Intent to Sole Source health monitoring/diagnostic testing of research animals

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The Department of Veterans Affairs, San Francisco VA Medical Center intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, pursuant to FAR 6.302-1, with IDEXX for health monitoring and diagnostic testing services for research animals such as necropsy, serology, PCR, pathology, clinical pathology, phenotyping and genotyping. IDEXX has two unique characteristics required by the VA including the PCR testing method and direct animal sampling collection technique. First, the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test detects pathogens at the DNA level, making it the most accurate and precise form of testing and switching to a protein-based system may increase the likelihood of having to eliminate certain animals that are actually health which over time can significantly alter the overall populations within the colonies and any scientific data that may come out with regards to any of those colonies. Secondly, IDEXX runs their tests using biological samples taken directly from the sentinel animal (blood, feces, fur swab). The VA cannot use an air collection technique called EAD (exhaust air dust) which comes from the animal rooms because the EAD method requires a certain cage rack system which the VA does not have. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals; however, any responsible source who believes it is capable of meeting the requirement may submit a capability statement to the contracting office no later than Friday, April 8 at 4:00, 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..