Sole Source Justification for a Service Maintenance Agreement on LOC-owned Wyatt Detector Equipment

Justification and Approval for Other-than-Full-and-Open Competition

This document justifies and approves a contract action for the Library of Congress that will be awarded without full and open competition. The action is for a one-year comprehensive service agreement, with four subsequent option years, for existing Wyatt-brand detectors used by the Preservation Research and Testing Division (PRTD).

• Comprehensive service agreement for Wyatt-brand detectors (DAWN, ViscoStar III, and Optilab).

• Includes repair and replacement of parts and components.

• One on-site preventative maintenance inspection per year.

• Priority support via phone and email.

• Contractor: Waters Corporation

• Period of Performance: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2026 (with four option years through June 30, 2031).

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but the justification covers actions over and under $350,000.

This document is a justification for sole-source procurement, not a solicitation for proposals. The basis for limiting competition is that Waters Corporation is the only known source capable of providing the required service due to proprietary technology, lack of third-party training/certification, and no comparable offerings from other vendors.

This is a sole-source justification, not an opportunity open to competitive bidding or set-aside.

• The instrumentation is in near constant usage for critical research and testing.
• Without this service agreement, the Library's ability to analyze and preserve collection material samples would be significantly undermined.
• Using a third-party pass-through business would be more expensive and less efficient.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To provide a 12-month Preventative Maintenance Service Contract, with four subsequent option years, for Waters Corporation's Wyatt-brand DAWN, ViscoStar, and Optilab detectors used for analyzing organic compounds by size and molecular weight. The goal is to ensure nearly 100% uptime for these critical research instruments.

• Comprehensive on-site service agreement for the Wyatt-brand detector suite.

• Includes all necessary repairs (parts excluded for consumables), an annual on-site preventative maintenance service, software upgrades, phone and technical support, and all travel costs.

• All parts installed during the contract period will be guaranteed for one year.

• Priority on-site instrument repairs within 5 business days of notification.

• All repairs to be completed within 21 calendar days of the Government reporting the need.

• Annual on-site preventative maintenance inspection and service.

• Unlimited and priority technical support via phone and email.

• Unlimited software support for ASTRA software, including updates and troubleshooting.

• Initial 12-month contract period, with four subsequent option years.

• Services to be performed on-site at the Library of Congress.

• Use of Waters-certified parts and trained/certified technicians.

• Provision of matching "loaner" instruments if original units require factory repair.

• Adherence to normal laboratory safety procedures.

• Compliance with Library and U.S. Capitol Police physical security protocols.