Alcon Vitreoretinal Cataract System (VCS)

The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Integrated Service Network 16 is procuring two ALCON UNITY VCS (Vitreoretinal Cataract System) units, specialized ophthalmic surgical equipment designed for both anterior segment phacoemulsification and posterior segment pars plana vitrectomy procedures. The VCS features Intelligent Fluidics Functionality that maintains consistent intraocular pressure during surgery while enabling higher average vacuum during lens removal. Key contract requirements include supply, installation, and all necessary electrical interfacing; complimentary training for all staff members; submission of a projected delivery schedule addressing system verification, manufacture/assembly, delivery, and installation milestones; and government acceptance testing conducted in the presence of the Contracting Officer's Representative and designated ophthalmology staff. Contractors must be registered in SAM.gov and provide an authorized distributor letter to be eligible for award, with all products meeting salient characteristics for the ALCON brand. The offer due date is April 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM CDT, with questions to be submitted no later than March 31, 2026, at 10:00 AM CST, and award contemplated for March 24, 2026.

This solicitation carries no set-aside designation and is designated as unrestricted to maximize future competition. The VA justified this procurement as a sole source acquisition under 41 USC 3304(a)(1), citing that Alcon is the only manufacturer offering both anterior and posterior surgical capabilities in a single machine and that space constraints at the medical center prevent installation of multiple different brands; market research yielded only one response from an authorized Alcon distributor. The contract type is Firm-Fixed-Price with payment via electronic funds transfer to the VA's e-Invoice Payment system. Delivery is required 60 days after order (ARO 60 Days) to the Receiving Warehouse Building 100 at Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas, located at 2002 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77030. The NAICS code is 339112 (Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing) with a size standard of 1,000 employees.