J065--RFI: CARTO 3 Electro-Anatomical Mapping System Service Plan (Hardware/Software/Warranty)

The contract award for the CARTO 3 Electro-Anatomical Mapping System Service Plan, identified by solicitation number 36C25626C0017, was issued as a sole-source, firm-fixed-price agreement totaling $1,020,000 under FAR 13.106-1(b)(2) to Biosense Webster, Inc. The procurement was justified due to the proprietary nature of the CARTO 3 system, which requires exclusive manufacturer support for hardware, software updates, and technical maintenance, with no viable alternatives identified after market research through SAM.gov notice 36C25626Q0081. The contract encompasses a three-year period of performance beginning December 23, 2025, and concluding on December 22, 2028, structured as a base year with two optional one-year extensions, covering comprehensive service and support to ensure uninterrupted system functionality at the Department of Veterans Affairs facility in Houston, Texas. All services must be delivered by OEM-certified technicians, adhering to Biosense Webster’s proprietary specifications, with no external technical standards explicitly referenced beyond the manufacturer’s requirements. The contracting office is the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Network Contracting Office 16, located in Ridgeland, Mississippi, with the point of contact being Contract Specialist Shasta Britt, reachable via email and phone. No subcontracting, socioeconomic, or security clearance requirements are indicated, and no contract line item numbers or funding details beyond the total value are available. The place of performance is firmly established in Houston, Texas, with inspection and acceptance occurring at that location. The absence of clause listings, attachment details, packaging specifications, invoicing protocols, COR/COTR assignments, and evaluation factors reflects a post-award notice with limited contractual documentation, suggesting reliance on the sole-source justification and OEM exclusivity to drive compliance. Potential organizational conflicts of interest are acknowledged but not mitigated through formal clauses in the available records, and no invoice or payment office information is provided, though the VA’s contracting office address is listed for administrative reference.