6550--COVID 19 Alinity M Reagents/Consumables

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION UNDER SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ITEMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAR 13.5

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C246-21-AP-1569

Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 06, Durham VA Medical Center, Network Contracting Office 6, Purchase Request no. 558-21-2-2173-0123

Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Processed: The Contracting Officer seeks to solicit and award a new firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract.

Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency s Needs: The proposed action is to provide reagents and consumables for the Alinity M system manufactured by Abbott Molecular. The consumables will allow the Durham VAMC to test for SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1, and sexually transmitted infections.

The total estimated value of the proposed action is $XXX for the period of performance of 02-15-2021 to 02-14-2022.

Statutory Authority Permitting Restricted Competition:Â

FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items. The statutory authority for applying the Simplified Procedures for Commercial Items of FAR 13.5 is 41 U.S.C. § 1901 and is implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(2) for restricting competition on this procurement.  Competition is restricted on this procurement for the reason below:

       ( ) Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements

       ( X ) Unusual and Compelling Urgency

       ( )  Industrial Mobilization, Engineering, Developmental or Research Capability or Expert Services

       ( ) International Agreement

       ( ) Authorized or Required by Statute

       ( ) National Security

       ( ) Public Interest

Demonstration that the Contractor s Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority): Durham VAMC owns the Abbott Alinity M system which is used for COVID-19 testing and there is no contract in place for these consumables. There is an urgent need to place this contract so that Durham VAMC can continue doing COVID-19 tests. The contract will be for one year in order to allow time to prepare and solicit a contract with option years. Abbott Molecular provided a letter stating that they are the sole source for the consumables for their proprietary Alinity M system and they have no partnerships with small business to provide the requested items.

Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable: There is no competition anticipated for this acquisition. Abbott Molecular is the original equipment manufacturer and no other vendor is authorized to distribute Alinity M system consumables.

Determination by the CO that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: Contracting Officer will compare pricing the proposed price.

Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted: Correspondence was sent to equipment manufacturer, Abbott Molecular, to determine if they have partnerships with any small business for the distribution of consumables for their proprietary Alinity M system. Abbott responded all consumables for the Alinity M are only available thru Abbott Molecular.

Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: None.

Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: None.

A Statement of the Actions, if any, the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome any Barriers to Competition before Making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required: The Contracting Officer and acquisition team will continue to conduct market research in order to overcome any barriers to competition. Awarded contract 36C24621P0587 to ABBOTT MOLECULAR INC. for 2085119.03000000 on 2021-02-10.