Inactive

DESCRIPTION THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION ANNOUNCEMENT. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. This Request for Information (RFI) is intended for information and planning purposes only at this time; and... DESCRIPTION THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION ANNOUNCEMENT. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. This Request for Information (RFI) is intended for information and planning purposes only at this time; and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Because this is a Request for Information announcement, no evaluation letters and/or results will be issued to the respondents. This Sources Sought Notice is for market research purposes only and shall not be considered an Invitation for Bids, Request for Quotations, or a Request for Proposal. Do not submit a proposal or quote. This market research is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation nor does it restrict the Government as to the ultimate acquisition approach. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Additionally, there is no obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services described in this sources sought notice. You will not be entitled to payment for direct or indirect costs that you incur in responding to this Sources Sought Notice. Any contract that might be awarded based on information received or derived from this market research will be the outcome of a competitive process. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary, restricted or competition sensitive information contained in their response. No solicitation exists. Therefore, do not request a copy of a solicitation. See instructions on page 7. Tissue-Tek VIP AI 6 AI Tissue Processor (Brand Name Only) INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND: The Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 04, Philadelphia VA Medical Center Philadelphia, PA hereby referred to as the VAMC Philadelphia (642), is requesting the Brand Name only acquisition of the following: Two (2) SAKURA FINETEK 6040 Tissue-Tek VIP 6 AI Vacuum Infiltration Processor MAJOR REQUIREMENTS: The Contractor/ Vendor must complete the following tasks to meet the needs of this acquisition: ======================================================================== Draft Statement of Need for Tissue-Tek VIP 6 AI Tissue Processor at Philadelphia VA Medical Center-P&LMS 3900 Woodland Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19104-4551 Background DRAFT P&LMS requires two (2) Tissue-Tek VIP 6 AI Tissue Processors to be used in the processing of patient tissue specimens for diagnosis. This is required to prepare the patient tissue for sectioning after dissection (grossing) is performed. The tissue processor we are currently using as a primary instrument was acquired in 2003 and 2005 and is used daily without exception. Scope Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service wishes to obtain a one-time task order to procure the needed equipment. Objectives The equipment shall perform according to specifications. Tasks To meet the needs of P&LMS Approved for clinical use. Must be able to accommodate a variety of large tissue specimens and biopsy tissues without compromising quality and integrity of the patient tissue specimens. The processor must be able to be used as both a rapid and conventional and processor simultaneously and without microwave assistance. Must have the minimum capacity of no less than 100 cassettes per retort. Must also offer no restrictions or limitations with grossing requirements. Must have the flexibility to be used with Xylene and as a Xylene free processor. The equipment also must be able to use with conventional reagents or proprietary reagents and/or recycled Xylene and Alcohols. Must have a reliable and proven reagent management system for maintenance and reagent rotation. Installation and set-up of the instrument. Provide all accessories required for to completely function processors to include UPSs . Provide reagents required for the initial set up validation/optimization of the instruments Requirement Line Item Part No. Description Qty 0001 SAKURA FINETEK 6040 Tissue-Tek VIP 6 AI Vacuum Infiltration Processor 2 DRAFT Salient Characteristics 10 mixing modes -Effective yet gentle reagent agitation for excellent reagent penetration 2 bulk reservoirs-Convenient additional storage of fresh reagent with each holding up to 10.4 liters Automatic onboard mixing of reagents-Mixed reagent solutions enhance dehydration and defatting without extending protocols times, and automatically mixing specified reagents from the 2 bulk reservoirs onboard to create the mixed reagent solutions saves time and reduces opportunities for human error Solution Manager-Monitors reagent levels during operation and provides fresh reagent from the 2 bulk reagent reservoirs if needed for safe and worry-free processing Automatic solution transfer-Enables in-process transfer of up to two reagents and the paraffin to significantly reduce maintenance, saving both time and money Paraffin waste container-Makes the exchange and proper disposal of used paraffin safe, clean, and easy Automatic bottle check Verifies that all bottles are properly connected BEFORE a run starts to prevent errors before they happen Tissue-Tek/iSupport-The secure remote service ensures maximum uptime through fast reaction to instrument alerts by Sakura Finetek's professional technical support team Fume control system-Advanced filtering combines a fume condenser system and 2 disposable activated carbon filters to eliminate noxious fumes Automatic paraffin degassing-Aspirates evaporated clearing agent from the paraffin oven, keeping the paraffin clean while filtering harmful fumes Newly designed reagent manifold-Includes new fluid sensors offering an improved solution detecting function that helps safeguard against unexpected user errors Color-coded drain & fill ports-Simplifies the safe exchange of reagents onto the instrument DRAFT Ergonomic retort latch with electronic interlock-Seal, lock and protect the retort from being opened during operation simply and operable one-handed Heated retort lid-Eliminates retort condensation Heated cleaning reagent station-Provides excellent deparaffinization and cleaning of the retort between processes High-resolution color touch screen-Easy to see, operate, and monitor the instrument LED-lit reagent cabinet -Allows for quick visual observation of reagent levels Up to 50 user-defined programs-Offers plenty of versatility to created the processing program that is best suited for the needs of the laboratory 3 user-defined cleaning cycles-Provides effective cleaning options for different workflows 150- or 300-cassette capacity configurations-Flexible options for both small or large runs for efficient use of reagents Two level options for password protection-Complete instrument and information security with admin control over what screens or features are accessible to users Optional xylene-free processing-Allows for the use of less hazardous reagent