November 2, 2009 The Department of Veterans, VA Boston Healthcare System, intends to negotiate a commercial (FAR Part 12) sole source contract with American Red Cross (ARC), located in 180 Rustcraft Road, Dedham, MA 02926 for blood products and services for a period of five (5) months under the authority of FAR 6.302-2. Please refer to the Sole Soruce Justification. . Item Description: Blood Products and Service to include but not limited to Leukoreduced Red Blood Cells, Fresh Frozen Plasma, Cryoprecipitate, and Leukoreduced Platelets. Period of Performance: Base Period: November 15, 2009 (or the date award) - February 14, 2010 Option Period 1: February 15, 2010 - March 14, 2010 Option Period 2: March 15, 2010 - April 14, 2010 Inquiries/information received after established deadline of Monday, November 9, 2009 1200 EST shall not be considered. The submission of any data for review shall not impede award of this contract as planned. The Government does not intend to pay for information solicited. This synopsis is issued pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. This requirement is an urgent requirement. However, any firm that believes it can meet these requirements may give written notification to the Contracting Officer within five (5) calendar days from the date of publication of this synopsis. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail, to demonstrate the ability to comply with the above requirements. This information can be faxed to Christine Gorman at
+1 (555) 000-0000 or via e-mail to
contact@example.gov. Responses will be evaluated; however, a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Post on FBO on Monday, November 2, 2009 at 1600 EST; Deadline on Monday, November 9, 2009 at 1200 EST. JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION 1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity. VA BOSTON HEALTHCARE SYSTEM for VISN-wide Agreement *2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved. SOLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT FOR: American Red Cross for Blood Products and services *3. Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs (including the estimated value). Please include the IFCAP transaction number, dollar value and a description of the item being sought. IFCAP Transaction # Reagent cost: N/A Item Description: Blood Products and Service to include but not limited to Leukoreduced Red Blood Cells, Fresh Frozen Plasma,Cryoprecipitate, and Leukoreduced Platelets 4. Identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition. FAR 6.302-1, USC 253(c)(1) Only One Responsible Source. *5. Demonstration that the proposed contractor's unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority sited. 1. American Red Cross is the only provider of blood products and services in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Connecticut. 2. However there is a program offered to members of the American Association of Blood Banks called the National Blood Exchange (NBE). The NBE is a resource sharing program to redistribute surplus blood components (shortage and surpluses) to its members. With the exception of AB positive, AB negative and B positive units, the American Red Cross no longer allows VISN 1 to return the blood units for credit. Participation in the NBE will assist VISN 1 in maintaining an effective inventory management program. 3. Rhode Island Blood Center can provide us with occasional units when there is a shortage of needed units from ARC. 4. The proposed contractor is the current contractor that is servicing the VA's emergency needs. This is a Contract until April 14, 2010. A new solicitation will be posted on/about January 31, 2010. *6. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are Solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a Commerce Business Daily notice was or will be published. The Network Consolidated Laboratory would like to explore membership in National Blood Exchange to compliment services provided by the American Red Cross and also have the flexibility to purchase needed units from the Rhode Island Blood Center. 7. Determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable. The contracting officer determined that the anticipated cost is fair and reasonable to the Government. The pricing of units through the National Blood Exchange (NBE) is determined by the seller. The NBE will add a 1% fee for their services. 8. Description of the market survey conducted (i.e., names, of firms and the date(s) the firms were contacted) and the results or a statement of the reasons a market survey was not conducted. American Red Cross is the key player in the market. The Service has tried different venue. The Rhode Island Blood Center can occasionally meet our requirements; however, it is not reliable. *9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition, such as an explanation why technical data packages, specifications, engineering descriptions, statements of work, or purchase descriptions suitable for full and open competition have not been developed or are not available. Other company did not meet the requirements as listed under item #5. 10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition. None today. 11. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required. The VISN 1 Contracting will continue to encourage full and open competition whenever possible.
