P03 - Brand Name Only Justificaiton - 36C252-26-AP-1287_Redacted.pdf
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- Attached to
- Brand Name Only Olympus BX43 Microscope Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- 36C25226Q0236
About this file
This is a Justification for Brand Name Only acquisition document from the Department of Veterans Affairs for a purchase exceeding the micro-purchase threshold but not exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT). The contracting activity is VISN 12, Great Lakes Acquisitions Center (GLAC), William S. Middleton VAMC, Laboratory Hematology Department (Path and Lab Dept.). The acquisition seeks replacement of an Olympus BX43 microscope, a primary diagnostic laboratory instrument essential for patient care that has reached end-of-life after 20 years of service and cannot be repaired.
The justification establishes that only the Olympus BX43 model meets the laboratory's unique requirements due to its specific capabilities for polarization and side-by-side dual viewing, compatibility with existing Olympus equipment and parts within the laboratory, higher numerical aperture (NA) values for superior image resolution and clarity critical to patient diagnosis, free setup and training services, and alignment with VISN 12's laboratory standardization goal. The document notes that switching to alternative manufacturers would require staff retraining, new maintenance procedures, and operational disruptions impacting patient care. Market research determined that neither two Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SD/VOSB) manufacturers nor two small business manufacturers or resellers can provide this specific brand-name product, failing both the VA Rule of Two and SBA Rule of Two thresholds. Accordingly, the Contracting Officer recommends posting a full and open solicitation to ensure maximum practicable competition and certifies the justification's accuracy under FAR 13.106-1(b).
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Revision: 02 Page 1 of 2 Effective Date: 12/30/2025 Acquisition ID#
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Justification for Brand Name Only For
Over Micro-Purchase Threshold but Not Exceeding the SAT
(Tailored for Brand Name Only Justification)
Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C252-26-AP-1287
1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 12, Great Lakes
Acquisiitons Center (GLAC), William S. Middleton VAMC, 113, Path and Lab Dept.
2. Brief Description of Supplies/ Services required and the intended use/Estimated Amount:
Laboratory Hematology Department requires a replacement of an Olympus microscope. The current microscope, specifically capable of polarization and side by side dual viewing, has reached its end of life and cannot be repaired. The microscope lasted 20 years. This is a primary piece of equipment that is essential in providing results to providers for patient care.
3. Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one source, with the reason no other supplies or services can be used:
Olympus BX43 Microscope-The general diagnostic laboratory only has Olympus brand microscopes. It is crucial for patient care that we continue to have Olympus microscopes. These microscopes last for decades and need minimal service or down time for repairs. It is imperative that we can share parts and microscope objectives amongst the other laboratory scopes. If a microscope in the laboratory goes down and we are unable to share parts, this greatly impacts patient care with longer turnaround time for test results (potentially having to send samples over the UW hospital). Switching to a different brand of microscopes other that Olympus will be a detriment to our lab staff and lab service as all staff will have to be trained and educated. New maintenance procedures will have to be written. All the time spent on new education and procedures will take away technologist time that could be spent providing patient care. Olympus provides free set-up and instructions for use.
This is also very important and saves on technologist time. Olympus microscopes are also in most of the VISN12 laboratories. This is crucial for VISN12 laboratory goal of standardization. Standardization provides the best care for our Veterans.
Revision: 02 Page 2 of 2 Effective Date: 12/30/2025 Acquisition ID#
Olympus BX43 Microscopes also has higher NA (numerical aperture) values for certain objectives compared to its competitors. The higher the NA value the more light the system can gather and better the resolution. Resulting in clear, brighter images. It is vital to have the best images possible when technologist use these images to report out results that aid in patient diagnosis.
4. Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted:
Market research has determined that there are not two or more known SD/VOSB manufacturers able to provide the Brand Name Only product, thus the VA Rule of Two has not been met. Similarly, market research indicates that there are not two or more known small business manufacturers or resellers able to provide the Brand Name Only product, meaning the SBA Rule of Two has also not been met.
Therefore, the Contracting Officer recommends posting the full and open solicitation to contract opportunities to ensure the most practicable competition.
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.
Name Date Title https://acquisition.gov/far/current/html/Subpart%2013_1.html#wp1125466
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .