Q--Notice of Intent to make sole source award to BIOMERIEUX INC to provide instrumentation capable of a timely determination of clinically significant organisms in blood utilizing blood culture bottles.

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 7, intends to award a five (5) year sole-source contract with BIOMERIEUX INC, 100 RODOLPHE STREET, DURHAM, NC, 27712-9402, on or around October 1, 2013 to provide instrumentation capable of a timely determination of clinically significant organisms in blood utilizing blood culture bottles. The contract is established for the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (113) at the Ralph H. Johnson VAMC for selected microbiology clinical lab procedures, provided by a selected entity in accordance with Title 38 US Code (U.S.C.) 8153. The vendor is Biomerieux, Durham, NC 27712. The Ralph H Johnson VAMC currently uses the BacT/Alert 3D instrument for testing of the presence or absence of microorganisms in blood. BacT/Alert 3D will only work with aerobic and anaerobic blood collection bottles that are purchased specifically for use on the instrument. Biomerieux has provided the tests in the past at a reasonable cost. Equipment currently exists in our facility and computer interfaces are functioning. The lab procedures performed on this equipment have benefitted the Veterans at the Ralph H. Johnson VAMC with quality diagnostic care. This contract provides diagnostic procedures not available by other vendors as microbiology procedures, and has proved successful in accommodating our Veteran's clinical needs. The Contractor possesses unique qualifications that require the use of the authority below. Vendor provides coagulation instrumentation that provides the laboratory with a mechanic, chromogenic, and immunological clotting mechanism to provide quality coagulation results for patient specimens in a timely manner. Vendor provides for the service and maintenance as required by the manufacturer on three chemistry instruments and three immunoassay instruments. Vendor provides all training and set-up of instruments to include preventative maintenance, as required. Vendor provides 24/7 emergency response to technical software and hardware providing no compromise to operations. NAICS Code: 325413 IN-VITRO DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCE MANUFACTURING (Size standards of employees 500) This proposed procurement is for services for which the government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source in accordance with FAR 6.302-1(b)(1)(i), Only One Responsible Source and no Other Supplies or Services will Satisfy Agency Requirements. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement no later than August 2, 2013, 4 p.m. EDT. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Point of Contact: Janica Francis-Hunter, Contract Specialist (Fax: +1 (555) 000-0000; e-mail: contact@example.gov)