65--Notice of Intent to Award Sole Source YAG Ophthalmic Laser (504)

The Service Area Office (SAO) West Network Contracting Office (NCO) 18, El Paso, Texas intends to award a firm fixed-price, sole source contract to Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., for the purchase of a VISULAS YAG III COMBI with Table, Part Number 266002-1125-665, under the authority of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, on or before July 21, 2014. Carl Zeiss Meditec is the manufacturer of the VISULAS YAG III COMBI with Table. The Amarillo VA Healthcare System, Ophthalmology Department will used the YAG ophthalmic laser to treat bleeding in the back of the eye globe from diabetic retinopathy and to cut holes in the opacities posterior capsules following cataract surgery. This laser is used to cut peripheral holes in the iris for narrow angle glaucoma. The Carl Zeiss VISULAS YAG III is the only YAG ophthalmic laser with a four point aiming beam that allows the best treatment for patients by allowing the physician to view the back of the eye globe and make corrections to eye repairs with less tearing or errors and in four different directions rather than the two directions that other eye lasers have. The patented (US Patent Number 7,545,515) Carl Zeiss Super-Gaussian beam profile of VISULAS YAG III ensures that optical breakdown is achieved with very low pulse energies (2.5 mJ in Air). The result of fewer side effects for the patient and less risk thanks to an extremely high level of accuracy during therapy. This unique beam profile allows for efficient therapy even in the most difficult cases. The sharply defined focus of therapy beam and the highly consistent pulses permit constant tissue effects and leads to a low risk of lens pits. Anterior and posterior focus shift reduces the risk of secondary effects, permits optimum defocusing for each application and hence greater safety for the patient. Market research shows other companies offer YAG ophthalmic lasers; however, they do not possess the Super-Gaussian beam profile. The NAICS Code for this requirement is 339112 with a small business size standard of 500 employees. This is not a request for competitive proposals. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement which shall be considered by the agency before the intended award date. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action is based upon the features required by the Government and is solely within the discretion of the Government. Interested offerors who submit data are responsible for appropriately marking information if it is proprietary in nature. The Government will not reimburse interested sources for any information provided. No request for capability briefing will be honored as a result of this notice and any information provided will not be used as part of any subsequent solicitation requirement. All responses to this notice should be sent electronically to [email protected]. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Responses must be received by 12:00 PM ET, Monday, July 7, 2014.