alternatives The vendor must provide training both on site and in their facility for 2 personnel. Assistance with validation/optimization and training of additional persons on site must also be provided during installation of the equipment with no cost to the Medical Center. Delivery The equipment must be delivered to the Philadelphia VA Medical Center no later than September 30, 2021. Government Furnished Property N/A Security Requirements There are no IT security requirements. Place of Performance Department of Veterans Affairs Philadelphia VAMC-P&LMS 3900 Woodland Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19104-4551 Period of Performance One-time procurement of equipment. End of Draft Statement of Need ======================================================================== The Government and the Contractor understand and agree that the services to be delivered under this contract by the Contractor to the Government are non-personal services and the parties recognize and agree that no employer-employee or master-servant relationships exist or will exist under the contract between the Government and the Contractor s employees. POINT OF CONTACT (POC): The identified POC and technical representative for this acquisition is: Name: Evelyn Bennett Phone Number: 215-823-5800 x204683 Email: evelyn.bennett@va.gov "No Government personnel, other than the Contracting Officer, have the authority to change or alter these requirements. The COR shall clarify technical points or supply relevant technical information, but no requirements in this scope of work may be altered as a sole result of such verbal clarification." REPORTS/DELIVERABLES: Delivery confirmation of equipment and commodities will be made through the Logistics Department of the VAMC Philadelphia (642). This will include documentation of receipt and assignment of a facility based EE number for identification and tracking purposes. Delivery confirmation of non-equipment/ commodities acquisitions is the responsibility of the receiving Facility and/ or Service. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION INSTRUCTIONS: The information identified above is intended to be descriptive, not restrictive and to indicate the quality of the supplies/services that will be satisfactory. It is the responsibility of the interested source to demonstrate to the government that the interested parties can provide the supplies/services that fulfill the required specifications mentioned above. Responses to this RFI should include company name, address, point of contact, phone number, and point of contact e-mail, DUNS Number, Cage Code, size of business pursuant to North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) 339112 (size standard of 1000 employees). Please answer the following questions: Please indicate the size status and representations of your business, such as but not limited to: Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), Hubzone, Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), Large Business, etc.)? Is your company considered small under the NAICS code identified under this RFI? Are you the manufacturer, distributor, or an equivalent solution to the items being referenced above? If not, can you provide additional information shown below. This is to confirm compliance with the non-manufacturer rule IAW 13 CFR 121.406(b) Nonmanufacturers. Does your company exceed 500 employees; Primarily engaged in the retail or wholesale trade and normally sells the type of item being supplied; Take ownership or possession of the item(s) with its personnel, equipment or facilities in a manner consistent with industry practice; Obtained an individual or class waiver? If you are a large business, do you have any designated distributors? If so, please provide their company name, telephone, point of Contact and size status (if available). If you re a small business and you are an authorized distributor/reseller for the items identified above or an equivalent solution, do you alter; assemble; modify; the items requested in any way? If you do, state how and what is altered; assembled; modified? If you intend to subcontract any work on this contract, what portion of the total cost will be self-performed/will be performed by your organization? Please provide estimated detailed percentage breakdowns related to subcontracted work and completion of job. Does your company have an FSS contract with GSA or the NAC or are you a contract holder with any other federal contract? If so, please provide the contract number. If you are an FSS GSA/NAC contract holder or other federal contract holder, are the items/solution you are providing information for available on your schedule/contract? General pricing of your products/solution is encouraged. Pricing will be used for the purpose of market research only. It will not be used to evaluate for any type of award. Please submit your capabilities in regard to the salient characteristics detailed above and any information pertaining to equal to items to establish capabilities for planning purposes? Please review salient characteristics/statement of work (if applicable) and provide feedback or suggestions. If none, please reply as N/A. Please provide your DUNS number. This RFI will be conducted in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Responses must be received via e-mail to allan.tabliago@va.gov no later than, 16:30 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on December 17, 2021. This notice will help the VA in determining available potential sources only. Do not contact VA Medical Center staff regarding this requirement, as they are not authorized to discuss this matter related to this procurement action. All questions will be addressed by the Contracting Specialist, Allan Tabliago. Questions or responses will include the Source Sought number in the subject line. All firms responding to this Request for Information are advised that their response is not a request for proposal, therefore will not be considered for a contract award. Any interested business concern must submit a no longer that 10-page capability statement addressing its ability to meet the requirements listed above to Capability Statement shall include a statement regarding how the business concern is engaged in wholesale trade and normally sells the item being supplied and how the business concern will take ownership of the items being delivered. Vendors shall also provide certification, evidence that they are an authorized distributor of the Original Equipment Manufacturer. If a solicitation is issued, information will be posted on the SAM web site for all qualified interested parties at a later date and interested parties must respond to the solicitation to be considered for award. This notice does not commit the government to contract for any supplies or services. The government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this Request for Information. Information will only be accepted in writing by e-mail to Contracting Officer at allan.tabliago@va.gov. DISCLAIMER This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.