6640--Intent to sole source - Upgrade of existing PCR Systems

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Providence VA, intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, pursuant to FAR 6.302-1, with Life Technologies Corporation, for an upgrade of two existing PCR systems to the QuantStudio 6 Pro Real-Time PCR systems. The two existing systems will be traded in for the upgraded systems. No other vendor could provide the same upgrade as both systems are manufactured through Thermo Fisher and the trade-in to upgrade is only available through Life Technologies, a part of Thermo Fisher Scientific. The equipment is heavily used, and this upgrade is critical to continue VA research. No other vendor can provide this equipment as the trade in to upgrade the systems is only available through Life Technologies Corp, a part of Thermo Fisher Scientific. This is a notice of intent and is not a request for competitive quotes; however, any responsible source who can provide an the same equipment as a system upgrade may submit a capability statement to the contracting office no later than May 3rd, 7AM, EST. Interest/capability statements may be sent to Lynn Portman at lynn.portman@va.gov. No telephone responses will be accepted. A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.