36E77618Q0024-003.pdf

Chapter VI: Other Than Full and Open Competition (OFOC) SOP Attachment 3: Request for Sole Source Justification Format >$150K

OFOC SOP Revision 05 Page 1 of 11 Original Date: 03/22/11 Revision 05 Date: 05/02/2016

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification and Approval (J&A) For

Other Than Full and Open Competition (>$150K)

Acquisition Plan Action ID: VA701-18-AP-0029

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 20, VA Puget Sound Healthcare System

(VAPSHCS).

2. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Processed: Justification and Approval (J&A) for the

“Brand name” selection of the items listed in Table 1 below. This action will be awarded as a new Firm-Fixed-Price contract with an estimated value of . These brand name items are a component of a larger procurement package for laboratory equipment. The requested contract covers goods & services to supply the Government with the above listed systems with options that enables biomedical research capabilities. These Thermo Fisher Scientific models have been used and validated for protocol compliance. Rigorous protocol compliance and its associated instrumentation, equipment characteristics and dimensions are required to establish an essential research capacity that, in part, fulfills the VAPSHCS VISN20 MIRECC’s Congressionally-mandated investigation of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its comorbidities which includes, but is not limited to, traumatic brain injury (TBI). Estimated award date: February 2018.

Table 1: Thermo Fisher Scientific Brand Name Items

Item Description Qty Price/Unit Total Price

1 TSX60086A ULT FZ TSX60086A 115V/50-60HZ 13

2 1950520 SIDE RACK 25-2 BX 4 DOOR 234

3 13 998 123 FORMA SERIES 3 WJ CO2 W TC 12 4

4 13 998 215 HERA 160I CO2 CU 1-21 TC 120V 1

5 13 998 216 HERA 160I CO2 CU 5-90 TC 120V 1 $

6 13 998 147 STAND WITH CASTORS FOR 160L C 1

7 STACKING ADAPTOR FOR TWO 165ML (50148171) 1 $

8 11 676 071 MAXQ 4450 DIGITAL PROMO PKG 1

9 AMAFD2000 EVOS FL AUTO 2 Imaging System 2

10 12 563 550 EVOS ON STAGE INCUBATOR 2 $

11 12 563 536 OBJ: 10X PLAN LWD FL/PH 0.25NA 2

12 12 563 537 OBJ: 20X PLAN LWD FL/PH 0.40NA 2 $

13 12 563 467 OBJECTIVE: 40X FL PLAN/0.65NA 2 $

14 12 563 468 OBJECTIVE: 60X FL PLAN/0.75NA 2 $

OFOC SOP Revision 05 Page 2 of 11

Revision 05 Date: 05/02/2016

15 12 563 469 DAPI FLUORESCENT LIGHT CUBE 2 $

16 12 563 470 GFP FLUORESCENT LIGHT CUBE 2 $

17 12 563 474 TX RED FLUORESCENT LIGHT CUBE 2 $

18 AMQAF1000 COUNTESS II FL 1 $ .00

19 A25750 COUNTESS II FL REUSABLE SLIDE 1

20 R10477 MOLECULAR PRO CELL IMAGING KIT 2 $

Grand total: based on GSA contract ] pricing via Fisher Scientific Company LLC

3. Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency’s Needs: The VISN 20 VAPSHCS

MIRECC requires the following pieces of equipment that are defined by their key required “Salient characteristics” that are listed as associated bullet points:

a. Evos FL Auto Microscope / Imaging system: CLINs 9-20

• The Government requires expanded imaging capability to serve 3 physically separated and functionally distinct tissue culture rooms (which prevent the import / export of outside materials) to perform live cell fluorescence imaging of primary nervous cells, immortalized mammalian cells, c. elegans, stem cells (iPSC, etc.) and tissue.

• The Government requires compact fluorescence microscopes with the capability to perform automated time-lapse imaging under incubator conditions of gas and temperature maintenance capable of being sustained inside of a biosafety cabinet.

• This compact automated fluorescence microscope shall be able to perform time-lapse imaging with the added benefit of 3-gas environmental control and the potential to fit inside of a biosafety cabinet. Thermo Fisher’s EVOS FL Auto Cell Imaging System is the only system capable of meeting this requirement.

• The EVOS FL Auto includes the required compact integrated unit with microscope, digital camera, computer, and high-power LED fluorescence illumination. It can be operated in any location, due to its provided light-shielding. This is critical because our lab space does not allow the set-up of a dedicated dark room that would be required to operate almost all other fluorescence microscopes.

