66--Notice of Intent to Sole Source Alloy-Replacement Lens Blocking System with On-Board Manufacturing

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 20, intends to award a sole-source contract to Satisloh North America (Satisloh), on behalf of the Boise VA Medical Center for ophthalmic eyeglass lens manufacturing equipment. Satisloh is presently the only manufacturer to offer alloy replacement technology and on-board manufacturing for eyeglass lenses. The proposed contract will be entered into under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(2) (Section 4202 of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996) , as implemented by FAR 13.5 for sole-source acquisitions using simplified acquisition procedures under the test program for certain commercial items. In accordance with FAR 5.101(a)(1) and 5.201, this is a notice of intent and is not a request for competitive quotations or proposals. No solicitation is available. Firms that believe they can provide equal or superior products that are capable of meeting the government's needs are encouraged to identify themselves and provide a substantive statement with descriptive literature and any other supporting information to the Contracting Officer within 15 days of publication of this notice. All information received within 15 days of publication of this notice will be considered by the Government to determine if more than one firm can meet the Government's requirements and is capable of providing equal or superior products. All responses shall be in writing and must be received by the contracting office no later than deadline provided in this notice. Responses may be e-mailed to [email protected], or mailed to the following address: Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 20 Attn: Justin Blyth 960 Broadway Ave, Ste. 460 Boise, ID 83706 The basis for this proposed sole-source procurement is that Satisloh is the only ophthalmic eyeglass lens processing equipment manufacturer that has commercially available equipment with a unique set of features that satisfies the government's needs. The VISN 20 Optical Fabrication Lab presently uses an alloy based blocking system for the processing of eyeglass lens blanks that is capable of processing up to 600 orders per 8-hour shift. The government has defined its need to increase production output capacity to over 1,000 orders per shift, reduce production lead times without substantially increasing the manufacturing equipment footprint within the lab, eliminating the hazardous waste stream associated with alloy blocking, maintaining compatibility and seamless integration with presently installed manufacturing equipment without retooling, employ a fully automated system capable of operating with minimal user input between the blocking and de-blocking phases of operation, and adopt an alternative lens de-blocking technology that does not rely on kinetic shock to break the adhesive bond. Furthermore, the lab has also identified an opportunity to install additional equipment for the application of anti-reflective (AR) coatings to eyeglass lenses, further reducing production lead times due to the new found ability to insource orders requiring the application of AR coatings. Questions concerning this acquisition must be directed to Justin Blyth at the above contact information.