The Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 17, in accordance with FAR 6.302-1 (only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements), intends to solicit and negotiate on a sole source basis with Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, 115 Norwood Park South, Norwood, MA 02062-4633, to provide Siemens AutoBlot 3000H HCV genotyping instrument, Techne Thermocycler, Siemens Versant HCV Amplification kits (LiPA) RUO, Siemens Versant HCV Genotype Assays (LiPA) RUO, Siemens AutoBlot 3000H 21-Strip Trays and Siemens LiPA-Scan Reading Templates, for the period April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011 with Four (4) One (1) Year Option Periods. The Government believes that only one (1) responsible source can provide the supplies/services that will satisfy all of the agency requirements. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. It is not a solicitation or request for offers. No solicitation package is available. A determination not to compete is solely within the discretion of the Government. Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government. Responses must be received no later than 4:00 PM, Friday, March 12, 2010. Responses must be submitted by email to:
contact@example.gov. No telephone inquiries will be accepted. NAICS 423450 applies. Please see the Justification Below: FAR 6.302-1 SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION FORMAT (Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition) (a) Each justification shall contain sufficient facts and rationale to justify the use of the specific authority cited. As a minimum, each justification shall include the following information. (1) Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a Justification for other than full and open competition. VANTHCS VISN 17, 4500 S. Lancaster Road, Dallas, TX 75216, for Justification For Other Than Full And Open Competition. (2) Nature and/or description of the action being approved. This Justification and Approval is requested to procure a 5-Year contract for reagent instruments and reagents with Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. This agreement will upgrade the existing Siemens AutoBlot HCV genotype testing instrument that is already on-site and in use in the Molecular Diagnostic laboratory. Procurement will be issued on a sole source basis for an estimated annual cost of $261,043.00, or $1,305,215.00 over a 5 year period. (3) A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agencys needs (including the estimated value). This request is for a 5-Year reagent contract with Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics to upgrade the existing Siemens AutoBlot HCV genotype testing instrument that is in use in the Molecular Diagnostics laboratory. The VANTHCS Molecular Diagnostics Lab currently uses a Siemens AutoBlot to perform HVC (Hepatitus C Virus) genotype testing for veteran patients, in addition to performing this testing for federal prisoners across the country, as part of our federal sharing agreement contract with the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). This contract is up for renewal currently and VANTHCS must have the testing methodology in place in order to comply with the requirements of the contract. In addition, Siemens no longer manufactures the reagents that are used on the current Autoblot instrument; if the VANTHCS does not upgrade the instrument and obtain the Thermocycler, (an instrument that is necessary to the operation of the Siemens AutoBlot 3000H), VANTHCS will no longer be able to perform HCV testing for our veteran patients or our BOP patients. There is no other manufacturer of this particular type of HCV genotyping testing. The only other method to genotype HCV is by sequencing; however, this process is much more expensive and time consuming and VANTHCS would not be able to accommodate even our own veteran patient volume for HCV genotype testing using the gene sequencing method. (4) An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition. The authority cited shall be 6.302-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirement). (5) A demonstration that the proposed contractors unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited There is no other manufacturer of this particular type of HCV genotyping testing. The only other method to genotype HCV is by sequencing; however, this process is much more expensive and time consuming and VANTHCS would not be able to accommodate even our own veteran patient volume for HCV genotype testing using the gene sequencing method. (6) A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as may potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR Subpart 5.2 (Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions) and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies. This will be advertised on FEDBIZOPS per FAR 5.2. (7) A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable. It is the Contracting Officers determination that the anticipated cost, based on commercial pricing, is fair and reasonable to the Government. (8) A description of the market research conducted (see FAR Part 10) and the results or statement of the reason market research was not conducted. No other market research was conducted because no other sources have been identified; the only 2 other manufacturers, Abbott Molecular and Third Wave (now Hologics), have removed their HCV genotyping test methods from the market. (9) Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition, such as: n/a (10) A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition. No sources have expressed interest in the acquisition. Abbott Molecular and Third Wave (now Hologics) have removed their HCV genotyping test methods from the market. (11) A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required. n/a (12) Contracting officer certification that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of the contracting officers knowledge and belief. Contracting Officer Certification: I hereby certify that the justification provided is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. ______________________________ __________________ Contracting Officer Signature Date Technical/Requirements Certification: I hereby certify that any supporting data that is the responsibility of the Technical/Requirements personnel and which forms the basis for this justification is accurate and complete. ________________________________________ ________________________ Technical/Requirements Personnel Signature Date Approval Authority: ________________________________________ ________________________ Approving Official Date