• The LED “light cubes” for the microscope are interchangeable with the Countess II FL cell counter, which we are also planning to purchase. Being able to exchange the light cubes between the two instruments will save the lab $6,000.

• We’re also planning to purchase the EVOS onstage incubator, which will allow automated control of gas exchange for studies of hypoxia, exposure to ozone, biomolecules, and other harmful volatilized substances. The three-line gas control of the onstage incubator, integrated with the time-lapse software, provides the unique ability to study live cells under highly

OFOC SOP Revision 05 Page 3 of 11

Revision 05 Date: 05/02/2016 controlled atmospheric conditions that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with conventional live-cell imaging microscopes.

• The EVOS FL Auto environmental chamber has a much smaller volume than any other on the market and moves with the stage top. Access to the chamber is provided with a simple lid that’s held in place with magnets, allowing the user to quickly open the chamber, switch out live cell plates, and close it while retaining most of the atmospheric environment.

• The EVOS FL Auto environmental chamber volume can be switched to fully hypoxic conditions in less than two minutes. Other competing systems use a large clamshell chamber that opens completely, which immediately loses all the atmospheric conditions inside the chamber. Re-establishing the atmospheric conditions with these clamshell chambers takes much longer.

• In terms of utility and convenience, the EVOS FL Auto environmental chamber is much better suited for studies involving critical atmospheric manipulations, and the extra gas line is essential for flexibility in providing different atmospheres compared to the standard two lines (O2 and

CO2) commonly used for mammalian cells. For these reasons, we require the unique capabilities of the EVOS FL Auto microscope.

b. Thermo Scientific Forma Series 3 Water Jacketed CO2 Incubator is required to meet the following user defined criteria: CLIN 3

• The incubator chamber must be constructed entirely of polished, corrosion resistant stainless steel with coved corners to simplify cleaning and decontamination practices to minimize the potential for unwanted contamination.

• Needs to have triple wall water jacket construction which surrounds sides, back, top, and bottom of chamber with thermally conditioned water to provide superior temperature stability, particularly during power outages or failures

• Interior chamber capacity of 6.5 cu. ft. (184 liters).

• Footprint of 26”W x 25” D

• Incubator stainless steel shelving and supports which can be readily assembled and removed without use of tools, to facilitate cleaning or adjustment

• An in-chamber HEPA filtered airflow system within the culture environment to continuously filter the entire chamber air volume every 60 seconds to insure continuous protection against unwanted microbial contaminants which could enter upon routine door openings, minimizing the associated risk of product loss or inconvenient downtime

• Superior Class 100 cleanroom air quality achieved within the culture chamber in under 5 minutes following a typical door closing to prevent the opportunity for invading contaminants to settle on interior surfaces where they can pose a threat to valuable cultures.

• The incubators on-board contamination control technologies have been validated by independent third party testing facilities.

• A filtered air exchange system within the incubator that minimizes the risk of condensation, a common breeding ground for contamination within a humid culture environment

• A heated dual inner glass door design to facilitate quick recovery to desired set temperature following door openings while minimizing resultant condensation.

• High quality microbiological filters on all gas inlets, outlets and sample ports, to eliminate the potential of contamination into the chamber from these entry points.

OFOC SOP Revision 05 Page 4 of 11

Revision 05 Date: 05/02/2016

• Capable of being supplied with a choice of either highly stable and long lasting TC gas sensor or enhanced sensitivity IR sensors.

• Unit needs to have touch screen user interface to simplifying daily operation for researchers with improved access to incubator functions and information to include specific performance or operational data, data and error logging, on-screen operational prompts, user specific electronic security.

• Control and measurement probes and sensors located directly inside the culture chamber to provide true and accurate process data and foster faster parameter recovery times than possible with remotely located sensors outside the chamber.

• Incubator provides field reversible inner and outer doors.

• Units are readily stackable.

• Incubator is equipped with programmable tracking alarms for critical temperature and CO2 control parameters that can be custom configured to meet the needs of changing research requirements

• Incubator is UL listed. CSA certified, and CE marked.

• A relative humidity monitoring system and display with an alarm function that alerts to the need to add humidification water supply to the incubator

• An 8-segment inner glass door to allow selective access to culture samples while restricting the exposed area, thus reducing parameter recovery time and minimizing access to potential airborne contaminants.

