6550--NOI SS: BioFire Torch Analyzer Reagents

The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration Veterans Integrated Service Network 16 has issued a Special Notice announcing its intent to award a sole source contract for BioFire Torch Analyzer Reagents to BIOMERIEUX INC. The procurement is being conducted by the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Network Contracting Office 16 in Houston, Texas, under solicitation number 36C25625Q1540. The VA intends to issue a single award Firm-Fixed Price contract with a one-year base period plus four option years against an existing VA Federal Supply Schedule contract. The contract will provide various BioFire test panels and verification kits, including RP2.1 Panel, BCID2 Panel, GI Panel, ME Panel, Pneumo Panel, and Joint Infection Panel reagents. This procurement falls under NAICS code 325413 (In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing) with a small business size standard of 1,250 employees.

The purpose of this Special Notice is to announce the VA's intent to conduct a non-competitive acquisition based on their determination that only one reputable source can provide the required BioFire Torch Analyzer Reagents due to proprietary concerns and unique specifications. The statutory authority cited is FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B), which allows sole source awards when only one contractor is capable of providing supplies or services at the required quality level. Interested parties have until October 15, 2025, at 1:00 pm Central Time to submit information demonstrating their capability to provide equivalent services to contract specialist Shasta Britt via email. While this is positioned as a sole source procurement to BIOMERIEUX INC., the VA is providing an opportunity for other potential contractors to challenge this determination by demonstrating they can meet the specialized requirements. The contract will support diagnostic testing capabilities at the Houston-based VA medical facility, ensuring continued access to these specialized medical testing reagents.