Pre Sol Notice 0408.docx

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT / PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE

Purchase or Lease of a Brand Name or Equal COPAN Walk-Away Specimen Processor (WASP) The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Regional Procurement Office West (RPOW), Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 5, Health Service Area (HSA) 52, Network Contracting Office (NCO) 21, on behalf of VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS), intends to issue a solicitation for the purchase or lease of a brand name or equal COPAN Walk-Away Specimen Processor (WASP) and associated accessories, software, installation, training, and service support. This notice is being posted for acquisition planning and to inform interested vendors of an upcoming requirement.

Microbiology Laboratory has a requirement for a walk-away automated specimen processing system that can standardize and improve microbiological specimen processing. The system is intended to increase efficiency, accuracy, and consistency, reduce turnaround times, and reduce repetitive manual handling. The desired system should automate specimen processing functions such as vortexing, inoculating, streaking, and Gram slide preparation, and should support integration with the laboratory information system (LIS).

The Government is seeking capability statements from all interested sources, including small business concerns, that can provide the required equipment, training, and service that meets the salient characteristics identified below.

The essential, significant physical, functional, or performance characteristics of the requirement are:

· Automatically open and close specimen containers to reduce repetitive handling and repetitive motion stress for laboratory staff.

· Provide walk-away, on-demand automated specimen processing without requiring batching of specimens.

· Automate vortexing, inoculating, and streaking of a variety of specimen types.

· Use calibrated, standardized streaking patterns to improve consistency and repeatability of microbiological culture processing.

· Prepare Gram slides automatically.

· Apply clear, permanent identification directly to slides to reduce the risk of patient identification errors.

· Support LIS connectivity for automated labeling of plates, tubes, and slides.

· Improve laboratory workflow efficiency, specimen processing accuracy, and turnaround time.

· Support recovery of fastidious organisms by allowing specimens to be processed immediately upon receipt.

· Reduce the need for disposable loop consumption through the use of reusable metal loops or an equivalent method that achieves similar cost and performance benefits.

· Include installation, start-up, training, and service support sufficient to place the system in operational use.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing. The Product Service Code (PSC) is 6630, Chemical Analysis Instruments.

No set-aside determination has been made at this time. The Government is seeking information to support acquisition planning and any applicable socioeconomic determination.

One or more of the items under this acquisition is subject to the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement and Free Trade Agreements.

The Government anticipates issuing the solicitation on or about 9/15/2026. The solicitation will be available for download from https://sam.gov/content/opportunities. Interested vendors are responsible for monitoring that site for the solicitation and any amendments.

Interested firms should submit a capability statement demonstrating their ability to meet the requirement. Responses should be concise and should, at a minimum, include:

· Company name.

· UEI and CAGE code.

· Point of contact name, title, email address, and phone number.

· Business size under NAICS 334516.

· Socioeconomic status, if any.

· Country of Origin of the proposed equipment.

· Whether the firm can provide the required system on a purchase or lease basis with estimated difference.

· Any product literature or technical documentation showing how the offered system meets the salient characteristics.

· Available contract vehicle information, if applicable.

· Additionally are there any suggestions, comments, or information related to customary commercial practices necessary for Contractors to provide fair and reasonable pricing.

Responses shall be submitted by 8/21/2026 via email to derek.brown7@va.gov. The subject line should include: PRE-SOL RESPONSE – 36C26126Q1095 - WALK-AWAY SPECIMEN PROCESSOR.

This notice is for informational and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the Government. The Government will not pay for any information submitted in response to this notice. Responses will be considered by the Government; however, a determination by the Government not to complete the proposed acquisition based upon responses of this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

Brand Name or Equal