Agilent SSJ MPT to SAT CO Signed.pdf

VHAPG Part 813.106 Simplified Acquisition Procedures: Soliciting from a Single Source Attachment 1: Single Source Justification for SAP under the SAT

Revision: 01 Effective Date: 11/15/2024 Page 1 of 2 Acquisition ID#:

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification for Single Source Awards IAW FAR 13.106-1 For

Over Micro-Purchase Threshold but Not Exceeding the SAT ($250K)

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C241-25-AP-1909

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 01, Network Consolidated Laboratory

2. Brief Description of Supplies/ Services required and the intended use/Estimated Amount:

This request is for a 2 year BPA cost per slide agreement with Agilent Technologies for the Artisan Link Pro Special Stains system and the special stains used with this system are for both Boston and West Haven. The manufacturer, Agilent Technologies, is the only source that can meet the needs of the government pathology labs at both West Roxbury and West Haven. Agilent supply their own stains due to their patented reagent cartridges that provide precision dispensing of reagents for optimal staining quality. Their track record over the past several years with West Roxbury has been indicative of the quality, reliability and efficiency produced by the Artisan Staining System.

The reagents supplied utilize self contained, prediluted and prepackaged antibodies that are optimized to react with patient tissue and provide staining that is consistent from day to day. It is this prepackaging and the quality of their reagents and antibodies that allow for the interaction with the patient tissue that is on the slide to consistently stain the patient sample. This staining and color reaction that allows the Pathologist to interpret a patient’s disease state and help dictate the appropriate treatment by the clinician. There are numerous reagents and antibodies that are utilized in anatomic pathology. Often times it is combinations of these reactions that are needed to confirm a disease state. The SOW lists the various stains and reagents needed for this procurement.

3. Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one source, with the reason no other supplies or services can be used:

Agilent offers special stains ranging from Acid-Fast Bacteria stain kit to Warthin-Starry Stain Kit.

Their stainer is a fully automated system that performs some unique staining not available on other automated systems. Agilent is the sole source for the Artisan special stain kits to test patient specimens for the presence of specific substances or organisms. These stains aid the Pathologist in determining infectious organisms or other disease states that are present in a patient specimen. This is also the only system that offered both the 50 and 100 kit sizes allowing for the minimal waste of reagents for lower volume special stains.

The use of these validated protocols and ready-to-use quality reagents simplify procedures and improve efficiency and accuracy and provide highly consistent quality results. There are 30 standard protocols and additionally the system allows customization. Walkaway automation and unrivaled flexibility save valuable technician time while meeting unique, daily processing demands. The

VHAPG Part 813.106 Simplified Acquisition Procedures: Soliciting from a Single Source Attachment 1: Single Source Justification for SAP under the SAT

Revision: 01 Effective Date: 11/15/2024 Page 2 of 2 Acquisition ID#:

automated Special Stains with the Artisan Pro Link allows reallocation of labor to other areas of the laboratory and simplifies and standardizes protocols. It increases throughput and minimizes reruns.

As a safety factor it reduces staff exposure to toxic reagents with onboard mixing and dispensing and providing automatic waste segregation of solvents, acids, hazardous chemicals from aqueous wastes.

The manufacturer, Agilent Technologies, is the only source than can meet the needs of the government pathology labs at both West Roxbury and West Haven. Agilent must supply their own stains due to their patented reagent cartridges that provide precision dispensing of reagents for optimal staining quality. The Artisan Staining system has been used in the Pathology Dept. at the West Roxbury and West Haven labs for many years and has proven to be reliable and produce good quality slides for diagnosis and treatment of the veterans. It utilizes user friendly software and instrument hardware requiring infrequent service calls and downtime. The cost per slide will be based on the aggregate volume of slides from both sites giving the government better pricing.

4. Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted:

Market research consisted of looking on GSA, FPDS, SBA and Google to see if there were any similar or the same benchtop special stainers and reagents available for use on the current Artisan Pro Link instruments in place. No other stainers or reagents would work with the proprietary instruments in place. Currently no other vendor is capable of offering a benchtop special stainer that provides the high quality fully automated multi-stain (including silver stains) and multi-temp special staining in single run capabilities that the Artisan Pro Link instruments do.

5. Contracting Officer's Certification: Purchase is approved in accordance with FAR13.106-1(b). I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Sheryl Anthony Date Contracting Officer

SHERYL ANTHONY Digitally signed by SHERYL ANTHONY Date: 2025.03.06 07:34:58 -05'00'