6525--Pentero 800 S

The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration Veterans Integrated Service Network 8 has issued a special notice announcing their intent to sole source a Carl Zeiss Pentero 800 surgical microscope for the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital. The procurement is classified under NAICS code 334510 (Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing) and PSC code 6525 (Imaging Equipment And Supplies: Medical, Dental, Veterinary). The agency has determined that this specialized surgical microscope offers superior features that will significantly enhance their ability to provide healthcare to veterans in their Otolaryngology section. Carl Zeiss has identified ProAim Americas, a small business, as their exclusive authorized distributor for the Pentero 800 model. The solicitation number for this procurement is 36C24825Q1101, and it represents a direct award opportunity without competitive bidding.

The primary purpose of this notice is to inform the contracting community of the VA's intent to proceed with a non-competitive procurement while providing an opportunity for other vendors to challenge this approach. Interested parties have until August 21, 2025, to submit responses via email to Marcus.Lewis2@va.gov, with no telephone inquiries permitted. Vendors who believe they can provide equivalent equipment are invited to submit capabilities statements with clear and convincing evidence that competition would benefit the government. The response must demonstrate by a preponderance of evidence that another contractor can fulfill the service contract requirements for the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital. The agency emphasizes that the final decision to pursue non-competitive procurement rests solely with the government, and all submissions should focus on presenting compelling arguments for why competitive bidding would be advantageous.