Perten Falling Number Analysis Equipment

USDA APHIS on behalf of GIPSA intends to make a sole source award to Perten Instruments for a Falling Number 1700 and Laboratory Mill 3100. Please see below justification for additional information. 1. Contracting Agency: Justification for other than full and open competition USDA APHIS MRP-BS ASD 100 North 6th Street 5th Floor, Minneapolis MN 55403 2. Description of Action: Purchase of Falling Number 1700 Analysis equipment and Laboratory Mill 3100 3.Description of Supplies/Services: Falling Number 1700 is the World Standard Method for measuring sprout damage objectively, is reported on all major crop survey's and is a required export/import criteria. Equipment purchased for official use must be in accordance to the Approved Equipment list published in Equipment Handbook, and applicable Program Notice and Directives FGIS-PN-07-05. Price approximately $26,000 including freight 4.Authority Cited: 41 U.S.C 253 (c) (1), and FAR 6.302.1, 5. Reason for Authority Cited: GIPSA's standardization of equipment used within the official grain inspection system requires the specific make/model of equipment (see also FGIS Program Directive 9180.38 which limits this equipment to Perten Instruments). "EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES" FN apparatuses are manually, semi automatically or automatically operated, depending on the model used. Some models perform one determination at a time; others perform two tests simultaneously. The FN apparatus can be obtained from: a) Perten Instruments 1/ North America, 6444 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL 62712 or b) Perten Instruments AB, P.O. Box 9006, SE-126 09 H'gersten, Sweden." 6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: GIPSA continuously surveys and tests the industry equipment for addition to their approved products list 7. Price Reasonableness: The price is fair and reasonable based on comparison to other pieces of scientific measuring equipment 8. Market Survey: Continuous by GIPSA. 9. Any Other Facts: GIPSA is aware of no other manufactured equipment of this specific type/use. No other manufacturers have approached GIPSA to review their equipment/obtain approval. 10. Other Sources Expressing an Interest: None 11. Actions the Agency may take to remove Barriers: GIPSA management would have to change the approved equipment list after thorough evaluation of other products if they exist. 12. Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance that is included in the Justification and Approval is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. ///GIPSA technical Representative/// 14. Procuring Officer Certification: I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance included in the Justification and Approval is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. ///Nathan Johnson/// Contracting Officer