A--Lab Reagents

Notice of Intent to Sole Source - VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTM. Acquisition Plan Number: VA244-15-R-0109 On behalf of the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 4 intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302-1(a) (2), Only One Responsible Source Available And No Other Supplies Or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. The VA intends to award a sole-source, fixed priced contract to Ventana Medical Systems of 1910 E Innovation Park Drive Tucson, AZ 85755-1962 for antibodies, special stains, cell conditioners and other reagents to be used in the VA owned equipment manufactured by Ventana Medical Systems. A Justification and Approval for Other Than Full and Open Competition has been approved. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals or an announcement of a forthcoming solicitation, but instead a notification of the Governments intent to purchase the reagents from Ventana Medical Systems the manufacturer of the Ventana Biomedical IHC/IHS staining platforms currently in use in the department. The antibodies and reagents must be bioengineered specifically to conform to optimal incubation times and temperatures within the platforms. They must be delivered from bar-coded dispensers recognized by the platforms onto tissue slides with similar bar-coding. The antibodies, conditioners and other reagents must have attached information buttons that allow the platforms to keep track of product lot numbers, quantity and outdates on a test by test basis. Any possible product problem or defect can be monitored by the vendor and relayed to the Pathology Department. The tracking information is stored and retrieved with the platform's software package where printouts can be ordered and filed. Requests for copies of a solicitation in response to this notice will not be honored or acknowledged. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Only responsible sources that believe they are capable of meeting the requirement may submit a capability statement, proposal, and quotation which the agency may consider for purposes of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The VA will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this notice of intent. All responses to this synopsis must be in writing and shall contain sufficient documentation to establish a bona fide capability to fulfill this requirement. Submitted documentation will not be returned. Any prospective contractor must be registered in the System For Award Management (SAM) in order to be eligible for award. Information concerning SAM registration requirements may be viewed via the Internet at www.sam.gov . If no affirmative responses are received within 3 business days, in accordance with FAR 13-106-1(b) (1), the sole source process will continue without any additional notices being posted. Responses to this notice are due on or before 1/27/2015, 2:00 PM EST by email to [email protected] .