12 month Lease of Fujinon Endoscopes for the Hines VAMC

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

As required by FAR 6.302-2 - Unusual and Compelling Urgency





1. Identification of the Agency and the Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Medical Center, 5000 W. National Ave. Bldg. 5, Milwaukee, WI 53295



2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved: Procure emergency lease and maintenance services for 25 flexible endoscopes and associated digital processors.



3. A Description of Supplies/Services required: The Edward Hines VA Hospital has requested a one year lease and maintenance services for 25 flexible endoscopes and associated digital processors for the facility. The much of current equipment is in a constant state of repair and cannot be used for patient procedures, leaving a minimal amount of equipment to keep up with patient demand. Patients are made to wait while the endoscope utilized for their procedure is disinfected. The Edward Hines VA Hospital is in a critical shortage of operable endoscopes in order to meet patient diagnosis and treatment needs. The approximate cost is $210,291.00 for the one year lease period.



4. Statutory Authority permitting other than full and open competition: FAR 6.302-2(a)(2). The VA's need for the supply is of such an unusual and compelling urgency that the Government would be seriously injured unless VA is permitted to limit the number of sources. (41 U.S.C. 253 (c)(2)).



5. Facilities Unique Qualifications: The facility requires equipment which will allow them to provide safe, advanced and appropriate patient care to the veteran population. Based upon information provided by the facility, the emergency lease of flexible scopes is required. The endoscopes are highly advanced allowing the Edward Hines VA Hospital to detect lesions and treat them. The lack of endoscopes create unacceptable delays and cancelations from providing proper care which is creating the possibility of life threatening situations for critically ill patients in the diagnoses of disease progression.



6. Efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable: The National Acquisition Center approved the Federal Supply schedule (FSS) request for waiver in order to procure the requested lease as an open market request to Fujinon which will meet the facilities minimum needs. This is an urgent request so no other offers were solicited.



7. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable: Price was confirmed with COTR on past purchases for the same or similar type equipment and is comparable.



8. Market survey conducted: Currently, there is only one FSS vendor for the requested type of lease and service but will not be able to meet the minimum needs of the facility. Based upon the urgent and compelling need, and the approved FSS Waiver, no further market research was conducted.



9. Other facts: None



10. Other sources expressing an interest: None



11. Actions to remove or overcome any barriers to competition: The National Acquisition Center is currently working on blanket purchase agreements with various vendors for flexible endoscope leases.



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



Based upon information received from the station, we concur that it is in the best interest of the government to proceed with the emergency procurement with this firm.





Darryl Shane Mahaffy

Contracting Officer