65--NOTICE OF INTENT TO NEGOTIATE A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT WITH STERIS CORP

The Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center plans to enter into a sole source contract negotiation with Steris Corporation for sterilization maintenance services, which includes providing all necessary labor, materials, supplies, and equipment. This action is being pursued under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, which permits negotiation with a single source when only one responsible provider can fulfill the agency's requirements. The Government is not seeking competitive quotes but will consider any responses submitted by October 28, 2005, to help determine whether a competitive procurement should be conducted. The decision to proceed with a sole source contract or to open the process for competition rests exclusively with the Contracting Officer. Interested parties are invited to submit information solely for the purpose of assessing the necessity of competition, not for bidding. Submissions should be directed to the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Attention Scottie Paramoure, with contact details provided for mail, phone, and fax. This notice aligns with the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting priorities and is intended to ensure continuous and effective sterilization maintenance services at the medical center. The contract falls under the jurisdiction of the 250-NETWORK Contract Office 10, based in Dayton, Ohio.