Sources Sought Notice 36C24126Q0667_1.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- 36C24126Q0667_1
About this file
This is a Sources Sought Notice issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 1 (NCO 1), seeking market research information on laboratory cryostat systems for the Providence VA Medical Center. The solicitation number is 36C24126Q0667, with responses due by September 8, 2026, at 1:00 PM Eastern Time. The notice will be archived 30 days after the response date. The equipment will be placed of performance at Providence VA Medical Center, 830 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island 02908-4734. The Product Service Code is 6640, and the NAICS Code is 339113. The contracting office is located at Network Contracting Office 1, 1 VA Center, Augusta, Maine 04330, with Contract Specialist Dewan Britton serving as the point of contact (Dewan.Britton@va.gov, 910-343-5300).
The VA requires a cryostat system capable of producing thin, high-quality frozen tissue sections for histology, Mohs surgery, pathology, and diagnostic applications. Minimum salient characteristics include: frozen sectioning performance with consistent, high-quality output and precision microtome mechanisms; stable ultra-low-temperature cryochambers with rapid specimen-freezing capability; automated specimen retraction and integrated touchscreen or comparable user interface; multiple freezing stations supporting high throughput; features minimizing frost accumulation and operator strain; and a minimum one-year warranty covering parts and labor. Optional built-in surface disinfection technology is preferred but not required. Vendors must provide company information, business size and socioeconomic classification, detailed product specifications meeting all salient characteristics, technical literature, delivery lead time, installation and training service details, warranty terms, manufacturing country, federal contract vehicles held, and past performance on similar equipment. The VA prefers domestically manufactured items when available. This notice is for market research purposes only and does not constitute a formal solicitation or commit the Government to award a contract. Responses must be submitted electronically to Dewan.Britton@va.gov with the subject line "Sources Sought – Cryostat System 36C24126Q0667." The Government will not reimburse costs associated with responding.
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Sources Sought Notice
*= Required Field Sources Sought Notice
SUBJECT* Sources Sought Notice - Laboratory Cryostat System - Providence VAMC
GENERAL INFORMATION
CONTRACTING OFFICE’S ZIP CODE* 04330
SOLICITATION NUMBER* 36C24126Q0667
RESPONSE DATE/TIME/ZONE 09-08-2026 1PM EASTERN TIME, NEW YORK, USA
ARCHIVE 30 DAYS AFTER THE RESPONSE DATE
RECOVERY ACT FUNDS N
SET-ASIDE
PRODUCT SERVICE CODE* 6640
NAICS CODE* 339113
CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS Department of Veterans Affairs
Network Contracting Office 1 (NCO 1) Contracting Officer (90C) 1 VA Center Augusta ME 04330
POINT OF CONTACT*
Contract Specialist Dewan Britton Dewan.Britton@va.gov 910-343-5300
PLACE OF PERFORMANCE
ADDRESS Department of Veterans Affairs Veteran's Health Administration Providence VA Medical Center 830 Chalkstone Avenue Providence RI
POSTAL CODE 02908-4734
COUNTRY USA
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
AGENCY’S URL https://www.va.gov/ URL DESCRIPTION Department of Veterans Affairs AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS Dewan.Britton@va.gov EMAIL DESCRIPTION Point of Contact
DESCRIPTION
1. Purpose
This is a Sources Sought Notice issued solely for market research purposes. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Regional Procurement Office East, Network Contracting Office 1, is seeking information from vendors capable of providing a laboratory cryostat system that meets the minimum technical requirements described below.
This notice does not constitute a solicitation and does not commit the Government to issue a solicitation or make an award.
2. Minimum Requirement – Salient Characteristics
The VA requires a cryostat system designed for producing thin, high-quality frozen sections of biological tissue used in histology, Mohs surgery, pathology, and other diagnostic applications.
Vendors must be able to provide equipment that meets all of the following salient characteristics:
A. Frozen Sectioning Performance
• Capable of producing thin, consistent, high-quality frozen tissue sections suitable for diagnostic microscopic examination.
• Must maintain uniform section thickness with minimal artifacts or surface defects.
• Must include a precision microtome mechanism that provides accurate trimming and sectioning control.
B. Temperature Control & Freezing
• Must maintain a stable, ultra-low-temperature cryochamber for freezing biological tissues.
• Must provide rapid specimen-freezing capability to support time-sensitive diagnostic workflows.
• System must support reliable freezing that preserves cellular structures, morphology, and tissue integrity.
C. Operational & Workflow Requirements
• Must include automated specimen retraction or equivalent safety-enhancing functionality.
• Must include an integrated user interface such as a touchscreen or comparable control platform that enables hands-off operation of key system functions.
• Must incorporate features to minimize frost accumulation and improve operator ergonomics during routine use.
• Must support efficient sectioning workflows suitable for environments requiring high throughput.
D. Capacity
• Must include multiple freezing stations that allow preparation and freezing of multiple specimens.
• Freezing stations must support consistent and repeatable results, enabling streamlined laboratory workflows.
E. Safety & Optional Features
• Must be designed to reduce repetitive motion strain and improve operator safety.
• Optional availability of built-in surface disinfection technology (such as UV or equivalent) is preferred but not required.
F. Warranty
• Equipment must include a minimum one-year warranty covering parts and labor.
3. Domestic Manufacturing Preference
The VA has a preference for domestically manufactured items, when available.
Respondents must indicate:
• Whether the proposed end product is manufactured in the United States.
• If not, provide the country of origin.
4. Requested Information From Respondents
Interested vendors must submit the following:
1. Company name, address, SAM UEI, and point of contact
2. Business size and socioeconomic classification
3. Product specifications demonstrating capability to meet all salient characteristics listed
4. Technical literature describing the proposed equipment
5. Delivery lead time
6. Information on available installation and training services
7. Warranty terms
8. Country where the end product is manufactured
9. Any federal supply schedule or contract vehicles held
10. Past performance providing similar laboratory or diagnostic equipment
5. Place of Performance
Providence VA Medical Center 830 Chalkstone Avenue Providence, RI 02908
6. Submission Instructions
All responses shall be submitted electronically to:
Dewan.Britton@va.gov
Subject line: Sources Sought – Cryostat System 36C24126Q0667
7. Disclaimer
This notice is for market research purposes only. It is not a solicitation and does not obligate the Government to make an award. No contract will be awarded based solely on responses to this notice. The Government will not reimburse costs associated with responding.
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