The Government hereby submits a notice of intent to make a FFP sole source award to purchase to AEROSOL DEVICES INC for one BioSpot-VIVA bioaerosol sampler to be delivered to USDA APHIS WS National Wildlife Research Center. See sole source brand name justification below as required by FAR 13.103-1(b). Sole source award will be made after posting close date and an award notice will follow for FAR posting requirements. This posting serves as notice only. Not quotes will be accepted for this posting. If there are any questions or concerns regarding this notice of intent to sole source please contact Kim Yen Tu via email only at
[email protected]. United States Department of Agriculture Limited Source/Brand Name Justification FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) – Simplified Acquisitions (under the SAT) 1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity. Requesting Agency: USDA APHIS WS National Wildlife Research Center 4101 LaPorte Ave Fort Collins CO 80521 Contracting Activity: USDA APHIS AAMD Contracting 250 Marquette Ave Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401 2. Description of supply or service required to meet the agency’s needs. Model BSS310 BioSpot-VIVAS™ bioaerosol sampler 3. The rationale or circumstances for limiting competition. There are no alternative commercial instruments using this proprietary combined technique of sampling and gentle impaction. Numerous published papers from independent researchers support the unique effectiveness of the Aerosol Devices series of samplers and particle counters, including the ability to collect fine particles, concentration of sample and maintaining viability of microorganisms. The BioSpot-VIVAS sampler uses patented condensation growth tube technology. Patents: US Patents 6,712,881; 7,736,421; 8,801,838; 9,658,139; 9,610,531; 9,821,263; 4. A description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted. There are several competing needs that must be considered when choosing a sampler: first, the concentrations of biological particles in the air are very low, so that sufficient volume of air is needed to collect detectable quantities. However, if bioaerosols are subjected to extreme forces, such as occur during filter sampling at high flow rates, cell structures can be destroyed and tests for viability – an important focus of our work – will yield inaccurate results. The BioSpot-VIVAS bioaerosol sampler employs unique technology to capture airborne particles into liquid, using very gentle growth of water into individual particles and collecting into relatively small amounts of liquid that can be used for subsequent analyses without additional concentration steps that can lead to contamination. The instrument does not require manual replenishing of the liquid while it is sampling. The flow rate of 8 L/min is sufficient to allow sampling at relatively high time resolution (24h or less) while not so large as to stress the collected particles; this instrument was designed specifically to retain viability of samples. In addition, the flow rate allows sampling from controlled, contained lab chamber experiments without quickly depleting all of the available air inside the chamber. It can also be used outdoors.We have identified two competing products but maintenance, user time, cost, significant extra supplies and parts are needed and thus were not further considered for our needs: Bertin Corp. - Coriolis Compact Version compared with BioSpot-VIVAS: • Lower flow rate (50 lpm) than the Coriolis Micro (100-300 LPM), but still much larger than BioSpot-VIVAS, making it impractical for sampling from a lab chamber; more suitable for field sampling. • Collects into a relatively large volume of liquid that must then be concentrated before isolating particulate matter, adding additional steps and potential for contamination or sample loss. • No option for auto-feed of liquid, thus requiring operator intervention. Sartorius Corp, AirScan Sampler, Compared with BioSpot-VIVAS: • Maximum flow rate 7 m3 / hr (approx. 100 lpm) much larger than BioSpot-VIVAS; minimum flow rate unlcear, but should be able to sample at rates similar to BioSpot-VIVAS • Sampling media are gelatin filters which must then be dissolved in liquid; introduces an additional processing step that increase user time, sampling cost, and potential for contamination or sample loss. • Custom, gelatine filters may not be compatible for all downstream analyses anticipated and add additional costs per sample. • Additional parts needed: Separate pump required. 5. Estimated price, including all options, if applicable. $42,000 - $45,000