66--WI-WHITNEY GENETICS LAB-TAPE STATION

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under the Department of the Interior, has awarded a sole-source contract under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold to procure an Agilent TapeStation for the Whitney Genetics Laboratory in the Great Lakes basin. This acquisition, identified by solicitation number DOIFFBO260069 and NAICS code 334516, was justified on operational necessity due to the absolute requirement for equipment compatibility with existing systems in USFWS Regions 3 and 5. Substitution of the Agilent TapeStation is prohibited because any deviation would necessitate extensive revalidation of established molecular protocols used for detecting aquatic invasive species, which would disrupt critical monitoring efforts aligned with FAC Strategic Goal #3. The procurement was conducted without competition under FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) and (ii), based on technical equivalence limitations and the absence of viable alternatives capable of maintaining seamless data integrity across laboratories. The contract’s performance location is tied to the Whitney Genetics Laboratory, though its exact physical address is not provided, while the contracting office is situated in Falls Church, Virginia. No formal pricing, delivery schedule, FOB terms, or payment instructions are specified, consistent with simplified acquisition procedures below the SAT. The equipment must be delivered and integrated without modification to ensure uninterrupted sample quality control and data comparability. Inspection and acceptance are the responsibility of the government, with criteria rooted in internal laboratory protocols rather than external standards. The sole source justification is supported by market research confirming no other vendor can meet the technical requirements without unacceptable delays. No standard FAR clauses, packaging requirements, labeling specifications, or special contract clauses such as security clearances, key personnel stipulations, or options are included. The contracting officer is John Skogen, with Patrick DeHaan serving in a program oversight role; however, no official COR/COTR designations or contact details beyond email and phone are provided. The award notice was posted on May 13, 2026, following internal certifications dated April 2026.