6640--notice of intent to sole source - illumina reagents

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration Veterans Integrated Service Network 23, specifically the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, intends to award a sole source, Firm Fixed Price contract to Illumina, Inc. for specialized molecular testing reagents used in next-generation sequencing. The procurement focuses on specific reagents including AmpliSeq Myeloid Panel, AmpliSeq Library PLUS, AmpliSeq UD Index, and MiniSeq Mid-Output Kits, which will support the agency's Oncology Strategic Initiative for DNA and RNA sequencing. Interested parties capable of meeting the government's requirements may submit a capability statement by January 10, 2025, at 16:30 PM CST, electronically to Traci Johannes at traci.johannes@va.gov. Respondents must provide their Unique Entity Identification Number (UEI), Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and documentation proving they are an authorized distributor/reseller. All offerors must maintain an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM).

The contract is not set aside for any specific business category, and Illumina is identified as the sole manufacturer and distributor of these specific reagents. Importantly, three of the four reagents are manufactured in the United States, with one produced in Singapore. The procurement falls under NAICS code 325413 (In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing) and PSC 6640 (Laboratory Equipment And Supplies). While the contract will have a base period with four option years, specific award values were not explicitly detailed in the documentation. The Contracting Officer noted that the 7% price increase is higher than the typical 2-5% range for laboratory supplies, but emphasized there are no alternative sources for these Illumina-specific reagents. The government retains sole discretion in determining whether to compete the proposed contract based on responses received.