66--Intent to Sole Source: Vevo 2100 Ultrasond Imaging System

Classification Code: 66 - Instruments & laboratory equipment NAICS Code: 334 - Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing/334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Cincinnati Procurement Operations Division (CPOD), intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) - FAR Part 6.302-1 (a)(2) with VisualSonics, Inc. to procure a VisualSonics Vevo 2100 Ultrasound Imaging System. This system will provide the US EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD), National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL) with the capacity to make functional assessments of multiple organ systems with a diverse array of applications including cardiovascular, cancer, developmental biology, neurobiology, reproductive biology, contrast Imaging, and systems biology. These assessments will be made in multiple animal models including mice, rats, rabbits, and zebra fish. No such system currently exists in NHEERL or ORD. It has been determined that VisualSonics, Inc. is uniquely qualified to satisfy the Government's requirement because of the specialized nature of this research work. The VisualSonics Vevo 2100 Imager is the only known 128 Channel ultrasound imaging system that is built and optimized for imaging the cardiovascular systems of small laboratory animals, particularly mice and rats. The Vevo High-Frequency Ultrasound System is the only known imaging platform that enables the researcher to obtain in vivo anatomical, functional, physiological and molecular data simultaneously, in real-time with resolution down to 20 um. The Vevo 2100 system supports a broader frequency range (6-70 MHz) enabling imaging of a wide range of anatomies in different types of animal models including mice, rats, zebrafish, and rabbits, all of which are studied at the National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory. The Vevo technology is superior to clinical echocardiography (which all other s ystems are based) in assessing left ventricular function in mice. The Vevo 2100 is the only preclinical imager that can integrate blood pressure readings from other systems to enable pressure-volume assessments of the left ventricular function. Any firm that is capable of meeting EPA's requirement as set forth above may submit a response; which, if received within fifteen (15) calendar days of the date of this announcement, will be reviewed for consideration. Responses to this posting must be submitted in writing via email only. A determination not to compete the described requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Federal Government. Any responses or comments should be directed via e-mail to Lisa Ryle at [email protected]. One or more of the items under this acquisition is subject to the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement and Free Trade Agreements per FAR 5.207(c)(14)(ii).