Notice of Intent to Sole Source USAFA Autoclave System and Reverse Osmosis System

The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) intends to award a sole-source, Firm-Fixed-Price contract to Getinge USA Sales, LLC (Getinge) under the simplified procedures for commercial products in accordance with RFO Part 12. The proposed North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 339113 (Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing).

Requirement:

The USAFA Dean of Faculty Department of Biology (DFBI) requires the lifecycle replacement of one Autoclave System and one Reverse Osmosis (RO) System for use by over 800 Cadets per year for critical daily operations, including sterilizing materials for classes and research and processing biohazardous waste.

The systems must meet the following salient characteristics:

Steam Sterilizer System (Autoclave)

• Quantity: One (1) new system


• Chamber volume: At least 275L


• Gravity Cycles: Capable of 110C – 135C temperatures


• Vacuum Cycles: Capable of 110C – 135C temperatures


• Liquid Cycles: Capable of 104C – 135C temperatures


• Exterior Dimensions (W x H x D): Close to 30” x 74” x 48”


• Configuration: Freestanding unit


• Utilities: Integrated electric steam generator with 480V AC, 60Hz, 3-phase electrical requirements; sterilizer control with 115V AC, 60Hz, 1-phase electrical requirements


• Control Interface: Touchscreen interface and a PACS 3500 Programmable Logic Controller with preprogrammed cycles


• Safety Features: Chamber safety interlock and steam safety valves to protect against over pressurization

Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water Treatment System

• Quantity: One (1) new system


• Configuration: Wall-mounted system with associated bladder tank


• Utilities: 115V, 60Hz, 1-phase electrical requirements


• Capacity: Capability to produce up to 400 gallons per day of RO water


• Rough Dimensions (L x W x D): Close to 38” x 26” x 7”


• Filter Elements: 3 pre-filters and single membrane


• Bypass: Manual bypass capability


• Feeder: Polyphosphate feeder cartridge

Removal and Installation Services

• Deinstallation, removal, and complete haul-away of the Department's existing Autoclave and RO systems.


• Turnkey installation, final utility connections, calibration, and startup testing of the new system.

Justification:

In accordance with RFO 12.102(a), the Government has determined that only one source is reasonably available to fulfill this requirement.

Market research and responses to a prior Request for Information (RFI) confirmed that alternative manufacturer models that meet the minimum 275L chamber volume are physically too large to fit into the laboratory room’s highly restricted, pre-built spatial footprint. Getinge is the only known manufacturer whose 275L unit complies with the strict physical room dimensions.

Additionally, DFBI currently has an active preventative maintenance and service contract with Getinge for other departmental laboratory autoclaves. Standardizing on Getinge equipment allows the Government to integrate this new system under the existing active maintenance contract immediately. This standardizes training for laboratory technicians and biological safety personnel, ensures immediate compatibility of replacement parts, and reduces administrative and logistical overhead by avoiding the management of multiple service contracts.

To prevent unacceptable supply chain, installation, and biological safety certification risks, the Government requires this procurement to be executed directly with Getinge USA Sales, LLC to guarantee OEM-certified utility connections, check-out, and warranty integration.

Disclaimer:

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations, and a formal solicitation will not be issued. However, any responsible source that believes it can meet these requirements may submit a capability statement. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination not to compete this action is solely within the discretion of the Government.

Responses:

Submit capability statements electronically to Nicole Cibula at nicole.cibula@us.af.mil and Amy Krause at amy.krause.1@us.af.mil by 11:00 AM (MDT) on 7 August 2026.