36C26118Q9179-003.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification and Approval (J&A) For

Other Than Full and Open Competition (>$150K) Brand Name Only Justification

Acquisition Plan Action ID: VA261-18-AP-8683

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 21, Palo Alto Medical Center:

Network Contracting Officer (NCO 21), 38011 Miranda Ave., Bldg. T-50, Palo Alto, CA 94304.

2237: 640-18-3-522-0010

1 Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Processed: This procurement is for Tecniplast cages and related accessories in accordance with FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items and specifically FAR 13.501 Special Documentation Requirements, where acquisitions conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures are exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6, but still require a justification using the format of FAR 6.303-2. The Tecniplast cages and related accessories are for the new basic Science Research Building at the VA Palo Alto main campus. The anticipated contract will be a firm-fixed-price contract, and funded by Activations Major Projects Section, Office of Facility Planning and Development.

There is a fourteen (14) week lead time on the products, with a delivery after receipt of order one• -hundred twenty (120) calendar days, deliveiy is estimated to be completed no later than December 2018.

3„ Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency's Needs: The puipose of these products is to provide housing for the rodents and fish in the Vivarium. Below is a list of the items.

(98 each) 80-cage Racks for Mice Tecniplast IVC Sealsafe Plus Green Line DGM800XTI Single-sided rear plenum rack, with Edstrom Auto Watering System manifold LICITN001, and the following components:

• Polysulfone Cage Body with autowatering grommet (GM500SUED)

• Stainless Steel Wire Half Lid with integrated food hopper (GM500LID) O Polysulfone Sealsafe Plus Top with depression for use with Hydopac (large) .2 micron

Microbiological Filter and Filter Retainer (GM500TOPHYSULG)

• Polysulfone Sealsafe Plus Top with Bottle Depression, .2 micron Microbiological Filter and

Filter Retainer (GM500TOPSEALSU) (option top style — will not affect price)

• Polysulfone Sealsafe Plus Flat Top without Bottle Depression (GM500TOPSUFLAT)

(option top style— will not affect pffce)

• Polysulfone Water Bottle with Silicone Ring (340 ml) (ACBT03128U)

• Stainless Steel Bottle Cap with Green Seal (ACCP3421GM) O Green Plastic Universal card holder (ACPCP24GM)

(6 each) 70-Cage Racks for Mice Tecniplast IVC Green Line Sealsafe Plus DGM70QXTI Single-sided rear plenum rack, with Edstrom Auto Watering System manifold UIQTN001, and the following components:

* 70-cage racks have the same components as 80-cage racks, in smaller quantities proportional with 70 cages.

OFOC SOP Revision 08 Page 1 of 5 Original Date: 03/22/11 Revision 08 Date: 04/18/2018

(12 each) 28-cage Racks for Rats Tecniplast IVO Green Line Sealsafe Plus GR28QXTI Single-sided rear plenum rack, with Edstrom Auto Watering System manifold UQTN001, and the following components:

• Polysulfone Cage Body with autowatering grommet (GR900SUED) Stainless Steel Wire Lid (GR900LID) a Polysulfone Sea[safe Plus Top with Two Bottle Depressions, Microbiological Filter and Filter Retainer (GR900TOPSEALSU)

• Optional top styles may be selected for the same price: Hydropac GR900TOPPHYSULG and Flat GR900TOPSUFLAT

• Polysulfone Water Bottle with Silicone Ring (340 ml) (ACBT0312SU)

• Stainless Steel Bottle Cap with Green Seal (ACCP3421GM)

▪ Green Plastic Universal card holder (ACPCP24GM)

(42 each) Wall-mounted IVC Air Handling Units Tecniplast Skyflow 1VC Air Handling Units SKYW110 - to be wall-mounted above cage racks, and the following components:

a Controlled by Gateway ONE 2 ONE a Unit Filtration On-Bard for DGM Single-Sided Rack (DGMSPFBOX)

(6 each) Fish Racks Tecniplast ZebTEC ZB3060SAABSX4 Stand-alone Zebra Fish Racks with the following components:

• 3,5 Liter tanks with lids ZB3OTK / ZB3OLD

• 8 Liter tanks with lids Z1380TK / ZB8OLD a Baffle for adult fish (ZBUNBF)

• ZEBTECH SIPHON HOLE 2 mm COMPLETE (ZE3UNSPPL)

• Blue silicone spring (ZBUNSR)

• Baffle with fine net - 300 micron - Zebrafish tank (ZB300BF)

• Baffle with fine net - 800 micron - Zebrafish tank (ZB800BF)

• Yellow net, 100 micron mesh, 3,5 liter tank -(10 per pack) (ZB3ONET100Y) a Blue net, 100 micron mesh, 8 liter tank'- (5 per pack) (ZB8ONET100B)

• External breeding tank - solid bottom (PC) (ZB1OBTE)

Total estimated contratt pricing/la

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open 'Competition: .FARI35 Simplified:

Procedures for Certain Commercial Items The authority for applying the Simplified Procedures for Commercial .Items of FAR 13.5 is 41 U.S.C. 1901 and is implemented by for restricting competition on this procurement via FAR 13 .106-1(h)(2),

5. Demonstration that the Contractor's Unique Qualifications or Nature of. the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority),:. The Tecniplast brand is essential to the Government's requirement, thereby precluding consideration of a product manufactured by another company. Accordingly, Tecniplast -products are the only products capable of providing the supplies as described in Section III above without the Veteran's Health Administration experiencing substantial duplication of cost that could not be expected to be recovered though utilization of another manufacturer and unacceptable delays in fulfilling its requirement.

