36C10G19Q0064-004.docx

SECTION D - REQUIREMENT / PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

D.1 SCOPE OF WORK

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Non-Expendable Equipment National Program has identified the Slide Stainer product line as a candidate for a VA-wide (otherwise referred to as “national”) single Requirements contract award.

Slide Strainers are laboratory equipment designed to automate the staining of fixed samples intended for microscopic examination. These strainers may use several different techniques, including surface adsorption, direct and indirect staining, and mordant staining. Automated slide strainers perform staining faster and more uniformly than manual methods; the standardized procedure usually improves the quality and consistency of results. Dedicated slide strainers are available for use in hematology, microbiology, and cytology/histology; slide strainers that can perform immunostaining of cytology/histology specimens (i.e., for immunohistochemistry, histochemistry, and/or in situ hybridization) are also available.

The objective is to provide Slide Stainers to be used by clinicians throughout the VA medical centers and facilities. The period of performance is for one (1) 12-month base period with two (2) twelve- (12)-month option periods.

D.2 REQUIREMENT

Millipore Midas III-Plus Brand SLIDE STAINER or Equal

This requirement will be IAW FAR clause 52.211-6, “Brand Name or Equal” which requires that the vendor indicate each product that is being offered as an “equal” product. For each equal product, the vendor must include a description reflecting the characteristics and level of quality that will satisfy the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics of the equal product(s) specified below. The vendor must clearly identify the item by brand name (if any) and make/model number. The vendor must include descriptive literature, such as illustrations, drawings, or a clear reference to previously furnished descriptive data or information available to the contracting officer, and clearly describe any modifications it plans to make to a product to make it conform to the solicitation requirements.

If a vendor is quoting the requested brand, that vendor is still required to provide the supporting literature.

Vendors submitting an “Or Equal” quote must meet all the minimum salient characteristics listed below.

Requirement: Millipore Midas III-Plus Brand or Equal Slide Stainer – Contract Line Items (CLINs) as listed below:

Midas III-Plus Part Number Description

D.3 SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS

Salient Characteristics (SC):

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking vendors who can provide Millipore Midas III-Plus Slide Stainers or equal commodities as listed above which meet all of the following salient characteristics:

NOTE: The following minimum Salient Characteristics (SC) apply to CLIN 0001.

Minimum Salient Characteristics (SC) for the Slide Stainer (Literature Review):