Added: Sep 18, 2008 8:07 am
The Department of Veterans, VA Boston Healthcare System, has a requirement for vendor ALA Scientific Instruments to provide specialize instruments identified in the Statement of Work per requirements to Research Department It is the Governments intention to solicit and negotiate only with this source. Please refer to the Sole Source Justification. This is not a solicitation; it is notice of intent to sole source a requirement.
Inquires/information received after established deadline of September 22, 2008 shall not be considered. The submission of any data for review shall not impede award of this contract as planned. The Government does not intend to pay for information solicited. This synopsis is issued pursuant to FAR 6.302-1.
JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETION
Purchase specialize products to a multi channel recording system from ALA Scientific Instruments to build a second physiology lab setup. This system will be used as the main observation instrument at lab work station where experiments are run on tissue samples.
1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity
Boston VA Healthcare System - A&MMS;
2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.
Sole Source procurement is for the ALA Scientific Instruments. The Boston VA Center for Innovative Visual Rehabilitation wishes to purchase a multi channel recording system from ALA Scientific Instruments to build a second physiology lab setup.
3. Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agencys needs (including the estimated value).
The multi channel recording system is required in order to characterize the response of retinal cells to photic and electrical stimulation. This effort is directed toward the development of a retinal prosthesis.
4. Identification of the statutory authority permitting other then full and open competition.
FAR Part 6.302-1, Only one responsible source.
FAR Part 6.302-2, Unusual and Compelling Urgency.
5. Demonstration that the proposed contractors unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.
The CIVR has a long history of working with the selected vendor (ALA Scientific Instruments). Currently utilized equipment was purchased from this vendor who is the sole distributor in the USA of the equipment required.
6. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a Commerce Business Daily Notice was or will be publicized as required by subpart 5.2 (copy attached) and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies.
No other vendors are available in the USA for equipment made by Multi Channel Systems.
This requirement is expected to exceed $25,000 and in accordance with FAR 5.201(b) (1) a notice will be posted through FBO.
7. Determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the government will be fair and reasonable:
As contracting officer, I certify the cost is fair and reasonable, and advantageous to the government.
8. Description of the market survey conducted (i.e., names of firms and date(s) the firms were contacted) and the results or statement of the reasons a market survey was not conducted:
No other firms were contacted. Contractor ALA Scientific Instruments has the expertise, qualification and experience to provide quality service per the government requirements
9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition, such as an explanation why technical data packages, specifications, or engineering descriptions, statements of work, or purchase descriptions suitable for full and open competition have not been developed or are not available:
The VA CIVR has carefully worked with the vendor to characterize the system and to make it the most efficient both equipment wise and price wise. The CIVR (through the VA) has purchased the same type of a system from ALA Scientific Instruments in the past with the full support for setting an efficient system.
10. A listing of the sources, if any that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition:
None to Date.
11. A statement of the actions, if any the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required:
The contracting activity will continue to encourage full and open competition whenever possible.
Statement of Work
Vendor is to provide specialize instruments identified in the Statement of Work per requirements to VA Center for Innovative Vision Rehabilitation, Boston VA Medical Center, Room 309-310 Bldg 1A, 150 S. Huntington Ave, Boston, MA.
Point of Contact, Contracting Officer, Gloria Voudren, email: gloria.voudren@va.gov
The Boston VA Center for Innovation Visual Rehabilitation requires the purchase of multi channel recording system from ALA Scientific Instruments to build a second physiology lab setup. This system will be used as the main observation instrument at lab work station where experiments are run on tissue samples. Our research department is investigating treatments for blindness. As part of this work research from ALA Scientific Instruments to build a second physiology lab setup. This system will be used as the main observation instrument at lab work station where experiments are run on tissue samples. Our research department is investigating treatments for blindness. As part of this work research wants to study how groups of retinal neurons respond to stimulation. This cannot be accomplished by conventional single-cell recording systems. This system would also allow research to study how large populations of retinal ganglion cells respond to light stimulation which is part of their collaborative effort with researchers at MIT. This study aims to gain insight into the spiking code(s) used by the retina. It will be house in VAs existing laboratory room 309-310 of the animal facility (Bldg 1A). The system will be used to the extent of its useful life span (a few years). The specialize instruments are required as soon as possible to prevent delays in the research. No training is required. It is a duplicate (more advanced version) of an existing system that is in service for the last nine years. The system has no security or safety issues associated with it.
SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS
SECTION B
Item Description QTY Unit Unit Amt
ALA OCTA-8P/1 1 OctaFlow 8 ch.Pinch 1 EA $____________
QMM-8/1 1 ch for bath
perfusion 7 focal perfusion
ALA MEA-PPOR 2 MEA 1060 Perfusion 1 EA $____________
2 Ports
3 USB-MEA 60 ch complete
system no in-built stimulator.
MPIOH-t (Qty:2) Magnetic
mounting plate. 2 ch temp
contr with PH 01 1 EA $_____________
ALA MPIOH-T 4 Mag per I/O holder Teflon 2 EA $____________
ALA LL-2 5 Level lock fluid controller 1 EA $___________
ALA LL-SHOLD 6 Levelock holder w/adjustment 1 EA $____________
TOTAL COST $________________
Publish on FBO: Thursday, September 18, 2008 @8:00 am EST for 5 days;
Deadline: Monday, September 22, 2008 @8:00 am EST.
