The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office (NCO) 10 intends to award a sole source purchase order to Siemens Medical Solutions USA for the purchase of a replacement part, MRI Body Coil for use at the Dayton VA Medical Center, 4100 W. Third Street, Dayton, OH 45428-9000 with: MRI Body Coil 1 EA An MRI transmit/receive body coil is placed on the patient for image acquisition. The transmission portion of the coil is used to provide a radiofrequency (Rf) excitation pulse that flips the hydrogen atoms (protons) either 90o or 180o away from B0 (the direction of the static magnetic field). This is called the B1 field. Determination of this sole source procurement is in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(2)(b) soliciting from one source. It is the Government s belief that the proposed candidate is the only provider of the proprietary surgical supplies. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. No solicitation documents are available and telephone requests will not be accepted. However, any business that believes it can provide the supplies may submit written notice to
[email protected] 4:00pm EST on May 31, 2019. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Justification for Single Source Awards IAW FAR 13.106-1 For Over Micro-Purchase Threshold but Not Exceeding the SAT ($250K) Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C250-19-AP-3394 Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 10, Dayton VA Medical Center. Network Contracting Office (NCO 10), 3140 Governors Place Blvd, Suite 210, Kettering, Ohio 45409. 2237 No: 552-19-3-121-0152. Brief Description of Supplies/ Services required and the intended use/Estimated Amount: Network Contracting Office (NCO) 10 intends to award a new, firm fixed price, brand name, purchase order, to the Original Equipment Manufacturer, Siemens. The request is for an MRI Body Coil for use with the Siemens MR Systems. This procurement is in accordance with FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items and specifically FAR 13.501, Special Documentation Requirements, where acquisitions conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures are exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6, but still require a justification using the format of FAR 6.303-2. The scope of the contract shall include the following: MRI Body Coil ESTIMATED DOLLAR VALUE: $59,500.00 REQUIRED DELIVERY DATE: 30 Days ARO Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one source, with the reason no other supplies or services can be used: When a patient is placed inside the bore of an MR, almost all of the protons line up parallel to the direction of the static magnetic field, B0. An MRI transmit/receive body coil is placed on the patient for image acquisition. The transmission portion of the coil is used to provide a radiofrequency (Rf) excitation pulse that flips the hydrogen atoms (protons) either 90o or 180o away from B0 (the direction of the static magnetic field). This is called the B1 field. Once the Rf excitation pulse is removed, the protons begin to move back into alignment with B0. During this process each of the trillions of protons affected by the excitation pulse emit a radio signal that is picked up (received) by the receiving portion of the coil. This allows for the spatial location and differentiation of various tissue types within the area under study. Most MR coils are receivers only with the transmission of the Rf excitation pulse generating from the scanner s internal coils near the orange dot in the diagram. The excitation pulse effects many protons on either side of the body part being imaged to a lesser degree. The Rf excitation pulse also affects implanted medical devices adversely, heating, vibration, etc. Therefore, to image patients that have implanted medical devices, focusing the Rf excitation pulse directly to the small area of study reduces/eliminates the adverse effect on medically implanted devices outside of the area of study. This allows people who could not previously benefit from an MR study to now safely have one. The items are peculiar to one manufacturer: A patent, copyright or proprietary data limits competition Siemens is the sole proprietor of all Siemens products. Also, the material/service must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit and function) with existing systems presently installed/performing. The Siemens MR System is currently in operation in the Therapeutic and Diagnostic Imaging Service. Accordingly, Siemens is the only firm capable of providing the supplies described in Section two (2) above without the Veteran s Health Administration experiencing substantial duplication of cost that could not be expected to be recovered through competition. Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted: This requirement does not provide for full and open competition regardless of the number of sources solicited. Inadequate competition is available for this requirement due to the proprietary nature of this product. This requirement will be synopsized with the intent to sole source. Firm within the marketplace are encouraged to submit capability information for future agency needs. An Intent to Sole Source, RFQ 36C25019Q0818, was posted on FBO May 22, 2019 and was cancelled on May 22, 2019 shortly after receiving two emails stating our company can provide. Posted a combined synopsis, RFQ 36C25019Q0824 on May 23, 2019 through May 27, 2019. Received one response from a SDVOSB stating he could not get the part any cheaper than Siemens is providing. Posting a combined synopsis, RFQ 36C25019Q0849 on May 28, 2019 for a brand name, full and open competition. Market research was conducted. Siemens was contacted to provide a list of any distributors for the MRI Body Coil. The inquiry resulted in the Siemens providing a sole source letter. Based on market research, the VA Rule of Two cannot be met. Contracting Officer's Certification: Purchase is approved in accordance with FAR13.106-1(b). I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. ____________________________ Angie C. Carpenter Contracting Officer NCO 10