65--Coronary Stents

The Department of Veterans Affairs Mid-Atlantic Healthcare Region (VISN 6) Central Acquisition Service plans to enter into a sole source consignment agreement with Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Systems, Inc. to supply Coronary Stents (Cypher) for the Salem VA Medical Center. Under this arrangement, Johnson & Johnson Hospital Services will provide stents in various sizes and quantities to ensure availability for the medical center. The contract will have a twelve-month base period, with the option to extend for an additional year. The procurement is being conducted without competition, although interested firms have a five-day window from the notice publication to submit a written request to the Contracting Officer demonstrating their capability to meet the requirements. The government will consider any such responses solely to decide whether a competitive process should be pursued. This agreement falls under NAICS code 339113, with a small business size standard of 500 employees, and will be awarded without restrictions. No formal solicitation will be issued, and the government reserves full discretion in deciding whether or not to move forward with a competitive procurement based on any responses received. The deadline for submissions is January 16, 2007, by 12:00 pm EST. The main focus is ensuring the Salem VA Medical Center has ready access to these specific coronary stents through a single provider arrangement with Johnson & Johnson.