36C10G24Q0092 0003.docx
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- Attached to
- 6515--NX EQ Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscope
- Solicitation number
- 36C10G24Q0092
About this file
This document is an amendment to a previous combined solicitation for a federal contract opportunity related to the procurement of Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscope equipment and accessories for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The solicitation, number 36C10G24Q0092, is seeking vendors to provide the Keeler Vantage Plus LED Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscope or an equal product that meets the specified salient characteristics. The required equipment includes various models of the ophthalmoscope, chargers, batteries, and accessories. Key details include a single-award requirements contract with a 1-year base period and four 12-month option years, full and open competition, and a NAICS code of 339115 (Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing). Quotes are due by 11:59 PM EST on April 12, 2024. The VA has provided clarification on several questions related to the salient characteristics and product requirements, including maintaining the current specifications.
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Amendment to a Previous Combined Solicitation
Amendment to a Previous Combined Solicitation
| SUBJECT* |
| NX EQ Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscope |
GENERAL INFORMATION
| CONTRACTING OFFICE’S ZIP CODE* |
| 22408-2697 |
| SOLICITATION NUMBER* |
| 36C10G24Q0092 |
| RESPONSE DATE/TIME/ZONE |
| 04-12-2024 11:59 PM EASTERN TIME, NEW YORK, USA |
| ARCHIVE |
| 90 DAYS AFTER THE RESPONSE DATE |
| RECOVERY ACT FUNDS |
| N |
SET-ASIDE
| PRODUCT SERVICE CODE* |
| 6515 |
| NAICS CODE* |
| 339115 |
| CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS |
| U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs |
OPAL | Strategic Acquisition Center
10300 Spotsylvania Ave | STE 400 Fredericksburg VA 22408-2697
POINT OF CONTACT*
Contract Specialist Kimberly LeMieux Kimberly.LeMieux@va.gov 813-934-1286
PLACE OF PERFORMANCE
| ADDRESS |
| Nationwide |
POSTAL CODE
COUNTRY
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
AGENCY’S URL
URL DESCRIPTION
AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS
EMAIL DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION
Questions Salient Characteristic # 6 on page 7 of the Solicitation states:
| SC 6 |
| Must have a wall mounted charger with ability to store extra battery |
| Literature Review |
| 0001 |
Please note that a wall mounted charger with ability to store an extra battery is a specific design feature of a single manufacturer, Keeler. No other manufacturer offers a Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscope with a wall mounted charger that “has the ability to store an extra battery”. As a result, Salient Characteristic #6 would appear to be a de facto sole source that would need to be justified in accordance with FAR Part 6 and is inconsistent with FAR 11.002 which requires solicitations to specify needs in a manner that “Promotes full and open competition” and “Only include restrictive provisions or conditions to the extent necessary to satisfy the needs of the agency or as authorized by law.”
In addition, the extra battery requirement in SC 6, the second battery requirement in proposed CLIN 0001, CLIN 0002, and CLIN 0010 and the “Smart Pack Battery Pack” in CLINs 0006 and 0007 including the backup battery charging are specific Keeler configurations based upon the battery life in each of the Vantage Plus LED Convertible Slimline Wireless Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscope and Vantage Plus LED Convertible Wired Headset Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscope. Therefore, these models as stated in the respective CLINS would also appear to be a de facto sole source which would require the same justification as noted above. These CLINs requirements appear to only be necessary because of Keeler’s limited battery life.
For Clarification:
| SC 6 |
| Must have a wall mounted charger for the Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscope with an integrated or separate charging solution for extra battery. |
| Literature Review |
| 0001 |
Q.1 Will the VA eliminate Salient Characteristic #6? ANWER: No SC updated.
Q.2 Will the VA include a Salient Characteristic that requires a minimum time period that the Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscope must operate without a change in battery, such as 10 hours, which exceeds the normal workday period of performance? ANWER: No.
Q.3 If the VA is unwilling to add a minimum battery powered operating time Salient Characteristic, will the VA revised Salient Characteristic #6 to read:
Must have a wall mounted charger with ability to store extra battery or with the ability to charge a Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscope which has a minimum battery powered operating time of 10 hours. ANSWER: See Question 1.
Q.4 We note that the Solicitation does not include a required warranty period which covers the estimated useful life for Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscopes which approximates 10 years. Will the VA add a Salient Characteristic that requires a warranty period of 10 years for the offered items? ANSWER: No.
CLIN 0001, CLIN 0004, and CLIN 0006 refer to a Hi Mag Lens. The Hi Mag Lens produces a higher magnification of a retinal area but significantly reduces the clinical field of view, defeating the purpose of indirect ophthalmoscopy. No other manufacturer offers a Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscope with a Hi Mag Lens and there are various professional opinions that do not support the need for a Hi Mag Lens. Therefore, this requirement in the respective CLINS would also appear to be a de facto sole source which would require the same justification as noted above.
Salient Characteristic 3 states “Must have a minimum working distance of 400mm. The purpose of this salient characteristic is to maximize the wide-angle view of the eye and retinal surface. A reduced working distance minimizes the usefulness of indirect ophthalmoscopy. Therefore, a higher number is better. A High Mag Lens reduces the working distance to nearly 200mm which does not meet SC 3. Therefore, you are requiring an option in the respective CLINS that does not meet one of the Salient Characteristics.
Q.5 Will the VA eliminate the Hi Mag Lens requirement in CLIN 0001, CLIN 0004, and CLIN 0006? ANWER: No, the clinical Subject Matter Expert (SME) finds these to be important. Vendor should submit whatever solution they have available.
| *= Required Field |
| Amendment to a Previous Combined Solicitation |
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Amendment to a Previous Combined Solicitation
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