Sole Source Intent for Blood Products and Services

The Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System in Little Rock, Arkansas intends to negotiate a sole source contract with the American Red Cross Blood Services Greater Ozarks Region for the supply of blood products and related services. This contract is planned to cover the period from October 1, 2002, through September 30, 2003, under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, which permits non-competitive procurement when certain conditions are met. The agency has issued a public synopsis inviting other interested parties to submit their qualifications and capabilities within 10 days from the publication date. These submissions will be reviewed solely to determine if a competitive procurement process should be conducted. Late or insufficient submissions will not be considered. The procurement aims to ensure that the contractor chosen can adequately fulfill the requirements for blood products and services needed by the healthcare system. The process gives the government discretion to decide whether competitive bidding is necessary based on the responses received. Communications must be in writing, and oral communications are not acceptable. The contract opportunity is managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, specifically the 256-NETWORK Contract Office 16, and references NAICS Code 621991 with a size standard of $8.5 million. The location of contract administration is Ridgeland, Mississippi, while the performance location details were not specified.