6640--Intent to Sole Source: Cardiac Slice System

The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration Network Contracting Office 1 intends to award a sole source contract to IonOptix LLC for procurement of a Cardiac Slice System to be located at the VA Medical Center in Providence, Rhode Island. The system will support cardiac research by analyzing mechanical performance of heart tissues through pressure-volume loops and simultaneous calcium and force measurements, with capabilities to acquire mechanical work loop data and characterize cardiac tissue elastance and compliance. The VA has determined that IonOptix LLC is the exclusive vendor for this specialized scientific equipment under FAR 6.302.1-1, citing only one responsible source that can satisfy the agency's requirements. This pre-solicitation notice indicates no formal solicitation will be posted to SAM.gov due to the sole source nature of the procurement. Interested parties must submit responses by September 15, 2025, no later than 10:00 AM EST, and may contact the Contracting Specialist at andrew.simard@va.gov for additional information.

No set-aside designation has been applied to this procurement opportunity. IonOptix LLC, located at 396 University Avenue in Westwood, Massachusetts, has been identified as the intended sole source contractor for this acquisition. The procurement falls under NAICS code 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) with a size standard of 1,000 employees and Product Service Code 6640 for Laboratory Equipment and Supplies. The equipment will be installed in Building 35's wet lab area at the Providence VA Medical Center to support the facility's cardiac research objectives. While specific contract values and timelines for equipment delivery and installation are not disclosed in this pre-solicitation notice, the specialized nature of the cardiac slice system suggests this is a significant procurement for advanced research infrastructure.