This notice is a combined synopsis/solicitation, Notice of Intent. The Midwest Area for the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture intends to issue an award to New Brunswick Scientific, 44 Talmadge Road, Edison, NJ 08818. 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 National Swine Research and Information Center (NSRIC), Swine Odor and Manure Management Research Unit (SOMMRU) in Ames, IA for four (4) BioFlo 115 Fermentors & Bioreactors. The BioFlo 115 Fermentor & Bioreactors with the BioCommand and Trend Software are proprietary products of New Brunswick Scientific. 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 New Brunswick Scientific. 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, Procurement & Property Section 2. Nature/Description of Action(s) (FAR 6.303-2(a)(2)). a. This contracting action is for four (4) BioFlo 115 Fermentors & Bioreactors with BioCommand Track and Trend Software. 3. Description of Supplies/Services (FAR 6.303-2(a)(3)). Four (4) BioFlo 115 Fermentors & Bioreactors with BioCommand Track and Trend Software. 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 the proprietary BioFlo 115 Fermentor & Bioreactor and BioCommand Track and Trend Software. The Unit currently has four (4) existing BioFlo 110 Fermentors & Bioreactors in use. The Unit is just adding more equipment. The BioFlo 110 has been upgraded and is usually on GSA contract and is in the process of being added to the contract, but the process is not complete. The new vessel assemblies that come with the BioFlo 115 fermentors are identical in design to the BioFlo 110 vessel assemblies already on site. The existing BioFlo 110 vessel assemblies and the new BioFlo 115 vessel assemblies are interchangeable with both the existing fermentor controllers and the new BioFlo 115 fementor controllers. The BioCommand Track and Trend Software is compatible and is able to communicate with both the existing BioFlo 110 controllers and the new BioFlo 115 controllers without the need for costly one-of-a-kind software drivers to be written. The New Brunswick BioFlo 115 fermentor & reactor is the only system available that can offer complete compatibility and interchangeability with the existing equipment. 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 equipment. 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 equipment. The pricing for the BioFlo 115 fermentor & bioreactor is identical to what the BioFlo 110 was. 8. Description of Market Research (FAR6.303-2 (a)(8). USDA/ARS is constantly surveying the market and from this experience knows that the equipment 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 vendors can meet the research requirements. So far none have been able to. 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: Karen L. Reddick Title: Contracting Officer
