36C26226Q0264.docx

Special Notice Special Notice

GENERAL INFORMATION

Network Contracting Office 22 4811 Airport Plaza Drive Suite 600 Long Beach CA 90815

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contract Specialist Samuel Han samuel.han@va.gov

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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DESCRIPTION

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office (NCO) 22, located at 4811 Airport Plaza Drive, Long Beach, CA 90815 is issuing this Notice of Intent (NOI) to inform industry contractors of the Government’s intent to execute a Sole Source Award under FAR Part 13 – Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), specifically FAR Subpart 13.5 – Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items.

The intended Contractor is BD Diagnostics located at 7 Loveton Circle – MC 646, Sparks, MD 21152.

The VA Loma Linda Healthcare System (VALLHS) requires a Mycobacteria testing system to be used for the incubation, identification, and susceptibilities testing for mycobacterium species in patient samples. This system must include instrumentation, software license, test kits, supplies/consumables, warranty, service/maintenance agreement, delivery, installation, and on-site training. This includes technical assistance available by telephone 24 hours per day, 7 days per week with a maximum call back response time of 1 hour at no additional charge, service agreement will cover 24 hours per day / 7 days per week, and preventative maintenance that will be performed as frequently as published in manufacturer’s operator’s manual and within 2 weeks of the scheduled due date.

BD Diagnostics offers the BD BACTEC MGIT 960 instrument with MGIT Growth Indicator tubes and MGIT Growth Supplement for incubation and rapid growth of mycobacteria. The BD BACTEC MGIT is an automated system used for mycobacterial liquid culture and susceptibility testing. It is designed to detect mycobacterial growth quickly and accurately, often within 7 days, making it a valuable tool in diagnosing and treating mycobacterial infections, such as tuberculosis, for veteran patients. The system utilizes a Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT), which contains a fluorescent compound sensitive to oxygen consumption, allowing for real-time detection of mycobacterial growth. This automated approach minimizes human error and enhances reproducibility, streamlining the workflow in clinical laboratories.

The basis for the intent to sole-source is the BACTEC MGIT system from, with the use of MGIT, is the only system in the market that allows for incubation of mycobacterium species. It can be used to identify the species of the mycobacterium as well as perform susceptibilities. Other systems in the market can detect a specific species and specific sensitivity and cannot be used for mycobacterium incubation.

This procurement is being conducted using commercial item procedures pursuant to FAR Part 12 and FAR Part 13, specifically FAR Subpart13.106-1(b)(1)(i) allowing the Contracting Officer (CO) to solicit from one source.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for this requirement is, 325413 – In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing. Product of Service Code for this requirement is 6550 – In Vitro Diagnostic Substances, Reagents, Test Kits and Sets. The Small Business Administration (SBA) size standard for this sector is 1,250 Employees.

This notice of intent is neither a formal solicitation nor a request for competitive proposals. No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be honored. No award will be made on the basis of unsolicited quotations or offers received in response to this notice. Any response to this notice must show clear, compelling and convincing evidence that competition will be advantageous to the Government. The intent of this synopsis is for informational purposes only. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete this action based on this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

All inquiries and concerns must be addressed in writing via e-mail to Samuel Han at Samuel.Han@va.gov with the following information referenced in the subject line, 36C26226Q0264 – MGIT. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed procurement based on the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. All interested parties who are responsible, certified, and capable may identify their interest and may submit capability statement which shall be considered by the agency no later than 11:00 AM Pacific Standard Time (PST) on January 19, 2026 to Samuel Han at Samuel.Han@va.gov. The interested parties bear full responsibility to ensure complete transmission and timely receipt.

SDVOSB/VOSB respondents.

If respondent is an SDVOSB or VOSB, respondent is encouraged to provide proof of Veteran Small Business Certification (sba.gov) certification. In addition, SDVOSB/VOSB Contractors are asked to acknowledge that they understand the limitations on sub-contracting pursuant to FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Sub-Contracting, which will be included in the impending solicitation. In addition, the nonmanufacturer rule applies to this requirement. Further SDVOSB/VOSB contractors are asked to respond that they are capable of providing the requested services keeping within the parameters of this clause.

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Small Business Emerging Small Business Small Disadvantaged Business Certified under Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act HubZone Woman Owned Certified Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (registered in VetBiz.gov) Veteran Owned Small Business (registered in VetBiz.gov)

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Special Notice