6515--GI Electrosurgery

The Department of Veterans Affairs, through Network Contracting Office 22 in Gilbert, Arizona, has awarded a sole-source contract for the acquisition of a Waters Xevo TQ-S micro mass spectrometer and associated components to ensure operational continuity in its federal drug testing program under the National Laboratory Certification Program. This procurement, valued at $368,211.94, is justified under FAR 8.405-6 due to the proprietary nature of the equipment, requiring exact form, fit, and function compatibility with existing systems to maintain NLCP certification without interruption. The contract includes the mass spectrometer, Scroll Pump, Imaging Spray Source, H-SRM upgrades, MassPREP Protein Digestion Kits, installation, training, and disposal services, with a $15,000 trade-in discount applied to the legacy unit. Performance will occur at VA medical centers including Minneapolis and Fort Meade, with delivery required on or before July 7, 2026. The award is not Lowest Price Technically Acceptable but is based on best value, emphasizing technical compatibility and mission-critical needs over price alone. The contract leverages the existing GSA Schedule GS-07F-0559X and is assigned the NAICS code 339112. The contracting office has not specified payment details, accounting codes, invoicing method, or formal inspection or packaging standards, and while contracting officers are identified, no Contracting Officer’s Representative or Technical Representative roles are named. Market research confirms no viable non-proprietary alternatives exist, and the procurement is documented as a logical follow-on to prior orders. The awardee, Waters Technologies Corporation, holds a unique entity ID (JFT8BGF7FKV6), and the acquisition represents a non-competitive award requiring formal justification under FAR provisions despite the presence of eligible service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses in the market.