65--Becton Dickinson Sole Source Notification

The Amarillo VA Health Care System intends to make a sole source award to Becton Dickinson Diagnostic Systems for one BACTEC FX Blood Culture Instrument for use with existing Becton Dickinson Blood Culture Media with Patented Resin Technology. The new automated blood culture system must meet the following operational criteria: The unit must have a Windows based operational system. The unit must be user friendly in its' maintenance and use. The unit must to be self-calibrating. The unit must accept blood culture bottles which are compatible with the Vacutainer blood collection system. The unit must have an audible alarm system when positive blood cultures are detected. The unit must utilize a high quality blood culture media system that incorporates a resin technology for removal of antimicrobials and rapid detection of aerobic organisms. In addition, the anaerobic blood culture media must have a lytic agent for improved detection of anaerobic organisms. The unit must include training for the primary operators. The unit must include a laser printer and all necessary connecting cables. The unit must interface with the V.A.s VistA computer system.