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Tecniplast cage racks as described above are Currently being used by the Vivarium in their existing facility. Some existing equipment is in .good condition and can be used in the new building. The brand and model of cage racks, caging, and accessories needs to be consistent throughout the facility to Maintain smooth cage change-out and cleaning operationS, Consistency for researchers: The number of variables affecting the animals needs to be kept to a minimum to Maintain the integrity of research experiments. Change in caging may introduce a new variable. .For example, a wall-attached air handling unit will not transmit any vibrations to the cages, while an air handling nriit attached to the rack may transmit vibrations to the animals, affecting their behavior and health.

Consistency in caging/rack systems:' Consistency in caging/rack systems within.the VAP.AFICS VMU is important to maintain efficient workflow. Changing cage systems requires re-training of VMU employees and time-consuming updates to current SOP's (Standard Operating Practices). Staff will require:as match as six months to work at full efficiency with minimal errors. A change in. rack and cage type increases th.e risk of operational moo &dog. the re-training period, putting animals'.

lives at risk.

6, Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable: 36C26118Q9197 was posted. to Federal Business Opportunities (F130) on June 7, 2018, to advise the community that the Government intended to limit the brand name to Tecniplast for the procurement of products to house rodents and fish in the Vivarium located at the new Basic Science Research Building. This notice yielded zero (0) responses from interested and capable manufacturers,

7. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable:

There are three (3) known Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) authorized distributors. This action will be competed on FBO as a SDVOSB set-aside. Pricing will be determined upon competition.

8. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted: Market research was conducted by the Contracting Officer and the technical experts that will be utilizing the system to determine if any other manufacturers could provide a similar product. There-were three (3) SDVOSB authorized distributors that can provide the requested items. They are:

The McConnell Group Nicole McConnell I Director of Operations 1901 Research Blvd. Suite 502, Rockville, MD 20850 Office: 301-309-8310 x 1744 I Direct: 301-795-4494 I Fax: 301-309-8314 Email: nnacconnell@themccgroup.corn I Web: Www.tbemccgroup.com

Bravo inc.

Stephen Berge, President 1811 SE 5th Ave, Cape Coral, FL 33990 www.bravomaterials.com stephenabravomaterials.com Phone 239-471-8127

OFOC SOP Revision 08 Page 3 of 5

Cuna Supply LLC

Mike Hagerty President

5455 Dashwood St, Suite 500, Bellaire TX 77401

NvWwxuntistippiVooni mi kellagertyacrinasupply,Crim Tel 713-349-9205

The Government has reviewed other competitive brands and have determined they do not meet the

Government's needs.

Based upon the above information as related to the competitor products, the Tecniplast cage rack system can meet the Government's need, The Government is currently using this system, and will it be moved to the new building once completed. The Tecniplast system has proven to be efficient and non-lethal lathe animals.

9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: Using a proprietary system prevents the Government from using outside competition.

.10. Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: To date, no other sources have written to express an interest in this Tecniplast cage and accessories requirement.

11. A Statement of the Actions, if any, the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome any Barriers to Competition before Making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required:

The contract action will be synopsized on FBO within 14 days of award. All acquisitions for this equipment and/or services will continue to be advertised by placing a Notice of Intent to Sole Source with synopsis of requirement on FBO. Until another manufacturer develops the technology to fulfill the requirements, sole source contracts for this equipment, maintenance and support services With awardee will be required. Market research can be conducted for subsequent procurements to determine if there are any changes in comparable technology by potential vendors.

12. Requirements Certification: I certify that the requirement outlined in this justification is a Bona Fide Need of the Department of Veterans Affairs and that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief

Jn 2‘ 20/e Date

Chief, Major Projects Section, Office of Facility P&D VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS)

13. Approvals in accordance with the VHAPM Pa rt 806.3 OFOC SOP:

a. Contracting Officer or Designee's Certification (required): I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

OFOC SOP Revision 08 Page 4 of 5

Mandy Thompson Date Contracting Officer Network Contracting Office (NCO 21).

One Level Above the Contracting Officer (Required over SAT but not exceeding $700K): I certify the justification meets requirements for other than fifil and open competition.

Date roo e obisoii — Director of Contracting (DOC) Network Contracting Office (NCO 21)

VHA SAO HCA Review and Approval: 1 have reviewed the foregoing justification and find it to be complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief and recommend approval (if over $68 million) or approve ($700K to 68 million) for other than full and open competition.

Curtis M. Jordan Acting Executive Director, SAO West Head of Contracting Activity

OFOC SOP Revision 08 Page 5 of 5

Original Date: 03/22/11

Date