Solicitation Number:

VA-101-08-RQ-0211

Notice Type:

Presolicitation

Synopsis:

The Department of Veterans Affairs Central Office (VACO) intends to issue a sole source contract to ThermoFisher Scientific, Franklin, MA for the following equipment: Miran SapphlRe XL Ambient Air Analyzer with gas filter and particulate filter; 85 each #205B-XL1A3N; 85 each #CR015BE Miran Sapphire Accessories Kit includes carrying case, leak detection proble, spare particulate and zero gas filter; 85 each #CALIBRATION Standard MultiComponent Calibration Set #5, Indoor Air Quality; 85 each #CALIBRATION Standard MultiComponent Calibration Set #7, Medical Air International; 85 CALIBRATION Standard MultiComponent Calibration Set #7, Medical Air International; and 85 each #TRAIN-IH Training at VA Facilities by local Regional Sales Manager upon request of VA. This notice of intent is not a request for quotes. The Government intends to acquire the supplies via FAR 6.302-1 and FAR Part 12. Interested organizations may submit descriptive literature containing sufficient literature to the extent necessary to allow the government to determine the technical acceptability of specification. The aforementioned information should be submitted in writing to the Contract Specialist (email: Priscilla.Lee@va.gov) not later than 2:00 p.m. local time on July 1, 2008. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. Please referenc RFQ #VA-101-08-RQ-0211. The NAICS #334516. Below is the Justification for the aforementioned supplies, in accordance with FAR 11.105: JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION Upon the basis of the following justification, I hereby approve the issuance of the contractual action described below using other than full and open competition, pursuant to the authority cited herein. 1. Identification of Agency Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Acquisition and Logistics Center for Acquisition Innovation (049A1) 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20420 2. Nature of Action Being Approved: This justification and approval set for the facts and requests approval for the issuance of a sole source contract with ThermoFisher Scientific, Franklin, MA for MIRAN SapphIRe XL Ambient Air Analyzers to support medical facilities within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The proposed cost is $1,663,535. 3. Description of Service and Supplies: The equipment has follows: Miran SapphlRe XL Ambient Air Analyzer with gas filter and particulate filter; 85 each #205B-XL1A3N; 85 each #CR015BE Miran Sapphire Accessories Kit includes carrying case, leak detection proble, spare particulate and zero gas filter; 85 each #CALIBRATION Standard MultiComponent Calibration Set #5, Indoor Air Quality; 85 each #CALIBRATION Standard MultiComponent Calibration Set #7, Medical Air International; 85 CALIBRATION Standard MultiComponent Calibration Set #7, Medical Air International; and 85 each #TRAIN-IH Training at VA Facilities by local Regional Sales Manager upon request of VA. 4. Statutory Authority: The statutory authority for this justification is 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c) (1) or 41 U.S.C. c(1) and FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services will Satisfy Agency Requirements. 5. Justification Rationale: The Miran SapphIRe filter-based, single beam spectrophotometer (IRs) is the sole source provider of multi-gas detection system with the ability to measure at user selectable wavelengths in single or multiple gas mode while compensating for interfering gases with similar absorption bandwidths. It is a unique product in that it is field portable weighing less than 40 pounds, whereas traditional infrared spectrophotometers of this capability are bench mounted for stationary use in the lab at 3-5X the weight with full computer screens. It provides a charcoal clean air purge cycle to ensure accurate readings, whereas traditional IRs models require single canister gases and manual calculation of calibration curves. The MIRAN IR unit has the calibration curves on pre-loaded internal software and simultaneously checks pathway beam length performance during the analysis process to verify that the software curve is valid. Most importantly, the MIRAN IR has 120 library-based chemical calibration curves pre-loaded to allow selection of the chemical to be analyzed by the user. These 120 standard library curves are not available in any IR unit on the market, much less a field portable one. Additionally, Foxboro recognizes the special needs of healthcare facilities by including all the major U.S. and European Anesthetic gases combinations as an option. This anesthetic gas option is also not available as a standard package by any other manufacturer. These rather complex attributes packaged in a touch screen user interface have resulted in wide acceptance by Federal Agencies, including DOD. The MIRAN IR Foxboro units are already widely selected by VHA facilities to meet on station response. Most Networks only have 1-2 MIRAN IRs. Laboratory equipment trade and manufacturer publications (mostly Rimbach Publications) have been reviewed, and lab and pollution control equipment websites and websearches have been conducted to find comparable IR units. No other IR product incorporates such a large internal library, with adjustable beampath capability and a user touch screen in a portable field package at any price. Portable IRs are available , but possess limited chemical (

Contracting Office Address:

Department of Veterans Affairs;VA Central Office;Cntr. for Acquisition Innovation (049A3);810 Vermont Avenue, NW;Washington DC 20420

Point of Contact(s):

Priscilla Lee, 202-461-6807