12.102 Restricting Competition Acquisitions SAT26_Redacted.pdf

Page 2 of 3 Revision: 02 Effective Date: 12/30/2025 Acquisition ID# same breadth of inhalation exposure modalities under one umbrella, including aerosolized dusts and particulates, nebulized liquids, combustion-derived emissions, heated vapors, gases, and electronic cigarette/vaping exposures. The proposed system allows investigators to rapidly configure and customize exposure paradigms while maintaining precise control of airflow, temperature, humidity, aerosol concentration, vapor concentration, and exposure duration through a unified hardware and software platform. Of particular relevance to the VA research mission, the system includes a liquid combustion exposure generator capable of generating jet fuel and military burn pit-related combustion exposures; to the knowledge of the investigator, there is no other commercially available liquid combustion exposure system specifically designed for military burn pit research. Acquisition of multiple systems from different vendors would not provide equivalent integration, flexibility, monitoring capabilities, or operational efficiency and would substantially increase costs, maintenance requirements, training demands, and technical complexity. Therefore, IEStechno is the only known source capable of providing the required customized, modular, and fully integrated inhalation exposure system necessary to support the diverse respiratory, toxicology, environmental exposure, and Veteran-focused research programs at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System.

3. Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted:

Market research included review of commercially available inhalation exposure systems; prior VA and Federal procurements; Government research applications; and the VAPHS Sources Sought Notice 36C24426Q0725. The Sources Sought was posted closed on July 10, 2026. There was no response from any other sources that can provide a modular system capable of controlled exposure to aerosolized particulates, vapors, and gaseous agents. Searched the Strategic Acquisition Center, National Acquisition Center, General Service Administration, and other existing contracts. For federal contracting and SBA programs, a business in NAICS 541714 qualifies as small if it has no more than 1,000 employees NAICS 541714 is for biotechnology R&D (excluding nanobiotech), with 541714-08 being a marketing-level code for commercial physical research within that sector. It applies to companies engaged in laboratory-based biotech innovation, often with commercial or industrial applications.

The review identified multiple manufacturers in the broader inhalation-exposure market, including SCIREQ Scientific Respiratory Equipment and CH Technologies, demonstrating that commercial respiratory exposure equipment is available. Prior VA procurements also establish a market for smaller or less comprehensive inhalation systems. VAPHS awarded Purchase Order 36C24425P0798 in September 2025 for a SCIREQ inExpose inhalation exposure system, including delivery and installation, for $39,260.00 Another VA procurement, 36C24224P1734, involved an inhalation exposure system valued at approximately $42,721.00 These price and market comparisons do not represent the full integrated toxicant-generation combustion, monitoring, control, and cellular-exposure capability of the present requirement. Other VA research activities also support the need for specialized inhalation platforms.

Page 3 of 3 Revision: 02 Effective Date: 12/30/2025 Acquisition ID#

Veterans' Hospital requirement involving controlled animal exposure to military-relevant toxicants such as diesel particulate matter and TCDD/dioxin, using a whole-body mouse exposure configuration. The William S. Middleton VA Medical Center has also acquired SCIREQ pulmonary research equipment for rodent studies.

Market research conclusion: Commercial systems exist that perform individual portions of the requirement. The basis for restricting competition is the Government's need for the complete integrated and validated configuration, not merely the existence of an inhalation chamber. Final file documentation should incorporate the contracting officer's analysis of responses received under 36C24426Q0898 and confirm that no respondent offered an equal solution meeting all minimum requirements without substantial redesign, integration, or validation. If an equal solution was demonstrated, this justification should be revised before approval.

There are no Service-disabled Veteran or Veteran Owned small businesses that provide a similar system. Inhalation Exposure System (IEStechno) is a small business 541714.

There is no waiver to the non-manufacturing rule, and this system will be manufactured in the US with domestically sourced materials. Therefore, this will be solicited for 3 days and post this sole source to ensure if there is any other potential source that an attempt was made to get competition.

Contracting Officer's Certification: Purchase is approved in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b). I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Andrew Taylor Contracting Officer

ANDREW

TAYLOR

Digitally signed by ANDREW

TAYLOR

Date: 2026.09.01 07:59:46 -04'00'