Q--Service Contract with Red Cross - 610-14-1-082-0001

Attachment 2: Request for Sole Source Memo Format DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Justification and Approval For Other Than Full and Open Competition 1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 11, VA Northern Indiana Health Care System - Fort Wayne Campus. Transaction#: 610-14-1-082-0001 2. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Processed: Purchase of blood and blood products as well as performance of specialized transfusion service testing such as antibody identification, unit antigen typing, and other complex test procedures not performed by the VA Northern Indiana Health Care System laboratory. Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency's Needs: Blood and blood products will be requested and purchased on an as-needed basis dependent upon the clinical needs of our patients. Complex testing will be requested when necessary to support the need for blood and blood products and is required in order to obtain compatible product. Blood, Blood products and reference lab services must be available to the VANIHCS in a timely manner to support the needs of our patients. 3. Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition: (X) (1) Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements per FAR 6.302-1; ( ) (2) Unusual and Compelling Urgency per FAR 6.302-2; ( ) (3) Industrial Mobilization, Engineering, Developmental or Research Capability or Expert Services per FAR 6.302-3; ( ) (4) International Agreement per FAR 6.302-4 ( ) (5) Authorized or Required by Statute FAR 6.302-5; ( ) (6) National Security per FAR 6.302-6; ( ) (7) Public Interest per FAR 6.302-7; 4. Demonstration that the Contractor's Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority): The American Red Cross (ARC) - Indiana Ohio Region Blood Services is the only blood/blood product distribution service within a reasonable distance to the VANIHCS that can provide products on an as needed basis in a timely manner ranging from routine requests (1-2 days) to STAT requests (1-2 hours). Additionally, the ARC has reference lab services on site to provide non-routine testing of complex patient samples 24/7. They are able to screen units for complex patients and provide suitable blood products for transfusion to the VANIHCS in a timely manner to support patient care. 5. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable: Locations of other blood suppliers was investigated and this contractor was the only one identified that was capable of providing the STAT services within the required time frames due to the physical location of the distribution center. The only other blood distribution center and transfusion service reference lab identified had a distance of 84 miles per Mapquest. 6. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: American Red Cross pricing is reasonable based on comparison with other blood suppliers. Additionally, they support a transfer program that allows us to recover costs on products that potentially would not be used by transferring them to an alternate facility before they expire. 7. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted: Market research was conducted to determine if any other blood distribution centers would be able to meet the needs of our facility, in particular the time constraints required for STAT testing and STAT provision of blood and blood products. No other blood distribution facilities were identified that could meet these requirements due to their physical locations. 8. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: The American Red Cross is a nationally known and respected supplier of blood and blood products. They comply with all federal and state regulations related to the procurement, processing and distribution of blood and blood products. They comply with all regulatory requirements related to reference lab services for the scope of testing offered. 9. Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: None 10. A Statement of the Actions, if any, the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome any Barriers to Competition before Making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required: None. 11. Requirements Certification: I certify that the requirement outlined in this justification is a Bona Fide Need of the Department of Veterans Affairs and that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Signatures on file