65--Cepheid MRSA/CDiff Cost/Test Contract

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office (NCO) 17 intends to establish a firm fixed price contract with Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA 94089-, for lab tests services. The requesting location is South Texas Veterans Health Care System 7400 Merton Minter Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229. NAICS 325413 applies. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C.253 (c) (1), as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 8.405-6 (only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized; and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements). The described lab tests services must match the processes currently in use at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System and only Cepheid can fulfill this requirement. No other company is expected to respond to the requirement. Cepheid is the sole proprietary manufacturer and does not use distributors or sub-license any portion of the product. Period of Performance shall be from 1 October 2014 - 30 September 2015. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. It is not a solicitation or request for offers. No solicitation package is available. However, any qualified vendor that determines it can meet the government's requirements may give written notification through e-mail to the Contracting Specialist, [email protected] no later than September 26 2014, 12pm CDT. No telephone responses will be accepted. Information received will be for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct a competitive procurement. The determination to conduct a competitive procurement based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Contracting Officer. A determination not to compete is solely within the discretion of the Government. Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government.