Notice of Intent to Award Sole Source.docx

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD SOLE SOURCE

I. The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 16, located at 25075 Westheimer Road, GFC Suite 750 Houston, TX 77056-5643 hereby provides notice of its intent to award a sole-source, firm-fixed-price contract to Cepheid, 904, East Caribbean Drive Sunnyvale, California 94089-1189.

The contractor shall furnish an instrument rental and service agreement for one base year and two option years (36 months) for the Instruments identified below (collectively “Instruments”) to be used at the Alexandria VA Medical Center (AVAMC) in Pineville, Louisiana, along with its five (5) associated CBOCs located in Lafayette, Lake Charles, Jennings, Natchitoches, and Fort Polk, Louisiana.

Instruments

Accessories

The equipment and associated maintenance, support, software, and reporting (together, “associated services”) shall be delivered to the AVAMC and its five (5) associated CBOCs:

Alexandria VA Medical Center 2495 Shreveport Hwy Building 7, 3rd Floor, Room 351 Pineville, Louisiana 71360

Lafayette VA Clinic 3149 Ambassador Caffery Parkway Room 117 Lafayette, LA 70506

Douglas Fournet VA Clinic 3601 Gerstner Memorial Drive, Hwy 14 Lake Charles, LA 70607

Fort Polk VA Clinic 3353 University Parkway Leesville, LA 71446

Jennings VA Clinic 1907 Johnson Street Jennings, LA 70546

Natchitoches VA Clinic 740 Keyser Avenue, Suite B Natchitoches, LA 71457

II. The North American Industry Classification (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 532490 Other Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing (SBA Size Standard $40M Employees).

III. This purchase will be made under Simplified Acquisition Procedures and Other than Full and Open Competition, as authorized by FAR 6.103-1 and in accordance with FAR 12.102. The Government intends to award a Firm-Fixed-Price contract, in accordance with FAR 12.204.

IV. The anticipated award date is November 2, 2026. The Government intends to award a Firm-Fixed-Price contract

V. Please note that this is not a request for competitive quotes and is being posted for informational purposes only. Interested contractors shall provide the following information as an attachment to their responses:

1. Identify any other companies owned (wholly or in-part) by the owners of this business who provide goods or services under the same or related NAICS codes.

2. Identify any other companies owned (wholly or in-part) by the owners of this business who provide goods or services that are registered under the same or a related NAICS code with the Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE); Provide the certification type (SDVOSB/VOSB), Federal Identification Number, and state of incorporation for each.

3. Do you plan on responding to a solicitation for this requirement with a Joint Venture utilizing multiple owned companies as majority or non-majority owner?

If yes, please identify which companies you are considering a Joint Venture and the ownership of each company.

4. Do you have an existing GSA or VA, Federal Supply Schedule contract, please include the contract details in your response.

5. Are you authorized by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) with certified technicians to meet all government requirements and objectives? You must attach an authorization letter to your response to be considered as part of this Market Research and responsive to this notice.

6. Do you possess the capability to obtain software if required for Government equipment? You must attach an authorization letter to your response to be considered as part of this Market Research and responsive to this notice.

7. Do you possess all license/certification for any OEM proprietary service materials? You must attach any required license/certification to your response to be considered as part of the Market Research and responsive to this Sources Sought notice.

8. Do you employ more than 500 people?

9. Are you primarily engaged in the retail or wholesale trade and normally sell this type of item?

10. Do you take ownership of the item(s) with your personnel, equipment or facilities in a manner consistent with industry practice?

11. Do you propose to supply the end item of a small business manufacturer, processor or producer made in the United States, or has a waiver been obtained?

VI. Interested parties shall identify their interests and capability to respond to this requirement within Ten (10) calendar days of the publication of this notice. Any response to this notice shall show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government.

Interested parties shall submit clear evidence with the capability to meet the government’s requirements. To include but not limited to:

1. Capability to provide equivalent hardware and associated services for the equipment listed above to the AVAMC and its five (5) associated CBOCs.

2. Letter from equipment manufacturer demonstrating approved distributor status if applicable.

See Attached Draft Statement of Work Statement (SOW)

VII. Questions regarding this notice should be sent to Alan Scanio within Ten (10) calendar days of the publication of this notice at alan.scanio@va.gov.