6550--FY26: Leica Bond III Reagents

The Department of Veterans Affairs, through the Network Contracting Office 8 in Tampa, Florida, has awarded a firm-fixed price Blanket Purchase Agreement for Leica Bond III reagents and consumables to Government Scientific Source, Inc., a small business authorized distributor of Leica Biosystems products. This acquisition, identified by solicitation number 36C24826Q0624 and posted on May 27, 2026, is structured as a sole source award under GSAM/R 538.7104-3(b)(1)(ii) and (iv), justified by the proprietary and non-interchangeable nature of the reagents required for existing VA-owned Leica Bond III instruments at the Orlando VA Healthcare System. The contract has an estimated total value of $3,204,597.51 over a five-year period, encompassing one 12-month base period and four 12-month option periods running from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2031. Delivery and performance are mandated at the Orlando VA facility, with inspection and acceptance occurring upon receipt at the destination, ensuring compatibility and operational readiness for hematopathology and dermatopathology testing. Award was determined through a best value trade-off evaluation, prioritizing unique technical capability and compatibility over price, with GSS being the only vendor capable of supplying reagents that function with the VA’s existing equipment. Socioeconomic considerations affirm GSS's small business status, supporting federal small business goals, while past performance and fair pricing further support the non-competitive selection. The contract lacks explicit packaging, preservation, labeling, or invoicing specifications, and no Contracting Officer’s Representative or Technical Representative is designated; oversight remains with the Contracting Officer, Benjamin M. Amato, who signed the certification on April 23, 2026. Funding is sourced under FY26 PRIFCAP 2237, with payment and accounting details not fully enumerated. The procurement adheres to Federal Supply Schedule and GSAM authorities, with no alternative suppliers available due to manufacturer-specific technical dependencies.