JA OVER SAT - Individually Ventilated Cage system COLUMBIA 470K_Redacted.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- 36C24E26P0038_2
About this file
This is a Justification and Approval (J&A) document for a sole source procurement submitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (VHA), for the Harry S Truman VA Medical Center in Columbia, Missouri.
The contracting activity seeks to procure Individually Ventilated Cage (IVC) systems for rats and mice, along with associated housing equipment and accessories, from Allentown, LLC through the RPO-E research acquisition team. The total contract value is $470,515.00. Required equipment includes IVC systems (mouse 160-cage and rat 70-cage models), Euro-style rabbit housing units, blowers, ventilation supplies, cages, bottles, feeders, pans, resting boards, card holders, sentinel media kits, and installation services. The procurement qualifies as other than full and open competition under the sole source authority of 41 USC §3304(a)(1), as only Allentown can meet the government's requirements due to full system integration with existing Truman VA Research infrastructure and University of Missouri affiliate systems. Alternate manufacturers would be incompatible with existing blowers, ventilation units, racks, and cage components, necessitating widespread replacement, cost duplication, full revalidation of studies, SOP rewriting, staff retraining, and operational disruptions unacceptable to active VA animal research. Market research confirmed no other responsible sources exist capable of meeting the specialized requirements for individually ventilated mouse and Euro-style rabbit systems. Pricing has been evaluated as fair and reasonable based on the vendor's established commercial pricing and consistency with prior Allentown equipment purchases. An Intent to Sole Source notice was posted on SAM.gov in accordance with FAR procedures. The justification requires certification by the requirements owner, contracting officer, and one level above the contracting officer.
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| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| 36C24E26P0038_1.docx | DOCX document |
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Attachment 1: Request for Sole Source Justification Format >SAT
VHAPG Part 806.3 OFOC Page 2 of 4 Revision: 04 Effective Date: 12/15/25 Acquisition ID#:
4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition:
( x) (1) Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will
Satisfy Agency Requirements per 41 USC §3304(a)(1) as implemented by
RFO 6.103-1;
( ) (2) Unusual and Compelling Urgency per 41 USC §3304(a)(2) as implemented by RFO 6.103-2;
( ) (3) Industrial Mobilization, Engineering, Developmental or Research Capability or Expert Services per 41 USC §3304(a)(3) as implemented by RFO 6.103-3;
( ) (4) International Agreement per 41 USC §3304(a)(4) as implemented by RFO 6.103-4
( ) (5) Authorized or Required by Statute per 41 USC §3304(a)(5) as implemented by RFO 6.103-5;
( ) (6) National Security per 41 USC §3304(a)(6) as implemented by RFO 6.103-6;
( ) (7) Public Interest per 41 USC §3304(a)(7) as implemented by RFO 6.103-7;
5. Demonstration that the Contractor’s Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority):
Allentown is the only source capable of meeting VA’s requirements because its systems are already fully integrated into Truman VA Research and our University of Missouri affiliate. Any alternate manufacturer would be incompatible with existing blowers, ventilation units, racks, and cage components, requiring widespread replacement and creating unrecoverable duplication of cost. Using another brand would also trigger full revalidation, SOP rewriting, staff retraining, engineering reviews, and disruptions to ongoing studies—delays unacceptable to active VA animal research. Given the specialized nature of individually ventilated mouse and Euro-style rabbit systems, only Allentown can provide equipment that aligns with existing infrastructure without causing substantial cost duplication or operational interruption.
6. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as possible (including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by RFO Part 5 and, if not, which exception under RFO Part 5 applies): Market research was conducted and no other responsible sources were identified that can meet the Government’s specific veterinary research requirements. Based on these findings, the Government determined that the required equipment is available only from a single source. An Intent to Sole Source notice was posted on SAM.gov 36C24E26Q0089_1 in accordance with FAR 5.202 and FAR 6.302-1 procedures.
7. Determination by the CO that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: The proposed pricing has been evaluated and determined to
VHAPG Part 806.3 OFOC Page 3 of 4
Acquisition ID#:
be fair and reasonable. This determination is based on the vendor’s established commercial pricing and consistency with prior purchases of comparable Allentown equipment. No information indicates that the pricing is excessive or unsupported
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 using multiple available sources to identify potential vendors. Although other suppliers were located, none can provide equipment manufactured by Allentown LLC. The required units must be fully compatible with the existing Allentown systems currently in use and must comply with established grant-approved technical specifications. Additionally, the requirement mandates products manufactured in the United States. Based on these compatibility, specification, and origin constraints, Allentown LLC is the only source capable of meeting the Government’s needs, thereby justifying a sole-source procurement
9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition:
Standardization eliminates the need to operate multiple incompatible housing systems, reduces training complexity, ensures consistent biosecurity practices, and maintains continuity with academic partners.
10. Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition:
No sources other than Allentown expressed interest or could meet the required equipment compatibility.
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: Future acquisitions may be competed if Truman VA transitions fully to a different manufacturer; however, doing so would require replacing existing Allentown infrastructure. No actions are planned at this time.
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.
Date
Truman VA, Columbia, Missouri
VHAPG Part 806.3 OFOC Page 4 of 4
Acquisition ID#:
13. Approvals in accordance with the VHAPM Part 806.3 OFOC SOP:
a. Contracting Officer Certification (required): I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.
VHA R&D Contracting Division
b. One Level Above the Contracting Officer (Required over SAT but not exceeding $900K): I certify the justification meets requirements for other than full and open competition.
VHA R&D Contracting Division
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