6515--TUG Robots | SEPG 468502 EER 247138

The Department of Veterans Affairs, through Network Contracting Office 21, has awarded a sole-source firm-fixed-price delivery order under Federal Supply Schedule Contract 36F79724D0104 for the acquisition of seven T3 TUG robots and fourteen compatible Lakeside Manufacturing cart bases to automate inpatient meal delivery at the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System in Las Vegas, Nevada. The procurement is justified under FAR 8.405-6 due to the proprietary nature of Aethon TUG technology, which is uniquely compatible with the VA’s existing meal cart infrastructure and cannot be replicated by any other manufacturer without compromising operational integrity. The contract includes a base performance period from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027, with four optional years extending through August 31, 2031, all of which are fully priced to ensure uninterrupted maintenance, technical support, and software licensing. The place of performance is designated at the VA facility in Las Vegas, where delivery, installation, and integration of the robotic system will occur, and inspection and acceptance will also be conducted on-site by the Government. Although the contract does not specify FOB terms, packaging requirements, or detailed inspection criteria beyond form, fit, and function compatibility, it requires continuous operational readiness and full integration with current VA systems. The contracting officer, Mathew Czeshinski, is the sole point of contact for all administrative and technical matters, with no designated contracting officer’s representative identified. No socioeconomic certifications, security clearances, or key personnel requirements are mandated, and the procurement reflects a logical follow-on to an existing FSS order with urgent operational needs. The offeror, ST Engineering Aethon, Inc., is recognized as the exclusive provider of the TUG system, and while the total monetary value of the contract is not disclosed, all options are priced at award. Submission of proposals was required by July 23, 2026, via email, and the acquisition was conducted through GSA eBuy with no formal evaluation factors due to its sole-source nature.