679 Urinalysis CPR

The Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center has awarded a sole-source contract to Sysmex America, Inc. for the lease of two automated urinalysis analyzers—a primary unit and a backup—under a Cost-Per-Test/Cost-Per-Reportable-Result pricing model. This arrangement is mandated by the proprietary nature of Sysmex reagents and systems, which are incompatible with third-party alternatives due to unique calibration, quality control, and clinical validation requirements. The contract, identified as V797D-40235 and solicited under 36C24726N0244, ensures uninterrupted clinical operations by guaranteeing the use of only Sysmex-branded reagents; any deviation risks system failure, invalid test results, warranty voidance, and patient safety concerns. Performance is scheduled to begin June 19, 2026, at the Tuscaloosa facility, with a base period extending through June 18, 2027, and four one-year option periods that collectively extend the contract through June 18, 2031. The award was justified under GSAM/R 538.7104-3(b) and FAR 8.4, citing lack of competition due to exclusive manufacturer control over reagent formulations and system integrity. The contract value is approximately $373,954.55 for the base year, with no pricing details provided for option periods. The system must be installed with a “wagon feature” to allow mobility, and the VA will remove an existing counter at no cost to the contractor to accommodate the equipment. No formal FAR clauses, inspection criteria, packaging specifications, or invoicing methods were detailed in available records, though compliance with VA policy and clinical safety standards is implicit. The contracting officer, Chad Dinkins, oversees the contract from the VISN 7 Network Contracting Office in Duluth, Georgia, while the delivery and performance occur exclusively at the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center. Market research confirmed the absence of qualified small business or economically disadvantaged vendors capable of supplying compatible systems, reinforcing the necessity of the sole-source determination.