P03. JA Sole source_IonOptix LLC_signed Redacted.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: 36C263-25-AP-2613

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office

23, 1303 5th St. Suite 300, Coralville, IA 52241.

Requiring Activity: Iowa City VA Health Care System, 601 Highway 6 West, Iowa City, IA 52246-2208

Purchase Request #: 636-25-4-4610-0543

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

Estimated Amount:

Calcium and Contractility System by IonOptix LLC. The Department of Veterans Affairs requires a system that records primary cardiomyocyte calcium and contractility; one which permits the researcher to simultaneously record the dynamics of intracellular calcium concentration changes and the dimensions of the cardiac myocyte during stimulated contractions and one that also allows acquisition of both the length of the contracting cell as well as sarcomere length at >1000 Hz sampling while simultaneously recording cellular calcium.

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

The IonOptic LLC Calcium and Contractility System is technology that occupies its own niche. There are no other brands that have created a system similar to the IonOptix system for heart cells.

IonOptix’s system allows acquisition of both the length of the contracting cell as well as sarcomere length at >1000 Hz sampling while simultaneously recording cellular calcium. There is no other brand that provides equipment that can do this. The uniqueness of this method inspired the NIH to award IonOptix a Small Business Innovation Research grant (titled “Quantitation of Cardiac Myocyte Contractile Dynamics”).

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#

IonOptix’s system is also unique in that it can be a completely integrated turnkey system for capturing calcium and contractility where all data recording streams are synchronized with one another and collected in a single data file, with a complete suite of analytical tools to characterize cardiomyocyte kinetic dynamics.

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

Online searches and research.

Phone calls with IonOptix representatives to better understand their technology.

Phone calls with the requesting service it investigate their request to limit competition.

Reviewed past solicitations by other VA VISNs and other Agencies on SAM.gov.

Posted an Intent to Sole Source on SAM.gov from 7/14/25 – 7/22/25 which produced no new inquires and no new sources.

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.

____________________________ 07/19/2025 Joseph Bennett, Contract Officer Date

JOSEPH

BENNETT

Digitally signed by

JOSEPH BENNETT

Date: 2025.07.19 19:26:36 -05'00'