RFI 36C26225Q0237-Microscope Slide Printer.docx

THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) / SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION.

SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION ABOUT PRICING, DELIVERY, THE MARKET, AND CAPABILITIES IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED AND ALLOWED UNDER THIS RFI FOR PLANNING PURPOSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH (IAW) FAR 15.201(e).

DISCLAIMER

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. IAW FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.

RFI/SOURCES SOUGHT DESCRIPTION

This is NOT a solicitation announcement. This is an RFI/Sources Sought Notice only. The purpose of this RFI/Sources Sought Notice is to gain information about potential qualified sources and their size classification relative to NAICS 334516 (size standard of 1,000 Employees). Responses to this RFI/Sources Sought Notice will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After review of the responses to this RFI/Sources Sought Notice, further RFIs and/or a solicitation or other announcements may be published.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking sources capable of providing microscope slide printer for the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System and that can address the draft salient characteristics described below.

Brand-Name Product Information:

Manufacturer: Matsunami

ESPO Slide Printer

1 EACH

ESPO 50 Slide Stacker

1 EACH

Ribbon with Spools

10 ROLLS

Manufacturer’s Warranty (If not already included with the purchase of the microscope slide printer.)

1 YEAR

Equal-to-Product Information:

Main components: (1) Microscope Slide Printer, (2) Slide Stacker, (3) Ribbon with Spools Possible Capabilities: See the draft salient characteristics below.

This requirement is for one microscope slide printer that can automatically and directly label large numbers of microscope slides that are routinely used in histology applications for VA-approved research projects.

This system:

1. Must be able to print specified information direct to a specified area of a microscope slide surface of 25 mm X at least 20 mm.

1. Must include software that can specify the area of the slide to be printed, and the font and font size.

1. Must print at a rate of less than 4 to 5 seconds per slide.

1. Must include software that allows for programming the printing with constant information (i.e., project-specific label) and incremental information (i.e., progressive slide number labels) information.

1. Should be independent of separate computer control ideally. Any computer controlling this printer must not be connected to the VA network.

1. Must have a capacity to input at least 50 microscope slides and print while unattended.

1. Must have a small footprint of less than 6 inches X 12 inches for the printer.

The list of draft characteristics is intended to be descriptive, not restrictive, of the supplies and/or services that are required.

If your company is interested and capable of providing the required supplies/services, please provide the information indicated below. Response to this notice should include company name, address, point of contact, size of business pursuant to the following questions:

(1) Submit your capabilities statement illustrating how your organization can/cannot meet the list of draft salient characteristics described below. For instances where your company cannot meet the draft salient characteristic(s), please explain. For instances where your company can meet the draft salient characteristic(s), please show how your company meets/exceeds each requirement.

(2) Please review the list of draft salient characteristics and provide any additional feedback or suggestions. If none, please reply as N/A.

(3) Please indicate the size status and representations of your business, such as but not limited to: Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), HUBZone, Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), Large Business, etc.

(4) Is your company considered small under the NAICS code identified in this RFI?

(5) Are you the manufacturer, authorized distributor, and/or can your company provide a solution to the required supplies/services described in the list of draft salient characteristics?

(6) If you are a large business, do you have any designated/authorized distributors? If so, please provide their company name, telephone, point of contact and size status (if available).

(7) If you’re a small business and you are an authorized distributor/reseller for the items identified above, do you alter, assemble, or modify the items requested in any way? If you do, state how and what is altered, assembled, or modified.

(8) Limitations on Subcontracting: How does your business ensure compliance with the limitations on subcontracting as outlined in 13 CFR § 125.6?

(9) Are the items you are identifying/providing considered Commercial of the Shelf (COTS) items as defined in FAR Part 2.101 under commercial items?

(10) Non-Manufacturer Rule: If applicable, can you confirm your business complies with the Non-Manufacturer rule? Specifically, does your company: Provide a product from a small business manufacturer or processor? Not exceed 500 employees? Primarily engage in the retail or wholesale trade and normally sell the type of item being supplied? Take ownership or possession of the item(s) with its personnel, equipment or facilities in a manner consistent with industry practice?

(11) Please indicate whether your product conforms to the requirements of the Buy American Act? If you are unsure, please state the country of origin for each item.

(12) What is your lead time to deliver a single unit with all components? Is there scale in lead time with greater quantities? Please elaborate.

(14) Does your proposed equipment have FDA clearance (if needed)? Please specify what FDA clearance(s) have been obtained.

(13) Does your company have a Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) GSA/NAC/SAC/BPA/NASA SEWP or any other Federal Government contract? If so, please provide the contract number(s).

(14) If you are an FSS GSA/NAC/SAC/BPA/NASA SEWP or any other Federal Government contract holder, are all the items/solutions you are providing information about available on your schedule/contract? Please state if all or some items are available on the contract.

(15) General pricing of your products/solution is encouraged. Pricing will be used for the purpose of market research only. It will not be used to evaluate for any type of award.

(16) Please provide your SAM.gov Unique Entity ID/Cage Code number.

Responses to this notice shall be submitted via email to Bridgett.Sharma@VA.gov. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Responses must be received no later than Tuesday, December 17, 2024, by 4:00 PM PT.

All responses to this RFI/Sources Sought will be used for planning purposes only. Responses to this RFI/Sources Sought Notice are not considered a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation. If further RFIs and/or a solicitation or other announcement is issued because of the information provided from this RFI, all interested parties must respond to the specific posting separately in accordance with the specifications of that announcement.