Description
LIMITED SOURCE JUSTIFICATION FOR FEDERAL SUPPLY SCHEDULE PROGRAM FOR PERKIN ELMER EQUIPMENT Upon the basis of the following justification, I, hereby request the use of sources limited to fewer than those required in FAR 8.405-1, FAR 8.405-2 pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 251 1. Agency: United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Analytical Services and Quality Assurance, ESC, Fort Meade, Md. Contracting Activity: Contracts Branch, Region 3 Requisition No.: PR-R3-13-00363 Contractor: Perkin Elmer 2. Nature and/or description of the action: Title: Perkin Elmer NexION 300D The requirement is for a Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) order and incidental open market items for the purchase of a Perkin Elmer NexION 300D ICP-MS system, complete with prepFast autosampler & dilution module, computer, monitor, printer, bench, training, delivery and installation. 3. Description of the Supplies or Services: The US EPA Region 3 Environmental Science Center, Office of Analytical Services and Quality Assurance, (OASQA), requires a NexION 300D ICP-MS system to analyze trace elemental contaminants in environmental samples in order to support the program offices within EPA. (OW, CERCLA, RCRA, SDWA, CID, etc) This system will replace the current older ICP-MS which is no longer being supported by the manufacturer. Also required: A CHILLER-1HP 230V/60HZ TP QUIET NexION Bench with Vacuum Pump Dolly Monitor Arm for Advanced Bench prepFAST SC-4 DXi PC3 Complete NexION ENCLOSURE-SC4 Gas Cabinet f/2 Cylinders incl. Brackets Other incidental items to the systems Training and Installation Also the manufacturer, Perkin Elmer, is offering to trade in the older ICP-MS. Estimated value: To Be Determined 4. Authority: The authority for this procurement is FAR 8.4, the Multiple Award Schedule program and subsequently 8.405-6(a)(l)(B): "Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized." The rationale for the incidental open market items is FAR 6.303-2 the property or services needed by the executive agency are available from only one responsible source and no other type of property or services will satisfy the needs of the executive agency Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. 41USC 253(c)(1). 5. Describe how the contractor?s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited: OASQA has determined that the NexION 300D ICP-MS is the only ICP-MS which allows for attenuation of the ion beam for each mass independently using the attenuation parameters of the collision and/or reaction cell per mass without loss of intensity for other masses. The NexION is the only ICPMS on the marker that has triple quadrupoles. These features are important when analyzing samples with high native background interferences and low level target elements. The Perkin Elmer ICP-MS is also the only ICP-MS compatible with OASQA?s current Perkin Elmer HPLC system. The NexION uses Perkin Elmer?s Elan software. This is the same software currently used on the current ICP-MS. This will reduce the time period needed to bring the new system on line and reduce the travel and training costs that would be required if another instrument manufacturer were used. The Nexion 3000 does not require periodic maintenance or replacement of the collision/ reaction or universal cell. There is also no maintenance on the main filtering quadrupole by the user or the manufacturer. The software supports auto dilutions by both a global dilution factor and serial dilutions for samples out of range. 6. Describe the efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable: This requirement will be post to E-Buy which contains most of the manufacturers of similar equipment. 7. Actions the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome Any Barriers That led to the Restricted Consideration Before Any Subsequent Acquisition For the Supplies or Services: The EPA will continue to conduct market research for subsequent similar requirements to determine if any additional viable sources become available. 8. Determination by the Ordering Activity Contracting Officer that the Order Represents the Best Value Consistent with FAR 8.404 (d): In accordance with FAR 8.405-2(3)(A), this requirement will be placed on GSA E-Buy under Schedule No. 66. In the event there are no other vendors responding to the RFQ, the Contracting Officer will determine best value by reviewing Perkin Elmer's GSA Schedule or price list A. This item is available on the GSA schedule; the price has already been determined to be fair and reasonable. The vendor is offering a price reduction to trade in the older obsolete ICP-MS. 9. Description of the market research conducted (see FAR Part 10). Discussions with the Laboratory Technical Information Group (LTIG), a workgroup of all 12 EPA regional labs with participation from ORD and NEIC laboratories. Internet search of several ICP-MS manufacturers. 10. Other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition. There are currently no other facts to support this justification. 11. List sources that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition. If no sources expressed an interest in writing, indicate such. None at this time.