6640--Nanostring GeoMx/nCounter System

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification and Approval (J&A)

For

Other Than Full and Open Competition (>SAT)

Acquisition Plan Action ID:_36C246-21-AP-0738

Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 06, NCO-6, VAMC

Hampton Medical Center is the contracting agency and Hunter Holmes, VAMC Richmond

is the organizational (requiring) activity for the proposed contracting action. The is a

Justification and approval for a sole source award under Transaction# 652-21-1-039-0161.

Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Processed: This is a new requirement, to

be awarded on a sole source basis. The proposed procurement vehicle is a sole source, firmfixed

price one time procurement..

Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agencyâ s Needs: The proposed

action is to obtain a GEOMX/nCounter Analysis system. This equipment allows the clinical

investigator multiple analyses at once (DNA/RNA/Protein) and from one sample. Current

measurement methods are becoming outdated with new innovative equipment, like GEOMX

are being manufactured. This system meets the need for high levels of precision and

sensitivity for analysis, and it does this in as little as 15 minutes hands-on time. Compared to

the current methods, this equipment processes the analysis in less time with more accuracy.

All stakeholders, especially our veterans patients will benefit from this equipment which is

instrumental in finding treatment of many metabolic diseases. This system will not only

benefit the VAâ s Lipid Research Group but other divisions in our VA Healthcare system.

Understanding gene expression reveals information required to treat metabolic diseases such

as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, cholestatic liver disease, diabetes

and cardiovascular disease. Metabolic research has become a VA research priority, since

many veterans are diagnosed and have succumed to these diseases. This is a one-time

deliverable.

Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition:

( X ) (1) Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy

Agency Requirements per 41 USC §3304(a)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1;

( ) (2) Unusual and Compelling Urgency per 41 USC §3304(a)(2) as implemented by FAR

6.302-2;

( ) (3) Industrial Mobilization, Engineering, Developmental or Research Capability

or Expert Services per 41 USC §3304(a)(3) as implemented by FAR 6.302-3;

( ) (4) International Agreement per 41 USC §3304(a)(4) as implemented by FAR 6.302-4

( ) (5) Authorized or Required by Statute per 41 USC §3304(a)(5) as implemented by FAR

6.302-5;

( ) (6) National Security per 41 USC §3304(a)(6) as implemented by FAR 6.302-6;

( ) (7) Public Interest per 41 USC §3304(a)(7) as implemented by FAR 6.302-7;

Demonstration that the Contractorâ s Unique Qualifications or Nature of the

Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority):

Only One Responsible Source (FAR 6.302-1) â Nanostring Technonologies is the

sole manufacturer and exclusive service provider for GEOMX/nCounter system. There is no

system on the market with the examination capablilities of the GEOMX/nCounter system.

Nanostringâ s GeoMS®Digital Spatial Profiling technology can detect and quantify proteins

and RNA at significantly higher plex with spatial resolution. Nanostring is the only

manufacturer that can provide the system and supplies. Nanostring has no authorized

distributors or service personnel for this system.

Unusual and Compelling Urgency (FAR 6.302-2, 6.303-2(a)(9)(ii))

Industrial Mobilization; or Engineering, Developmental, or Research Capability

(FAR 6.302-3) -

Authorized or Required by Statute (FAR 6.302-5)

National Security (FAR 6.302-6)

Public Interest (FAR 6.302-7)

6. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential

sources as deemed practicable:

Sources Sought Synopsis: On 12/14/2020 an â Intent to Sole Source⠝ synopsis was issued

under RFI#36C24621Q0163. The request was for Nanostring Technologies

GEOMX/nCounter Analysis System. 0 responses were received. VIP, SAM, DSBS, FPDS,

usaspending.gov, NAC, SAC and contractdirectory.gov was accessed as part of the market

research. There were no responses to these efforts using NAICS code 334516 and/or

keyword(s) â GEOMX/nCounter system⠝.

7. Determination by the CO that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and

Reasonable: CO will use award information from other contracts to other government

facilities for the same and similar items to determine price reasonableness.

8. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the

Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted: As described in Section 6 above, market

research, in accordance with FAR Part 10, was conducted by synopsis of the proposed

acquisition, advising industry of the pending acquisition and soliciting inquiries from

interested parties.

9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: none

10. Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition:

Nanostring Technologies has shown interest in this acquisiton.

11. A Statement of the Actions, if any, the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome any

Barriers to Competition before Making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or

services required: No action(s) have been taken or will be taken to foster competition for

future acquisitions of the supplies or services being acquired. This is a complex

manufacturer specific system that cannot be duplicated nor should be duplicated for the sake

of competition.

13. Approvals in accordance with the VHAPM Part 806.3 OFOC SOP:

Contracting Officer or Designeeâ s Certification (required): I certify that the

foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

One Level Above the Contracting Officer (Required over SAT but not exceeding

$700K): I certify the justification meets requirements for other than full and open

competition.

_____________________________ ________________________

Jay James

Branch Chief, Supply Team IV Date

NCO-6, Hampton

_____________________________ ________________________

Keeshia Newman Date

Division Chief, NCO-6,

RPO-EAST, Hampton Awarded contract 36C24621P0734 to NANOSTRING TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for 560330.00000000 on 2021-03-19.