6640--electroforce test bench system

SPECIAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

ELECTROFORCE TEST BENCH SYSTEM

The Department of Veterans Affairs Cleveland Medical Center (CLE VAMC), 10701 East Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44106 intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.106(b)(1)(i) - Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available. The NAICS code is 334510 with a small business size standard of 1,250. The VA intends to solicit and negotiate with TA instruments-Waters LLC, 159 Lukens Drive, New Castle, DE 19720, for Gene Panels and Reagents, for an ElectroForce test BenchSystem.

The Research Department requires an ElectroForce TestBench. The ElectroForce TestBench System is a replacement of the current EnduraTEC TestBench purchased in ~2008 for testing of the neural networked prostheses (NNP) materials and components. Originally a division under Bose ElectroForce, the company is now owned by TA Instruments - Waters, LLC and they will no longer support or even calibrate the pneumatic-based modular test system (confirmed as of last month). The replacement system is significantly improved with magnetically driven electric linear motors, ease of control and tuning, and will include 400N axial/5.64 torsional actuators, 8-channel capability to run multiple tests simultaneously, bath to accommodate solution-based fatigue testing, the newest WinTest software, and the ability to add additional actuators if needed in the future. Capability will include microscale tension, compression, torsion, bending all static and fatigue options in dry or wet environments. Without a replacement system, there is increasing risk that a software or hardware failure will leave us without this capability. This capability is valuable to obtain early reliability data on materials and devices to support grants and/or FDA IDEs.

Attached, please find the following:

Quotation with Authorized distributor letter

Brochure

Salient characteristics

Specification sheet

Other persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement by Monday, May 22, 2023, at 5PM EST. Such capabilities information will be used solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis.  All information shall be furnished at no cost or obligation to the Government. A determination by the Government not to open the requirement to competition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. No solicitation is available at this time. All inquiries must be submitted by email to Rachelle Hamer at rachelle.hamer@va.gov.

Enter RFQ 36C25023Q0711| ElectroForce Test BenchSystem in the email subject line.