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THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY. This is NOT a solicitation, but market research to determine potential sources. laboratory instrument that can automate our MRSA surveillance testing, vagin... THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY. This is NOT a solicitation, but market research to determine potential sources. laboratory instrument that can automate our MRSA surveillance testing, vaginal panels, and Chlamydia Trichomonas/Neisseria Gonorrhea panels (CT/NG panels) and performs nucleic acid extraction and real-time PCR. This is for the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center (PVAMC). This notice does not constitute a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. Further, we are not at this time seeking proposals; therefore, DO NOT request a copy of a solicitation or submit a proposal as a result of this notice. Responders are advised the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this source sought and that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All costs associated with responding to this source sought will be solely at the responding party's expense. Not responding to this source sought does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, should one be issued. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. No basis for claim against the Government shall arise from a response to the notice. It is the responsibility of the interested parties to monitor the SAM.gov website or eBUY for additional information pertaining to this source sought. RESPONSE INFORMATION: STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) 1. Background. The VAMC Pittsburgh Laboratory, looking for laboratory instrument that can automate our MRSA surveillance testing, vaginal panels, and Chlamydia Trichomonas/Neisseria Gonorrhea panels (CT/NG panels) and performs nucleic acid extraction and real-time PCR. 2. Scope. The contract includes all of the costs associated with performing automated molecular MRSA screening testing, vaginal panels, and CT/NG testing for the intent of purchasing a fully automated platform that performs nucleic acid extraction and real-time PCR. For the use of purchased reagents and disposables the contract provides all the required hardware to perform the necessary methodologies. It is the intent of the VA Pittsburgh to establish a reagent rental style contract such as the cost of loaning the instrument is incorporated in the cost of reagents. The VA will not own the equipment and at the end of the contract the equipment will be removed by the vendor. System equipment will not be delivered to VA Pittsburgh Molecular department until after initial kick off call with VA Pittsburgh Biomedical Engineering team to determine any type of information technology or supply needs to maintain new equipment. This contract is specifically for the use of the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center Molecular section only. 3. Specific Tasks. This contract is required to provide pricing for all necessary consumables required to perform molecular MRSA screening, vaginal panel testing that detects bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and trichomoniasis and CT/NG testing nucleic acid extraction and real-time PCR testing, including quality control materials. These items will be permitted to be ordered as needed by the Pittsburgh VA. The system must be capable of yielding high quality nucleic acid extractions from a variety of sample types to include but not limited to urine, plasma, whole blood, sputum, and samples in transport media. The system must integrate and automate the sample extraction, amplification and reading functions of our MRSA, vaginal panels, and CT/NG testing in a simple sample and result out workflow. The desired system would permit the ability to utilize one platform for MRSA, vaginal panels that detects bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and trichomoniasis and CT/NG testing by nucleic acid extraction and real time PCR. This instrument must be a compact instrument with measurements of no larger than 95cm (W) x80cm (D) x80cm (H) so that it can reside on a bench top. The system must include a monitor, keyboard, and bar code scanner. The system must have the ability to integrate into the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare LIS system and must have Windows 10 software or above. The instrument must be able to be interfaced with middle ware Instrument Manager and laboratory information system 4.1 Task 1 Technical and Field Service 4.1.1 Subtask 1 Technical Service. Provide technical and functional courses of action to remedy minor trouble shooting that can be accomplished by the technologist within 30 minutes. 24-hour Technical Support is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. 4.1.2 Subtask 2 Field Service. Included in this Task is the requirement that Field service will be performed Mon-Fri and that all issues will be resolved within a 24-hour time frame from the time service is required. Field service is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M., EST. Task 2 Kit Configurations To maximize sample processing efficiency, it is required that the vendor provide the ability for the ordering institution to obtain kit configurations. Deliverables: The following routine consumables are ordered as needed. BD Catalog number Description Qty needed per year (annual kit volume) 443461 Kit BD MAX MRSA XT 432 443904 Kit BD MAX CT/GC/TV 2 29 443712 Kit BD MAX Vaginal Panel 31 437519 Cartridge BD MAX PCR 24 EA 24 Responses to this Sources Sought Notice must be received no later than 9:00 AM EST, on Tuesday, 25 April 2023. Responses should be emailed to: debra.willard@va.gov It is the responsibility of the respondent to ensure their email has been received PRIOR to the deadline. Responses and/or inquiries WILL NOT be accepted past the deadline. Interested parties should include their Company Name, Address, Point of Contact, Phone Number, Email, SAM Unique Entity ID, Cage Code, Socio-Economic Category (i.e., SDVOSB, VOSB, HUBZone, etc.) and Capability Statement specific to the technical requirements. All interested parties must provide a response containing a written statement, confirming they can comply with the government needs. Information should include past and/or current contracts for the same requirements and any other compelling evidence to help the government determine your company s capability. All responders to this Sources Sought Notice understand, by submitting this written statement, they are certifying they can meet ALL criteria. The anticipated Small Business Administration (SBA) size standard for the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 325413. 1. Responses Requested: The following questions must be answered in response to this RFI. Answers that are not provided shall be considered non-responsive to the RFI: a. Where are the requested items/equipment manufactured? Vendor must attach documentation of this information to be viewed by the government to be considered as part of the Market Research and responsiveness to this Sources Sought notice Vendor must attach documentation of this to be viewed by the government to be considered as part of the Market Research and responsiveness to this Sources Sought notice c. Is the Vendor an authorized distributor services which may be required in performance of this requirement? The VA does not accept grey market items and therefore the Vendor must attach evidence of this access (Authorized Distributor letter) to be viewed by the government to be considered as part of the Market Research and responsiveness to this Sources Sought notice. d. Name of potential Contractor that possess the capability to fulfill this requirement. Contractors shall also provide the following: Point(s) of contact name: _______________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________ Telephone number: ___________________________________________ Email address: _______________________________________________ Company's business size: ________________________________________________ Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) #: _______________________________ e. Is your company considered a small business concern, SB, SDVOSB, VOSB, HUBZone, or 8A concern, with the requisite 325413 NAICS code? Please provide proof of qualifications. f. Is your company available under any Government Wide Agency Contract (GWAC), General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), and/or Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA)? If so, please identify the contract number for the Government to review as part of this Market Research. 2. Opportunity/Market Pricing: The PVAMC is seeking information from potential vendors on their ability to provide the required items/service. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. Small Business Concerns are encouraged to provide responses to this RFI in order to assist the PVAMC in determining potential levels of competition and general market pricing available in the industry. Therefore, vendors are requested to submit estimated market research pricing along with their responses to the above. The estimated pricing will be considered when determining the procurement strategy for the forthcoming solicitation. 3. Instructions and Response Guidelines: Questions regarding this RFI shall be submitted no later than 9:00AM (EST), April 25, 2023, via email to debra.willard@va.gov no phone calls excepted. 4. Contact Information: Debra Willard debra.willard@va.gov Your response to this notice is greatly appreciated!