WBR_1413_106-1_Sole_Source_1.pdf

Solicitation Number: 140R8125Q0194 Page 1 of 4

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.

Bureau of Reclamation, Hydraulic Investigations and Lab Services, Ecological Research Laboratory seeks to work with and international expert in an attempt to find a specific biocontrol agent for the control of dreissenid mussels. There are few other researchers in the world, and no other researchers in the United States that have the particular expertise and 30-year experience in biological control that Dr. Dan Molloy can provide to a research project.

Other comparable researchers in the United States focus on plant pathology, while Dr. Molloy is the only dreissenid mussel pathologist with expertise required for these tasks.

2. Name and Address of Single Source.

Dr. Daniel P. Molloy, PhD, Principal Aquatic Invasive Species Specialist Molloy & Associates, LLC 805 South Urbana Avenue Urbana, IL 61801

Website: www.danielpmolloy.com Email: dan@danielpmolloy.com Cell: 518-435-5126

3. Description of Supplies/Services and Estimated Cost.

Dreissenid mussel infestations pose a threat to Reclamation facilities, increasing the demand for increased O&M, and potential forced outages. Additionally, these mussels negatively impact ecosystems by altering food webs which impacts all native species ranging from zooplankton to fish. Currently, there are no open water treatments for the control of dreissenid mussels. The discovery and development of a specific biocontrol agent for the control of these mussels with be of tremendous benefit to Reclamation.

Dan Molloy, PhD is an internationally recognized expert in the biology, ecology, and control of dreissenid mussels and has over 30 years of experience working with these mussels in North America and Europe. In particular, his research has centered on parasites/pathogens and the prospects for their use as biocontrol agents. He has developed two bacterial controls https://www.danielpmolloy.com/ http://www.danielpmolloy.com/

Solicitation Number: 140R8125Q0194 Page 2 of 4 that are labeled and on the market; one for use in closed water systems to control mussels, and one for black fly control. He developed two patents and has worked in this field for over 40 years. In addition to his current involvement with university-based research activities at the State University of New York and University of Illinois, he also directs Molloy & Associates – a consulting firm specializing in the prevention, detection, containment, and control of dreissenids and other aquatic invasive species.

This research project will benefit from the expertise and abilities of Dr. Molloy and associates. He has worked on similar projects in the past and has the laboratory skills needed to complete the current project.

Providing Dr. Molloy with $409,140 in 2025, $417,046 in 2026, and $425,188 in 2027 for a total of $1,251,374 for performing a variety of services (obtaining samples, laboratory analysis, and synthesis of the results) is a reasonable use of funds. He is the only researcher in the United States that is able to perform this research and has demonstrated success in finding long term biological controls of benefit.

This project is designed to examine and evaluate specific biocontrol possibilities with Dr.

Dan Molloy (Molloy and Associates, LLC). The project will require the use of the Ecological Research Laboratories (Eco Lab) molecular capabilities for verification of the genetics of dreissenid mussel species and parasites involved. The scope of this project is to refine a list of potential biocontrol candidates. Molloy and Associates will provide their expertise and experience to perform several services. His company will evaluate and examine pathogens/parasites that affect dreissenid mussels.

Reclamation initiated a project with Molloy & Associates (Molloy) to search for a biocontrol agent to QM/ZM in ‘cousin’ dreissenid species in Eurasia in 2017. From 2017-2018, Molloy established the Field Research Station in Montenegro dedicated solely to this project where long-term transinfection studies between QM/ZM and their ‘cousins’ could be conducted.

From 2019-2021, Molloy 1) expanded the testing capacity by adding more aquarium tanks for transinfection experiments (from the original 14 tanks in 2019 to 72 tanks at present), 2) increased research capabilities by purchasing additional equipment and supplies, 3) continued to train three full time on-site staff biologists in all aspects of running experiments in the lab and field, and 4) expanded the network of collaborators throughout Eurasia that have assisted finding collection sites, obtaining necessary permits, and being available to assist in sampling trips. Now in the last three years (2022-2025), Molloy has: 1) continued to conduct transinfection trials with ‘cousin’ dreissenid mussels, 2) collected ‘cousin’ dreissenid mussels from Greece, Turkey, and other Eurasian countries, 3) continued to expand the laboratory in Montenegro and train additional staff, and 4) continued to search for potential biocontrol agents. By doing this Dr. Molloy and Eco Lab will be able to refine a list of potential biocontrol candidates. The Eco Lab will provide verification of the different species of dreissenid mussels and parasites involved.

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

Solicitation Number: 140R8125Q0194 Page 3 of 4

IAW FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(ii), specific characteristics of the performing long term transinfection trials to identify potential biological control agents to invasive quagga and zebra mussel that limit the availability to a sole source are creation of a laboratory in Montenegro where all experiments are conducted, establishment of a network of researchers from Eurasia that assist in the identification of ‘cousin’ dreissenid populations that can be used in experiments, and the knowledge/expertise to develop a biocontrol agent. Only this suggested source can furnish the requirements, to the exclusion of other sources, because Dr.

Molloy has over 25 years of experience working with invasive mussels in North America.

Over the last seven years. Molloy & Associates have developed both a laboratory and methods to conduct long term transinfection trials. This company specializes in the prevention, detection, containment, and control of invasive dreissenids and other aquatic invasive species.

5. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Price.

Providing Dr. Molloy with $409,140 in 2025, $417,046 in 2026, and $425,188 in 2027 for a total of $1,251,374 for performing a variety of services (obtaining samples from across Eurasia, laboratory analysis, and synthesis of the results) is a reasonable use of funds. He is the only researcher in the United States that is able to perform this research and has demonstrated success in finding long term biological controls of benefit. A breakdown of labor and supply costs show that his billable rate and supplies are in line with industry standards for advanced consulting in research biology.

6. Description of Market Research.

An internet search showed that Dr. Dan Molloy is the leading expert in this field. There is no one else in the world performing long term transinfection experiments with dreissenid mussels. Dr. Molloy has been able to create biocontrol methods for several organisms of concern. His expertise in creating non-toxic control methods, that use pathogens/parasites to control an invasive species, is groundbreaking.

SIGNATURES

PREPARED BY:

Name: ConnieAnn A. Tudela-Kately

Date:

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

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Solicitation Number: 140R8125Q0194 Page 4 of 4

Name: Robert L. Shedrick

Date:

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