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Milli-Q E7000 System

Waiver type - Procurement: Nonavailability

Agency: CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (7523) • Product Service Code (PSC) : 6640 | Last Modified: 06/18/2024

Procurement Summary

A Milli-Q E7000 system offers a unique combination of optimized water purification and monitoring technologies. This Milli-Q E7000 system is requested to replace an inoperable reverse osmosis water purification system in the Toxicology and Molecular Biology Branch (TMBB) within the Health Effects Laboratory Division (HELD), located in Morgantown, West Virginia. The system needs to produce Ultra-Pure quality water that is suitable for molecular biology-based research experiments. The requested system has been verified by other groups within the Division to produce water compatible for these assays. The specific items being procured are Millipore EQ 7000 water purification systems and consumables. The purchase of this Milli-Q E7000 system is needed for multiple applications in the Molecular Neurotoxicology Laboratory that require Ultra-Pure Reverse Osmosis (RO) water. Specifically, the Molecular Neurotoxicology Laboratory uses highly sensitive biological assays that can be sensitive to elemental contaminants and the presence of these contaminants in the purified water used to prepare reagents has a cascade effect on the measured accuracy and precision for these analytical measurements. The Milli-Q E7000 system has the lowest elemental concentrations of elements measured in Molecular Neurotoxicology Laboratory (e.g., Pb, Hg, As, Ni) and elements that interfere with analytical measurement of those same elements (e.g., Ca, Al, K). Due to these factors and consistency with other systems in HELD, Milli-Q E7000 is the preferred system. The system needs to produce Ultra-Pure quality water that is sufficient for molecular biology experiments, be compatible with reverse osmosis water as a source, does not introduce unnecessary IT security issues, and is reasonable to maintain high functionality. The system must be capable of producing Ultra-Pure (Type I) water from reverse osmosis source water that is at a purity/quality level suitable for molecular biology laboratory experiments and assays. The Milli-Q E7000 requested is the only system that provides Ultra-Pure, molecular biology assay suitable water from a reverse osmosis source, requires replacement of only 2 components for required maintenance, and has confirmed functionality from peer-research teams.

Waiver Rationale Summary

A domestically manufactured item meeting the Government’s need is not mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities and of a satisfactory quality. The equipment is only manufactured in France. Similar equipment manufactured in the United States exists, but they do not meet the concentrations for water purification required by CDC to successfully analyze biological samples/assays in the Molecular Neurotoxicology Laboratory. Based on the findings detailed above, Millipore water purification systems and consumables are not mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities and of a satisfactory quality. Therefore, it is hereby determined, consistent with FAR 25.103(b), that these items are non-available.

Did / Will the solicitation include one of the standard BAA provisions announcing the agency’s intention to provide a price preference for domestic end products and construction material?

No

Was a sources sought or Request for Information issued?

No

OMB Determination

Consistent with Policy

Product

LABORATORY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

NAICS

423490 - Other Professional Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers

Date Submitted

06/05/2024

Procurement Instrument Identifier (PIID)

Solicitation ID

N/A

Procurement Stage

Pre-solicitation

Expected Maximum Duration of the Proposed Waiver

0 - 6 months

Waiver Coverage

Individual Waiver

Funding Agency

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION