This notice is a combined synopsis/solicitation, Notice of Intent. The Midwest Area, NCAUR for the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture intends to issue an award to Applied Biosystems (ABI), 850 Lincoln Centre Drive, Foster City, CA 94404. This is a sole source procurement under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. This is a requirement of the USDA-ARS-NCAUR at Peoria, IL for a BigDye Terminator v3.1 cycle sequencing kit; 5,000 reactions (Cat. No. 4337457) is available only through ABI. This is a proprietary product of ABI and is the only item compatible with existing equipment. No telephone inquiries will be accepted. Interested parties should submit written (mail or email) responses including prices and technical data sufficient to determine capability to meet the entire requirement and must be received in this office within 10 calendar days after publication of this notice. It should be noted that no contract will be awarded on the basis of offers received in response to this notice, but will be used to determine if a comparable source more advantageous to the Government is available. If no affirmative written responses are received, negotiations will be held with Applied Biosystems without further notice. This acquisition is being conducted under the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION: Upon the basis of the following justification, I, as Contracting Officer, hereby approve the use of other than full and open competition for the proposed contractual action pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C.2304(c)(1), FAR Subpart 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. JUSTIFICATION 1. Agency and Contracting Activity (FAR 6.303-2(a)(1)). USDA, AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE, Midwest Area, NCAUR, Procurement, 1815 N. University St., Peoria, IL 61604 2. Nature/Description of Action(s) (FAR 6.303-2(a)(2)). a. This contracting action is to obtain a BigDye Terminator Kit for use in an ABI DNA Analyzer. 3. Description of Supplies/Services (FAR 6.303-2(a)(3)). M/N 4337457: BigDiye Terminator v3.1 cycle sequencing kit: 5000 reactions 4. Identification of Statutory Authority (FAR 6.303-2(a)(4)). 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c)(1), FAR Subpart 6.302-1. The services required by the agency are available from only one responsible source and no other type of services will satisfy the Agency requirements. 5. Demonstration of Contractor's Unique Qualifications (FAR 6.303-2(a)(5)). a. Only one responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services will satisfy Agency Requirements (FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)) (1) FAR 6.302-1(a)(2) states, "When the supplies or services required by the agency are available from only one responsible source, or for DOD, NASA, and the Coast Guard, from only one or a limited number of responsible sources, and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, full and open competition need not be provided for." (2) The named vendor is the producer of proprietary consumable solutions available only through this company. The item one hundred percent compatible with our existing equipment and required for proper maintenance and operation of our Applied Biosystems 3730xl DNA Analyzer. Continuity of results is only guaranteed with the use of the ABI consumables. 6. Federal Business Opportunities - FedBizOpps.gov (FBO) Announcement/Potential Sources (FAR 6.303-2(a)(6). a. A Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) synopsis is published in an attempt to identify other possible vendors of the required consumable. b. USDA/ARS does not anticipate other qualified sources; however, should any responses be received, they will be evaluated to determine if they can meet future needs of the Government. 7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost (FAR 6.303-2(a)(7). After a thorough web search, no other suppliers were located that could supply this consumable. 8. Description of Market Research (FAR6.303-2 (a)(8). USDA/ARS is constantly surveying the market and from this experience knows that the consumable is proprietary and only available from the vendor identified. 9. Any Other Supporting Facts (FAR 6.303-2(a)(9)) Due to the proprietary nature of the item needed to perform the research, at this time there is only one source available. 10. Listing of Interested Sources (FAR 6.303-2(a)(10). No other sources are available at this time. 11. Actions Taken to Remove Barriers to Competition (FAR 6.303(a)(11)). Vendor surveys are done from time to time to see if other existing items can meet the research requirements. Scientists have tested other similar products but no similar results can be guaranteed. 12. Technical Requirements and Certifications; (FAR 6.303-1(b) and FAR 6.303-2(b) I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance which are included in this justification and which form a basis for this justification are complete and accurate. CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION: (FAR 6.303-1(A), 6.303-2(A)(12) I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Name: Sofia M. Basso Title: Purchasing Agent
