The VISN 10 Network Contracting Office (NCO) 10, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical, Cleveland, Ohio intends to negotiate a sole source contract with Corps Biologics LLC the only authorized SDVOSB Distributor. This is for the acquisition of ZEISS OS \F\ CIRRUS HD-OCT (Model 6000) with AngioPlex OCT Angiography\F\ Version 9.5 in support of the Eye Clinic retinal specialists that see a high volume of complicated retina cases at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center (LSCVAMC) 10701 East Boulevard, Cleveland VA Medical Center. The North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) is 333314. The Government believes that Corps Biologics LLC is the only SDVOSB that can satisfy the requirements of the agency. Therefore, the Government intends to proceed with a sole source for the required equipment. This procurement is for six upgrades to OS \F\ CIRRUS HD-OCT (Model 6000) with AngioPlex OCT Angiography\F\ Version 9.5 and three new OS \F\ CIRRUS HD-OCT (Model 6000) with AngioPlex OCT Angiography\F\ Version 9.5 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. 41 USC §3304(a)(5), 38 U.S. Code § 8127(c), as implemented by FAR 6.302-5 (Authorized or Required by Statute). COs may use the non-competitive (sole source) procedures authorized in VAAR 819.7007 Sole source awards to a verified service-disabled veteran-owned small business. To the best of our knowledge, Corps Biologics LLC is the only SDVOSB source that can provide the required equipment. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. No solicitation document is available; however, any firm that believes it can meet these requirements may give written notification to the Contracting Officer within five (5) business days from the date of publication of this synopsis. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to comply with the above requirements. Information can be sent to the Contracting Officer via email at
[email protected]. Responses received will be evaluated however a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. If no responses are received, on or before COB April 24, 2019, the VA will proceed with the sole source award Corps Biologics LLC for the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center. The Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center (LSCVAMC) currently utilizes Zeiss CIRRUS HD-OCT analyzers in COPS Optometry. The current models are not equipped with the AngioPlex OCT angiography technology (OCT-A) which enhances patient care and diagnostic activities within these clinics. OCT-A is used to detect growth of new blood vessels in the retina and choroid of the eye. These destructive vessels are associated with vision loss in many of the most common causes of blindness, including diabetes and macular degeneration. This makes up a large part of our patient base and OCT-A gives better ability to recognize these changes sooner and more accurately than our current technology. This technology is available within our Wade Park and Parma locations, though it is not yet widely available at clinics to avoid costly outsourcing of many patient cases. This ability is important for patient outcomes as it provides a less invasive way of case completion. Previously this information was obtained using fluorescein angiography which requires dye to be injected into the arm and a special camera to detect the growth of new blood vessels. Some patients are susceptible to severe reactions to the dye, requiring crash cart preparation. This test is only performed on a referral basis because of the extensive set up and time requirements. By upgrading our currently used OCT analyzers with this technology, the Optometry service will be able to meet patient demands by providing uniform care across the network, while also decreasing the costly outsourcing of patient cases. This will enable the service to provide uninterrupted patient care while also enabling our retinal ophthalmologist from Wade Park to have more detailed information when receiving referrals from outpatient clinics. The ophthalmologist will be able to remote view the data and better triage and prepare for consultations that will need to be completed at the Main Campus. This request is being entered as a sole source due to the proprietary nature of the software needed to upgrade the existing units and respective hardware. The equipment must also be able to interconnect with ZEISS FORUM. This is a database enterprise system provided by Zeiss for image storage, processing, and analysis. Zeiss holds proprietary rights to the requested software that is necessary to complete the upgrades of the current OCT analyzers used at the outpatient clinics to enable the desired functionality of OCT-A. The Heidelberg Spectralis OCTA Module upgrade is considered proprietary to the manufacturer and Corps Biologics is their SDVOSB authorized distributor and only SDVOSB vendor source that meets all the government requirements. THIS SYNOPSIS DOES NOT COMMIT THE GOVERNMENT TO CONTRACT FOR ANY SUPPLY OR SERVICE. THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY INFORMATION OR ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS INCURRED IN RESPONSE TO THIS SYNOPSIS.