be manufactured with all new parts.

4. Description of Circumstances, including why only this is reasonably available.

IAW FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(ii), specific characteristics of the Eppendorf epMotion 5073l that limit the availability to a sole source are that the liquid handling system will need to dispense liquids in volumes ranging from 200 nanoliters to 1000 microliters and can automatically exchange dispensing tools without manual intervention. The system needs to support free-jet dispensing of liquids to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Non-contact liquid level detection with optical confocal infrared detection to ensure accurate liquid dispensing and further reduces the risk of cross-contamination. The system will be fitted with a CleanCap, which includes an air filter to prevent introduction of contaminants to the system and a UV lamp to decontaminate the system. A system that is chemically resistant to cleaning agents, allowing manual decontamination as required. Only this suggested source can furnish the requirements, to the exclusion of other sources, because it is the only liquid handling system available that includes the listed features, which are required to ensure precision and minimization of contamination in automated setup of highly sensitive small volume polymerase chain reaction experiments.

5. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Price.

The Contracting Officer will perform necessary price analysis techniques such as a comparison of the proposed price with prices found fair and reasonable on previous purchases (FAR 13 .106-3 (a)(2)(ii)), market analysis for similar items in the industry (FAR 13.106-3(a)(2)(i)), and other determinations listed in FAR 13.106-3(2) if the information is available to determine if the quoted price is fair and reasonable.

6. Description of Market Research.

An internet search for all possible vendors was conducted and only a single product was identified that included the requirements.

SIGNATURES

PREPARED BY:

Name: Yale Passamaneck

Date: 4/9/2025

CONTRACTING OFFICER (CO) (FAR 13.106-1(b)):(All Values)

Name:

Date:

X

X