• A tri-gas configuration with a control range of 1-20% O2, to enable hypoxic experimentation, with independent oxygen measuring sensors and control/display.

c. HERACELL VIOS 160i CO2 INCUBATOR TRI-GAS are required to meet the following user defined needs: CLINs: 4-7

• Reliable, clean and easy-to-use in vitro environment with both event based and continuous contamination control solutions for optimized growth and security.

• Approximate 5.8 cu ft (165 L) chamber

• Interior components constructed of electropolished stainless steel or 100% solid copper, with rounded corners, to minimize potential for unwanted contamination and simplify cleaning.

• Stackable cabinet design

• Small relative footprint not to exceed 26” width, 36” height or 32” depth and reversible door swing.

• Modular shelving and supports that can be readily assembled and removed without use of tools, to facilitate simplicity of cleaning or adjustment.

• Direct air jacketed heating design featuring high quality thermal jacket insulation and fan assisted circulation, allowing recovery under 10 minutes of all parameters (temperature, CO2, and relative humidity) following a 30 second door opening.

• Integrated humidification design, a water reservoir that is in direct contact with a heated surface to maximize humidification efficiency as opposed to removable water pans which impede heat transfer.

• Covered humidity reservoir design to keep contaminants from breeding in the water.

• Water level sensor and alarm to alert user when humidification water refill is required. Water level is monitored and displayed on the touch screen at all times with advanced notice of refill needed.

OFOC SOP Revision 05 Page 5 of 11

Revision 05 Date: 05/02/2016

• Humidity reservoir may be filled without the removal of shelves or cultures and easily drained through built-in copper drain.

• CO2 and optional N2/O2 gases are pre-humidified before entering the chamber to provide a more constant, uniform environment.

• All control and measurement probes and sensors are located inside the culture chamber to provide true and accurate values and foster faster parameter recovery times than is possible with sensors remotely located outside the chamber.

• Independent over-temperature protection function with independent back-up temperature sensor, to protect valuable cultures from potential damage in the event of an unexpected failure in the primary temperature control system.

• Availability of either humidity compensated thermal conductivity (TC) or bulbless IR CO2 gas sensor technology.

• An in-chamber HEPA filtered airflow system within the culture environment continuously filters the entire chamber air volume every 60 seconds for continuous protection against unwanted microbial contaminants.

• ISO 5 clean room air quality achieved within the culture chamber within 5 minutes following a 30 second door opening, minimizing the opportunity for contaminants to settle on interior surfaces.

• Touch screen user interface

• On-board graphics capability, via the controller, enabling users to obtain historical performance by parameter or specified time periods to allow greater understanding of culture growth dynamics and usage patterns, enhancing research results.

• Interface logs and displays all user interactions with the incubator (e.g. door openings, parameter changes) facilitating the identification of important changes in the culture environment.

• Automated overnight (under 12 hours) high temperature sterilization cycle that ensures full chamber sterilization and meets the 12D true standard of sterilization.

• A fully automatic AutoStart routine to reliably calibrate and verify proper operation of all electronic measuring within hours to simplify incubator set-up and speed the availability for culturing use.

• High quality microbiological filters on all gas inlets, outlets and sample ports, to eliminate the potential of contamination entering the chamber from these points.

• The incubator includes a standard USB port with software for data downloading and reporting in Windows Excel format.

• 4-20mA signal output for interfacing with external data collection systems.

• Control of O2 concentration in a range of 1-21% or 5-90% utilizing a zirconium oxide sensor requiring no electrolyte refill or membrane replacement ensuring long term stability at varied O2 concentrations.

• A 3-door gas tight inner glass door assembly with each door panel individually gasketed, to allow selective access to incubator shelves, without opening the entire chamber, limiting disturbance to the controlled environment, and enabling rapid recovery times for incubation parameters following door openings.

• Incubator is CSA certified and CE marked, demonstrating that stringent testing procedures have been undertaken by independent agencies to provide the customer’s best assurance of unquestioned quality and suitability for function.

OFOC SOP Revision 05 Page 6 of 11

Revision 05 Date: 05/02/2016

d. Thermo Scientific MaxQ 4450 (SHKE4450) Small Digital Incubated Bench Top Shaker are required to meet the following user defined needs: CLIN: 8

• A temperature range of 5C above ambient to 80C with a control of plus/minus 0.1C at 37C (in flask) over complete temperature range, uniformity of plus/minus 0.5C at 37C (in flask).

• The temperature indicator is a digital LED electronic display with 0.1C increments with ½” character height and has a PID microprocessor control.

