Intent to Sole Source

The VA Medical Center in White River Junction, Vermont, plans to negotiate a sole source procurement for an iCycler Thermal Cycler system. This system includes the thermal cycler itself along with an optical module, installation kit, two filter sets, software, instructions, a power module for the optical system, necessary cables, connectors, tools, PCR tubes, and plates. The equipment features a 96-well x 0.2 ml reaction module, an iCycler base compatible with the reaction module, and an in-sample temperature probe. Additionally, the required computer system is specified as a PC with a Pentium 4 1.8 GHz processor, 256kB cache, 20 GB hard drive, 256MB RAM (upgradeable to 3 GB), CD-RW drive, NVIDIA AGP video card with 16MB VRAM, Ethernet and various port connections, running Windows 2000, and includes a NEC Multisync 15-inch LCD monitor. Delivery terms specify FOB origin, and the announcement clarifies that it is not a request for competitive quotations. There is no solicitation document available, and telephone requests for such will not be accepted. However, interested parties may submit literature demonstrating how their services meet VA requirements to the Contracting Officer for consideration. Responses must be received by April 2, 2003, and the government retains sole discretion over whether to proceed with competition based on those responses.