Single Source Justification to award modification to PhycoTech, Inc.

The purpose of this announcement is to synopsize the determination to solicit from a single source. DETERMINATION TO SOLICIT FROM A SINGLE SOURCE (FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)) Introduction: Pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(1), for purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), $150,000, Contracting Officers may solicit from only one source if the Contracting Officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization). Actions over $25,000 must be synopsized in accordance with FAR 5.2. 1. Name and Address of Single Source: Dr. Ann St. Amand PhycoTech, Inc. 620 Broad St., Suite 100 St. Joseph, MI 49085 (269) 983-3654 2. Estimated Cost (Cost MUST be below SAT) $xx,xxx. The estimated cost is $xxx/sample. Sampling is currently conducted on a monthly basis for up to 23 sampling sites. 3. Description of the Supplies or Services Required: Phytoplankton analysis on field collected phytoplankton samples from Lake Mead, AZ-NV. Phytoplankton need to be identified to genus and species. Results need to be reported both as cell counts (cells/mL) and biovolume ( m3/mL). Raw data are to be provided in Excel format. 4. Description of Circumstances that Make Other Sources Impractical: PhycoTech has been performing phytoplankton analyses for Reclamation's Lake Mead limnology project since the project was initiated in 1990 through 2006. Another contractor was used in 2007 and 2008, but the results were not consistent with previous work. Taxonomic identification of algal species is a difficult job. In order to maintain consistency with the established database, it is essential that the current contractor continue with these analyses. The contractor also works with the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) on this project. SNWA is providing supplemental funding to Reclamation for this project and is also using PhycoTech for algal identifications. It is essential that the same contractor continue with this project to maintain continuity. Because of this contractor's familiarity with Lake Mead, she will be able to do taxonomic identification on this system with great efficiency and reliability. Another contractor would not be able to identify the same species with identical taxonomic names, therefore creating an inconsistent database that would potentially jeopardize the integrity of the project. Errors or inconsistencies in taxonomic identification are often caused by changing contractors in an ongoing project or even when a different project on the same watershed is conducted. The problem is that not all contractors use similar taxonomic names since taxonomy is a changing science. In addition, methodology used may result in differences in densities and biovolume. Therefore, it is important to remain with the same contractor for phytoplankton identification throughout a project or even with other projects in the same watershed. Remaining with the same contractor for taxonomic work results in data that can be easily used when comparing results from one body of water to another. 5. Description of Market Research Supporting Determination: No other vendor would be able to give exact taxonomic identifications, densities, and biovolumes as PhycoTech.