Army Medical Vitrectomy Instructment

 In accordance with 10 USC 3205 as executed by FAR13.501(a)(iv)—Brand name acquisition   with only one responsible vendor, Health Readiness Contracting Organization (HRCO), intends to award a purchase order to Oertli Instruments. Anterior Vitrectomy Systems, ancillary items, consumables, repair parts, repair trainings, user trainings, and manuals assembled by Oertli Instruments Inc. to complete the fielding requirement of having (9) nine ophthalmology systems for the Army. The requirement is crucial in supporting optometrists by removing vitreous bodies, other fluids, and debris from patients’ eyes in austere environments found within the Army Role of Care 3 environment. The requirement includes unique equipment required for the United States Army Command to accomplish retention of eyesight through ocular surgery. This requirement of (5) five systems/orders is to complete the fielding requirement for the Army through a one-time delivery. Given these unique requirements, the CataRHex 3 system, a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) item offered by Oertli Instruments Inc., is identified as the only system capable of meeting the Army’s unique needs of portability, mobility, and being trauma- focused operative. The CataRHex 3 system is lightweight (37.19 lbs.), compact (2.4 cubic feet), and self-contained, with an onboard compressor that eliminates the need for external compressed air. The system is specifically designed for use in rigorous environments, making it uniquely qualified to fulfill the Army’s requirements. Oertli vitrectomy system machines are proprietary to this specific vendor.  This announcement establishes the only synopsis for this requirement; and is issued for notification purposes only.  No known potential alternative sources exist that could satisfy the requirement. 

 The Government intends to procure from only one source under the authority Title 41 U.S.C. §1901(e)(2)- “Special Rules for Commercial Products and Commercial Services” as implemented in FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii),”Special Documentation Requirements” notice of  the property or service(s) needed by the agency are available from only one responsible source or only from a limited number of responsible sources and no other type of property or services will satisfy the need of the agency.

Any interested party that believes it can meet the requirement described herein may identify themselves and must provide evidence of their capability to fulfill the requirement being requested by 4:00 PM CST on 29 August 2025.  Responses must be submitted in writing to contract specialist; Linda McGhee Linda.a.mcghee.civ@health.mil and contracting officer Arturo Castro; Arturo.castro8.civ@health.mil  no later than the time and date noted.  Telephone responses and requests will not be accepted.

A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.  Information received will be considered solely for the purposes of determining whether to conduct future competitive procurement for similar requirements.

The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this effort is 339112 and the business size standard is 1000.