36--NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE SEMI-AUTOMATIC BOTTLE OPENING SYSTEM

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Acquisition Center (NAC) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis and award a contract for a Semi-Automatic Bottle Opening System to R/X Automation Solutions Inc., P.O. Box 671, Longmont, CO 80501 under the authority of FAR Subpart 6.302-1 Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. The purpose of this contract is to provide and install a semi-automatic bottle opening system at two Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy (CMOP) facilities. The contract performance period is approximately 18 weeks after award. The NAICS code is 333993 Packaging Machinery Manufacturing and the small business size standard is 500 employees. Initial contract award is expected to be on or before 28 February 2013. The VA has determined R/XAS is the only responsible source because they are the original designer and only supplier of a highly specialized commercial off-the-shelf prescription drug bulk-up system which processes the contents of fully-closed bottles at high speed, reducing staff and increasing production. This procurement is based on the determination that the Government would be seriously injured unless the agency is permitted to limit the number of sources from which it solicits proposals. This Notice of Intent to award a sole source contract is not a request for competitive proposals. This announcement constitutes the only notice; proposals are not being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement, in writing, no later than the response date. Written responses shall contain sufficient documentation to establish a bona fide capability to fulfill the requirement. Written responses may be submitted electronically no later than 11:00 a.m. EST on 23 January 2013 to Kristine Hostetler at [email protected].