6515--Equipment - AneticAid Ophthalmic Stretchers Ann Arbor VAMC

Notice of Intent to Sole Source Requirement

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor VA Medical Center, NCO 10 Contracting Activity intends to negotiate a sole source contract under Simplified Acquisition Procedures and the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) Only one source reasonably available for the following items listed below. The associated NAICS code for this is 339113. The vendor will be Alpine Surgical Equipment, 10775 Double R Blvd., Reno NV 89521.

Description of requirements:

Item #

Manufacturer/Description/Part/Model Number

Qty

Â

Â

Â

21118

AneticAid QA4 Ophthalmic Stretcher V2

12

Â

Â

Â

In addition to the items above, the vendor will install equipment.

It is the Government's belief that only the proposed candidate possesses the required capabilities to successfully meet this requirement. It is the Government's intention to solicit and negotiate with only this source.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. It is not a solicitation or request for offers. No solicitation package is available. Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government. Responses must be received no later than 12:00 pm on Thursday, June 5, 2025, by email only phone calls will not be accepted.

LouAnn Gilliland

Contract Specialist

louann.gilliland@va.gov

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: 36C250-25-AP-2709

Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 10, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Contracting Office is seeking to procure 12 (twelve) AneticAid QA4 Ophthalmic Stretchers for the Ann Arbor VAMC Ophthalmic Service, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105.

2237 # 506-25-3-118-0118

Brief Description of Supplies/ Services required and the intended use/Estimated Amount: In compliance with the new requirements of VHA Directive 1611, the facility requires the purchase of at least 12 AneticAid QA4 Ophthalmic V2 Stretchers and accessories (hereafter eye stretchers ) to be used to transport and position patients for a variety of Eye, ENT, and plastic surgeries.

Estimated Cost: $156,440.00

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

The Facility looked for powered stretchers, specifically designed to support patients and staff while performing delicate eye procedures. Existing stretchers are extremely old (some over 40 years). To raise and lower head on existing eye stretchers staff must manually crank a handle at the foot of the bed. This repeated motion (sometimes in excess of 40 to 60 times per day) has resulted in staff injuries. The mattresses and head pieces have worn out, are cracked, which can harbor disease and contaminants and are not made of new anti-microbial materials.

Only AneticAid QA4 Ophthalmic V2 Stretchers possessed all of the required salient characteristics and VA qualifying characteristics. The Facility requires Brand name or equal for all of the following surgical eye stretcher salient characteristics:

Eye stretchers must be specifically designed to enable surgeons to perform eye surgeries, not a general or multi-purpose stretcher.

The stretcher must be electric powered to raise and lower the patient platform.

The stretcher must have electric-powered gas pneumatic assist to raise and lower backrest, knee flex, and be able to raise and lower both simultaneously.

The stretcher must have AC and battery powered option.

Must be able to position either electrically powered or manually in Trendelenburg at least 12 degrees and reverse Trendelenburg to at least 10 degrees.

Powered controls must have electric powered and manual CPR function to automatically lower patient platform, backrest, and knees simultaneously for emergency response.

Eye stretcher must have a powered handset for patient positioning, available at the foot of the stretcher, and available from either side of the stretcher.

The eye stretchers must have an adjustable dual-articulating head positioners.

Eye stretchers must maximize patient safety and comfort.

Eye stretchers must be equipped with pressure injury prevention rated mattresses that patients can lay on for long periods of time during surgery and recovery.

Eye stretchers must be equipped with one-piece mattresses with minimal seams or breaks and must be made of anti-microbial material to reduce pressure injury risk and promote infection prevention.

Eye stretcher mattresses must be latex-free and X-ray translucent. Eye stretcher mattresses must be equipped with a zipper to remove the cover and inspect the foam for damage or contaminants.

Eye stretchers platform must be able to drop as low as 19 from the floor and raise as high as 34 . Rationale: Effective October of 2024, National Council on Disability and ADA amended the rule on the accessibility of medical diagnostic equipment. In 2021, the recommended range from floor to seat was 17 to 19 inches. The new requirement is 17 inches. To support the changing standards, the reviewer recommends VA equipment, exam tables and chairs, and stretchers be as accessible as possible.

Eyes Stretchers must have at least a 700 Lb. capacity in keeping with the ever-growing patient population.

Eye stretcher mattress length must be at least 27 wide and 88 long to accommodate the larger VA patient population.

Eye stretcher backrest must raise at least to 70 degrees with knees raised/flexed up to 30 degrees.

Eye stretcher must be equipped with a 5th wheel that can be engaged and disengaged using one foot control, to make maneuvering and driving the stretcher safer.

Eye stretcher brake pedals must be accessible from either side the of the stretcher, standing either at the foot or head of the stretcher.

Eye stretcher must be equipped with pedals that when either is depressed at any point along the length of the pedals, all four castors are simultaneously braked. The brakes are disengaged by lifting either pedal.

Eye stretchers must have Oxygen cylinder mounting trough for multiple tank sizes.

Eye stretchers must have fixed adjustable IV pole.

Eye stretcher must have battery power and charging indicator.

Eye stretcher must be equipped with fold-away pushing handles at the head of bed to minimize interference with surgeon s workspace.

While all of the above information is extremely important for these stretchers, the two items that can be found in no other product are the following:

Eye stretchers platform must be able to drop as low as 19 from the floor and raise as high as 34 . Rationale: Effective October of 2024, National Council on Disability and ADA amended the rule on the accessibility of medical diagnostic equipment. In 2021, the recommended range from floor to seat was 17 to 19 inches. The new requirement is 17 inches. To support the changing standards, the reviewer recommends VA equipment, exam tables and chairs, and stretchers be as accessible as possible.

Eyes Stretchers must have at least a 700 Lb. capacity in keeping with the ever-growing patient population.

Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted: Market Research began with VetCert, which provided 933 potential vendors using NAICS Code 339113. In addition, the following sites were searched: SCMC, SAM, SCMC, GSA, FPDS, and eCMS, which resulted in no findings. The OEM, a SB vendor, Alpine Surgical Equipment, was contacted to see if there were additional vendors that could provide this equipment, and they stated there were not other vendors. Additionally, the ADA report was pulled to confirm that the height for the stretchers had been lowered from a 19 low transfer height range to a 17 low transfer height range permanently July 25, 2024. A search was then completed on stretchers that are on contract, which found that all stretchers did not meet these new ADA requirements. Also noted, the VA/SBA Rules of Two cannot be met with this requirement.

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.

_____//signed//______

LouAnn Gilliland

Contracting Officer