P03 J_A Sole Source Skytron Operating Tables_Redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Office of Procurement, Acquisition and Logistics (OPAL)

Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC)

Source Selection Information – See FAR 2.101 and 3.104

Sole Source Justification under Simplified Procedures, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12

(1) Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a "Sole Source Justification."

This Sole Source Justification is executed by the Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC), on behalf of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Equipment Life Cycle Management (ELCM) Program.

(2) Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

This activity proposes awarding a noncompetitive, firm-fixed-price contract to Skytron, LLC, a small business and the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of operating room tables and accessories required by the VHA. The proposed action is urgent; the Government would be seriously injured if competition were pursued because the requirement is critical to ongoing surgical operations at multiple VA medical centers.

(3) A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs

(including the estimated value).

Operating tables and accessories are surgical platforms with adjustable height and longitudinal movement, constructed with a sliding top surface supported by a fixed pedestal or a swivel-caster mobile base. Tables are divided into three or more hinged sections (head, body, legs) and may be raised, lowered, tilted, and rotated using manual and/or electric controls. Operating tables support patient positioning for full-body imaging and surgical procedures, providing optimal exposure of the surgical field while minimizing patient manipulation, trauma, and abrasion.

Required Products:

Product Part Number Quantity Price Total Table, Ultra Slide 3603 2

Table, Battery/line powered electro-hydraulic table with removable leg and back sections and 210 deg. Table top rotation

6702 1

2" 3PC Pad Set 6700 Series Welded Seam 1-011-08-2 1

Table, GS70 Salus Slide Top Next Generation Table (21.85" x 39.37" x 85.31")

GS70 17

G-Series Standard Leg Section GS70-1 17

2" 3PC PAD SET: 3501B,

3501C, 3502, 3503, 3600

SERIES WELDED SEAMS

1-011-06-2 17

Clarity 3008WT 1 2" Pad 3000/3003 Welded

Seam 1-011-03-2 1

Total Estimated Value:

Period of Performance: days from date of award

Scope: Fulfillment of three urgent orders for VA medical centers in California, Minnesota, and Michigan.

(4) An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C.

1901.

(5) A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

The Veterans Health Administration has an urgent need to fulfill three outstanding task orders for operating tables and accessories at the VA Medical Centers in San Francisco, CA; Minneapolis, MN; and Ann Arbor, MI. These orders were placed under a requirements contract in August and September 2025 but remain unfulfilled due to the previous contractor losing its authorized dealer status with Skytron, LLC. It was unforeseen and unexpected that the contractor would be unable to perform/deliver under the contract, which is now in the process of being terminated.

As a result, the outstanding orders are now 4 months past due, and the VA facilities urgently require these operating tables to meet patient care needs.

Skytron does not maintain nationwide distributor agreements with any other entity, leaving no alternative sources for these specific tables and accessories. While other operating tables exist in the marketplace, they do not meet the technical and compatibility requirements of these facilities, which have already prepared for Skytron installations. Preparation includes infrastructure alignment, staff training, and integration planning specific to Skytron equipment. Switching to another brand at this stage would require significant reconfiguration, retraining, and delays, exacerbating the urgent and compelling need.

The OEM has confirmed immediate availability of the required tables and accessories, which are critical to avoid cancellation of scheduled surgeries and prevent adverse impacts on patient care. Introducing competition now would result in further delays, risking patient safety and operational readiness. Additionally, the aging fleet of operating tables is experiencing frequent downtime, making immediate replacement essential.

Skytron’s unique qualifications as the OEM ensure proper integration with existing systems, adherence to warranty and maintenance requirements, and compliance with hospital standards—capabilities that cannot be guaranteed through other sources.

Therefore, limiting competition to Skytron is necessary to satisfy the Government’s urgent requirements without incurring serious injury.

(6) A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR Part 5 and, if not, which exception under FAR Part 5 applies.

A notice of the proposed action will not be synopsized via the Government Point of Entry (GPE) in accordance with FAR Section 5.101(2).

(7) A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

No award shall be made until the Contracting Officer determines the cost to the Government to be fair and reasonable. In accordance with FAR 12.204(a), price reasonableness should, when possible, be based on competitive quotations. However, because this is a sole-source acquisition, the CO will determine price fairness using alternative methods.

The quoted price will be evaluated to ensure it is fair and reasonable by using one or more of the following approaches:

a. Comparison of the proposed prices to historical prices paid, whether by the Government or other than the Government, for the same or similar items.

b. Comparison with competitive published price lists of similar products, published market prices of commodities, similar indexes, and discount or rebate arrangements.

c. Comparison of proposed prices with Independent Government Cost Estimates.

(8) A description of the market research conducted (see part 10), and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

The NAICS code for this acquisition is 339113 Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing. Market research established the Government’s needs can be met through the acquisition of commercial supply items and services. The contracting officer determined that Skytron Operating Tables are commercial in nature. Market research was conducted pursuant to the requirements set forth in FAR Part 10. Market Research determined that Skytron is the sole distributor for Operating Tables for nationwide distribution. Consequently, Skytron is the only possible supplier to the federal government.

(9) Any other facts supporting using other than full and open competition.

The current contract is being terminated because the awardee, the only authorized dealer for Skytron, failed to meet its financial obligations, lost its credit line, and subsequently lost its authorized dealer status, and is unable to fulfill orders placed by VHA in August/September of 2025.

Skytron, LLC is the OEM and does not maintain nationwide distributor agreements with any other entity, leaving no alternative sources for these specific tables and accessories. To ensure continuity of patient care and avoid disruption of surgical services, this activity seeks to negotiate and award a single award firm-fixed price contract with Skytron, LLC using the procedures of FAR Parts 12. The delivery shall occur within days of award.

(10) A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed an interest in the acquisition in writing.

Skytron LLC, 2140 OAK INDUSTRIAL DR NE, GRAND RAPIDS MI, 49505.

(11) A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.

The overarching requirements contract currently being terminated was originally solicited under full and open competition. For future acquisitions, the Government will conduct new market research to identify authorized distributors and OEMs capable of meeting this requirement. This research will assess any changes in the marketplace that could enable competitive procurement strategies.

All future requirements will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine the most appropriate acquisition approach, with the intent to maximize competition whenever practicable.

(12) Contracting officer certification that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of the contracting officer’s knowledge and belief.

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signature: _________ _ Anthony Zibolski

Contracting Officer Strategic Acquisition Center

Approval

Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve this acquisition on an “other than full and open competition” basis pursuant to the statutory authority cited in paragraph four above, subject to availability of funds, and provided that the property and services herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition. As this action does not exceed $20M, the certification below required by FAR 6.104-2 serves as approval.

Signature: _____ _

Efrain J. Fernandez Director of Contracts Procuring Activity Advocate for Competition (SAC Frederick) Strategic Acquisition Center