DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Brand Name Justification for Total Small Business Set-Aside Awards IAW FAR 13.106-1

For Over Micro-Purhcase Threshold and Under the SAT

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 22, VA Tucson Healthcare System.

3601 South 6th Ave, Tucson AZ 85723.

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

The Radiology Department at the VA Tucson Healthcare System has a request for Software

Software, Software Installation, and Additional Components for the Simens MAGNETOM

VIDA/VIDA MRI System (3T) currently installed on site.

3. Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one source, with the reason no other supplies or services can be used: The requested components, which are Simens designed coils, are engineered, tested, and optimized specifically for the hardware as well as the software architecture of the Siemens scanner. These are also validated for patient safety, image uniformity, and system reliability, reducing the risk of compatibility issues, workflow delays, or limitations in available imaging protocols.

Additionally The software requested is made specifically for the MAGENETOM VIDA/VIDA MRI System (3T) currently on hand. It will provide the highest level of compatibility, performance, and support because the software is specifically developed and validated for Siemens hardware, coils, and gradients

Selecting any other brand name other than Siemens would not only result in incompatibility issues, but also this would run the risk of damaging the 3T MRI system on hand. This would not only put the safety of patients at risk.

Due to the proprietary nature of software and components, this procurement must be brand name.

4. Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted: Market research was conducted through FPDS, Dynamic Small Business Search, as well as a previous sources sought that was posted to SAM.

(2) SDVOSB Authorized Distributors of Siemens Components were identified and potentially other small businesses authorized resellers, could potentially fulfill this requirement. The rule of (2) can be met, healthy competition is anticipated as it is expected that at least two vendors will submit offers at a fair market price for this competitive total small business set-aside.

5. Contracting Officer's Certification: Purchase is approved in accordance with FAR 13.106-1, and in conjunction with FAR 52.219-6. I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Jonathan Ford Date Contracting Officer https://www.acquisition.gov/?q=/browse/far/13 https://acquisition.gov/far/current/html/Subpart%2013_1.html#wp1125466