• The unit must have a secondary back-up independent thermostat for heating if the main controller fails.

• Audible and visual temperature alarm signals will alert the user to temperature deviations and the heat should turn off if the temperature deviates over/under 1C of set point.

• Shaking speed range of 15 to 500 RPM with a control of plus/minus 1 RPM and display the speed with a LED display of RPM.

• The shaker will stop rotating and provide audible/visual alarm signals if unit operates over/under 10% of set speed preventing shaker from walking off bench.

• The shaker will have a user adjustable speed calibration that can be performed using a digital hand held tachometer where verification is required and protocols can be standardized.

• An unbalanced load sensor should stop the platform motion when excess vibration is detected due to an unbalanced load.

• The unit will have a RS232 interface for remote monitoring of speed, time and temperature.

• The shaker will have a built-in recorder jack to monitor temperature via a chart recorder for a permanent record.

• The shaker will rotate in an orbital fashion with a circular orbit diameter of 3/4” (1.9cm).

• The shaking incubator will have a timer from 0.1 hour up to 999 hours or 0.1 minute up to 999 minutes or continuous operation.

• The time indicator is a digital LED electronic display that displays time in 0.1 hours or 0.1 minutes with ½” character height.

• The unit will have a safety interlock that will stop the platform rotation when the lid is ajar but the blower and heat remain on to maintain temperature.

• Temperature and speed set points are retained by non-volatile memory and will automatically restart after power has been restored.

• The shaker will have a soft start feature that contains software algorithms to prevent sudden starts and stops.

• The unit is designed to operate in a 0C to 40C and 20% to 80% non-condensing humidity environment.

• Further user needs are driven by the following physical specifications:

• The unit will have a triple eccentric steel drive shaft and can hold a load capacity of 35 lbs.

(15.9kg). The unit will use a solid-state DC brushless motor.

• The incubated shaker will have a 11” x 13” universal platform and accommodate any combination of flask holders and tube racks.

• The platform and flask clamps should be constructed out of stainless steel.

• Unit should have a polycarbonate lid with complete view of cultures through the top, front and sides of the shaker and be able to withstand temperatures up to 80C.

• The shaker exterior is constructed of cold-rolled, powder coated steel and has exterior dimensions of 27.2” Lx14.1” Wx15.8”H (69.1 x 35.8 x 40.1cm) and interior/chamber dimensions of 17.3” Lx13.3” Wx9.0”H (43.9 x 33.8 x 22.9cm).

OFOC SOP Revision 05 Page 7 of 11

Revision 05 Date: 05/02/2016

• An ABS control housing surrounds a polyester control panel. The shaker has a shipping weight of 77 lbs. (35kg).

e. Thermo Scientific TSX Series ULT freezer with racks are required to meet the following user defined needs: CLINs: 1 & 2

• The freezer must be constructed using 1” thick vacuum panel insulation in conjunction with environmentally-friendly water blown foam

• Door Gasket must provide 7 independent insulation zones along with 4 points of contact to ensure sample security.

• Freezer shall be painted with high-impact, scratch resistant powder coat finished interior and exterior to ensure long term viability and maximum interior temperature uniformity.

• The perimeter heater to reduce condensation shall be on the door side not on the cabinet size to limit heat introduction into the sample storage area.

• The thermal break shall be made of plastic to limit heat leakage into the cabinet

• Door latch allows one-handed opening and closing. Handle must include door key lock as well as padlock provision for added security.

• Freezer shall have 4 or 5 internal storage compartments with a minimum of 2 polystyrene insulated inner doors to ensure sample security. Inner doors should have no latches or external magnets and must be removable for easy cleaning without the use of tools.

• Freezer shall have an automatic heated pressure equalization port allows rapid re-entry to cabinet.

• Freezer shall have two, 1 inch access ports

• Freezer shall have a RS485 output, Dry Contacts and 4-20mA output for remote monitoring purposes

• Freezer the door must open at least 180 degrees for easy sample access.

• Freezer shall hold 600 2” boxes or 60,000 2ml Vials with a vial to footprint ration of 4,272 2m vials per square foot of floor space.

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition: FAR13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items: This acquisition is being conducted under FAR 13 – Simplified Acquisition Procedures. The authority for restricting competition under simplified acquisition procedures is 41 U.S.C. 1901, as implemented by FAR 13.5.

