6550--Cepheid Testing Kits - Notice of Intent to Sole Source

INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE The Department of Veterans Affairs, VHA Regional Procurement Office Central, Network Contracting Office 10, intends to enter into a sole source procurement for SARS COVID 2/Flu A&B/Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and SARS-CoV-2 specific testing kits for the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, 4646 John R Street, Detroit, MI 48201. The Department of Veterans Affairs intends to award a sole source, firm-fixed price 5-year indefinite delivery contract to Cepheid, 904 Caribbean Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94089. The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 325413 In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing, and the Business Size Standard is 1,250 Employees. The John D. Dingell VA Medical Center clinical microbiology laboratory offers testing done by molecular protocol which ensures a faster turn-around time as well as very accurate results. This allows the providers a state-of-the-art process to better treat their patients. The laboratory currently owns and utilizes Cepheid Multiplex Random Access PCR Instrumentation. The Cepheid assays for the detection of SAR Covid 2/Flu A&B/RSV and a separate assay for SARS-COV-2 individually are proprietary and specific to this instrumentation. Cepheid has provided supporting documentation stating they are the sole distributor of the testing reagents. The following Cepheid testing kits and estimated annual quantities are required: 1) KIT,XPRESS,COV-2/FLU/RSV PLUS,10 TEST (Catalog Number XP3COV2/FLU/RSV-10), 440 Boxes/YR 2) KIT,XPRESS,SARS-COV-2,10 TEST (Catalog Number XPRSARS-COV2-10), 440 Boxes/YR This notice satisfies the requirement at FAR 5.201(b)(1) to publicize the proposed contract action. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals or quotes. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Interested persons may identify their interests and capability to respond to this requirement no later than 11:59 PM Eastern Time, Sunday, October 9, 2022. Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to meet the subject requirement. This information shall be provided at no cost or obligation to the Government. Interest/capability statements shall be submitted to Jeffrey Rozema, Contract Specialist, via e-mail at [email protected]. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted.