J--Preventative maintenance for 80C Nitrostore System Cryogenics Biorepository Unit Boston VA Healthcare System, Jamaica Plain Medical Center

The Department of Veterans Affairs, specifically the VA Boston Healthcare System, is seeking to negotiate a sole source contract with Brooks Automation Inc. to provide maintenance and service for its Cryogenics Biorepository Unit located at the Jamaica Plain campus. This unit plays a critical role in processing and storing over half a million veteran specimens used in clinical trials managed by the VA Cooperative Studies Program. The existing contract with Brooks Automation will be continued under this new procurement action, with negotiations conducted under FAR 6.302-1 due to the sole source determination. Although this is not a competitive solicitation, the VA invites any responsible vendors who believe they can fulfill the requirement to submit a capability statement by October 27, 2016. Submissions are to be sent electronically to the designated contracting official, with no telephone inquiries accepted. The department reserves the discretion to decide whether to compete the contract based on responses received. The contract relates to the preventative maintenance of the unit’s 80C Nitrostore System, critical to maintaining the integrity of veteran specimens stored for research and clinical purposes.