6632--Notice of Intent to Sole Source Cepheid GeneExpert Rental and Associated Services

The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Integrated Service Network 16 issued a Notice of Intent to Sole Source with Cepheid for instrument rental and associated services, with a response deadline of October 19, 2026. The Alexandria VA Medical Center in Pineville, Louisiana and five associated Community-Based Outpatient Clinics in Lafayette, Lake Charles, Jennings, Natchitoches, and Fort Polk, Louisiana require a three-year firm-fixed-price contract for equipment rental and maintenance. This is a large-business sole-source procurement; Cepheid is the original equipment manufacturer of the required GeneExpert molecular diagnostic instruments.

The contract covers one base year (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) at $165,989.64 per year, plus two one-year option years. The contractor shall provide lease and comprehensive maintenance services for six Cepheid instruments (four Xpress IV-4 units, one IV Four Module Desktop, and one XVI R2 16 Module Desktop), six printers, and two uninterruptible power supplies. Obligations include equipment delivery and installation within 60 calendar days of award, 24/7 technical support, onsite repairs within four business days, annual preventative maintenance, software updates, and factory-trained field service engineers. The contractor retains title and bears all repair and replacement costs except normal wear and misuse-unrelated damage. A Business Associate Agreement will be required due to contractor access to protected health information.

Interested parties may submit clear and convincing evidence by October 19, 2026 that competition would benefit the government. Responses must demonstrate capability to provide equivalent hardware and services, include OEM authorization documentation, and address eleven specified information requirements. The anticipated award date is November 2, 2026. Alan Scanio (alan.scanio@va.gov) is the point of contact.