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 Government must establish or maintain an essential capability for theoretical analyses, exploratory studies, and experiments in research of PTSD and or TBI at the VISN20 MIRECC, as mandated by Congress. This capacity must be consistent with the department’s existing research development of various clinical, preclinical and molecular biological research protocols while leveraging equipment modernization. This request is for “Brand-name” procurement. Only the items listed above satisfy the Government’s requirements as listed under the “salient characteristics” listed in Section 3 above, meet the performance history and standards of the research unit and are consistent with brands used to establish the research program.

OFOC SOP Revision 05 Page 8 of 11

Revision 05 Date: 05/02/2016

The VA Northwest Network (VISN-20) Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC). The MIRECC is a neuroscience research facility with a Congressionally-mandated focus in military posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its complex comorbidities. Among the comorbidities included are repetitive blast concussion mild traumatic brain injury (the “signature injury” of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq), alcohol misuse, and chronic post concussive symptoms.

The Seattle MIRECC has particular strength in blast concussion mTBI and its sequelae – both in the short term (e.g., chronic post concussive migraines, irritability and anger dyscontrol) and long-term (potential neurodegeneration and dementia). This research program comprises 24 VAPSHCS Investigators, 30 funded research projects (3 of which are DoD grants), and is intimately partnered with local and national DoD, VA, and academic affiliates. In conjunction with the VA GRECC here at VA Puget Sound and with the Neuropathology Division of the Dept. of Pathology at the University of Washington (among a number of UW departments), we have a very robust research program in living Veterans with mild TBI, a corresponding clinically-relevant translational animal research program, an innovative and successful program to obtain autopsy brain tissue from active duty service members and Veterans with TBI. These research foci are of high value to VHA (as well as DoD).

The Northwest MIRECC applies modern genetic, neurobiological and clinical trial methodology to the discovery and development of new and more effective treatments for major and often treatment resistant mental disorders afflicting Veterans and the active duty combat personnel who will become Veterans. Pertinent to this request, these equipment items include, but are not limited to ultra-low temperature freezers for biological sample and reagent storage, tissue culture incubators, orbital shakers, various high speed and low speed centrifuges with a variety of rotors and adaptors to fit dynamic research needs, and live cell-culture compatible fluorescence imaging system packages.

The Northwest MIRECC ‘s existing Standard Operating Procedures are based on the performance characteristics of the listed Fisher Scientific equipment. Acquisition of dissimilar items would require extensive revalidation and protocol refinement, jeopardize budget and project milestone timelines.

The Government has spent 5-20 years (depending on the exact project) working up exacting protocols and methodologies which have cost hundreds of thousands to millions in development and validation. The Government estimates it would cost up to $400,000 in man-hours to revalidate equipment alone. In addition, some experiments would need to be run over again. Samples would have to be regenerated or purchased depending on the case. In some situations the samples cannot be rederived or replaced because the samples were unique and consumed. The Government estimates it would take one year to revalidate existing protocols and methodologies using dissimilar equipment. This could negatively impact MIRECC’s ability to compete for grants and could cost an additional $3.5 million in lost funding opportunities. Additionally, the estimated one year delay and potential for lost funding could reduce the capacity for the Government to make timely transitional research insights impacting clinical care of traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder and broader Veteran mental health care delivery. However, it is difficult to know or quantify in advance as some aspects of this work are immediately impactful on healthcare and other aspects take 20 years.

To accomplish the Government’s goals, the Government elects a brand name justification of the above listed items. The above listed items accomplish the Government’s performance requirements. By extension, other methodologies are as yet unproven, would require substantial

OFOC SOP Revision 05 Page 9 of 11

Revision 05 Date: 05/02/2016 duplication of cost to vet feasibility and adaptability and would contribute unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency’s immediate requirements.

6. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable: This J&A is for Fisher Scientific Brand Name items. These items are available from multiple sources (see section 8 below) including several Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses. To align with VA’s small business contracting goals, the resulting solicitation will be a 100% set-aside for SDVOSB firms.

7. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: The Contracting Officer will compare the proposed price submitted by the offeror to the IGE. In addition, the Contracting Officer compared the IGE to the items pricing on the GSA schedule. It is anticipated that the items quoted should be the same or less than those prices on the GSA schedule.

8. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons

Market Research Was Not Conducted: In accordance with FAR Part 10, market research has been conducted for this acquisition. The following techniques were used:

Medical Surgical Prime Vendor (MSPV) Contracts: A search was conducted on the National

Acquisition Center’s MedSurg Catalog search located at http://www.va.gov/nac/MedSurg/List for a list of nationally awarded contractors and/or prime vendor contracts. The MSPV for Seattle is

Cardinal Health. A search using Cardinal Health as the Contractor and does not provide these items on their MSPV contract.

GSA eLibrary: https://www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov/ElibMain/home.do. A search for “GS-07F-161BA” was conducted. This search produced 1 result. This result is the manufacturer, a Large Business and has been referenced in the Market Research Findings section below. Additionally, searching “fisher scientific” as the manufacturer, 1 other result (Franklin Young International) has a GSA schedule and is a verified SDVOSB. This vendor has been referenced in the Market Research Findings section below. However, at this time GSA is not an appropriate source as there are not 2 or more SDVOSBs on GSA.

SDVOSB/VOSB Sources via VetBiz (VIP): In Accordance with VAAR Subpart 819.7004, 819.7005,

819.7006 - https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov/. A search on Vetbiz.gov was conducted in an attempt to locate Service-Disabled-Veteran-Owned-Small-Business (SDVOSB) and Veteran-Owned-Small-

Business (VOSB) concerns utilizing NAICS code 334516 (this search provided 60 results for SDVOSB and 71 results for VOSB (57 verified)). From these results, all vendors were contacted via email

(Attachments VIP Email). Several vendors (SDVOSB) and responded as being able to meet the specifications of the requirement. These SDVOSBs and have been referenced in the Market Research

Findings section below.

Solutions for Enterprise-Wise Procurement (SEWP): https://www.sewp.nasa.gov/. A search was conducted for “Fisher Scientific” as a provider. The search produced 0 results. The conclusion of this http://www.va.gov/nac/MedSurg/List https://www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov/ElibMain/home.do https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov/ https://www.sewp.nasa.gov/

OFOC SOP Revision 05 Page 10 of 11

Revision 05 Date: 05/02/2016 search effort is that SEWP does not have the provider and is not a source for acquiring the lab equipment at this time. (Attachment – SEWP MR)

Small Business Administration (SBA) – Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS):

http://dsbs.sba.gov/dsbs/search/dsp_dsbs.cfm. SBA DSBS market research was conducted utilizing

NAICS code 334516 and the keywords “fisher scientific”. The search produced 4 results. From these results, all vendors were contacted via email (Attachment SBA Email). 0 vendors responded as being able to meet the specifications of the requirement.

Table 2: Summary of Available Sources

Vendor DUNS Socioeconomic

Category Authorized

Franklin Young International, Inc. 113785385 SDVOSB Yes

Bennettsan Consulting LLC 078305080 SDVOSB Yes

Stripes Medical, LLC 080204009 SDVOSB Yes

The McConnell Group, Inc. 008995003 SDVOSB Yes

Veteran Healthcare Supply Solutions, Inc. 964899483 SDVOSB Yes

Cuna Supply LLC 608640517 SDVOSB Yes

Aviate Enterprises Inc 079613350 SDVOSB Yes

Thermo Fisher Scientific LLC 179755479 Other than Small OEM

9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: This requirement for the brand name items listed above satisfy the Government’s requirements as listed under the “salient characteristics” listed in Section 3 above, meet the performance history and standards of the research unit and are consistent with brands used to establish the research program. Acquisition of dissimilar items would require extensive revalidation and protocol refinement, jeopardize budget and project milestone timelines and reduce the capacity for the department to make timely translational research insights impacting clinical care of traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder and broader Veteran mental health care delivery.

10. Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: See Table 2 in Section 8 above.

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: No further actions are planned for future acquisitions of this nature. The current approval is sought for a single requirement / fulfillment that is associated with building activation.

http://dsbs.sba.gov/dsbs/search/dsp_dsbs.cfm

OFOC SOP Revision 05 Page 11 of 11

Revision 05 Date: 05/02/2016

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.

James Meabon, PhD Date R&D 663 VA Puget Sound Health Care System

Approvals in accordance with the VHAPM, Volume 6, Chapter VI: 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.

Sandra Johnson Date Contracting Officer Program Contracting Activity - Central

b. One Level Above the CO /Designee (Required over$150K but not exceeding $700K): I certify the justification meets requirements for other than full and open competition.

Grace Kelly-Burnsworth Date Supervisory Contracting Officer Program Contracting Activity - Central file:///C:/Users/VHACLEJohnS4/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/PMWeb/Vol6Chapter6.aspx