Inactive

1. Tissue Embedder Center 2. Purpose: The Michael E. Debakey Veteran Affairs Medical Center (MEDVAMC) hereby issues the following Sources Sought to Request Information (RFI) with the intent of determi... 1. Tissue Embedder Center 2. Purpose: The Michael E. Debakey Veteran Affairs Medical Center (MEDVAMC) hereby issues the following Sources Sought to Request Information (RFI) with the intent of determining the interest, capabilities, and qualifications of potential businesses. This RFI is to seek contractors with the capability to provide Tissue Embedder that is name brand or equal to suggested manufacturer Thermofisher Histostar Embedding Center with Magnifier assembly (Catalog A81000002 and A81010032). Contractor shall provide all installation, shipping, equipment, personnel, labor, training and testing for equipment. This Request Information (RFI) is published for market research purposes and budgetary pricing. This Request Information (RFI) will be used to determine if a set-aside for any small business program is appropriate. Proposed project anticipates competitive, firm fixed price contract. Please review this announcement, including all attachments, in their entirety. Request that interested offerors complete and return a capabilities statement, literature, budgetary pricing and authorization letter as described below. The Government is in no way obligated to do business with or to enter into any form of contract with any person, firm or other entity that receives or responds to this announcement. 3. Objective: To find qualified and certified contractors with the capability to provide Thermofisher Histostar Embedding Center with Magnifier assembly (Catalog A81000002 and A81010032) that is name brand or equal to suggested manufacturer Thermofisher. (See Draft SOW). The requirement consisting of the following Name Brand or Equal products that includes but not limited to: SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS Tissue Embedder comparable to: Thermofisher Histostar Embedding Center with Magnifier assembly (Catalog A81000002 and A81010032). Specifications/Salient Characteristics Table Top Instrument Dimensions not to exceed: 48 in. W x 25 in. D x 18 in. H Unit must consist of a Cryogenic (Cold) side and an Embedding station Operating temperatures: range must be at least 50°C to 70°C not to exceed 80°C Paraffin tank: Capacity to hold at least 4 liters of melted paraffin Heated covered holding area must fit at least 50 blocks Cooling holding area must fit at least 50 blocks Enhanced lighting over specimen embedding area Electronic display of temperature in paraffin melting bath Must have movable magnifier over embedding area Must operate on 110 V, 50-60 Hz Must have a power cord Cold plate must be at least -10 degrees 4. Place of Performance: Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System (SLVHCS) Anatomic Pathology Laboratory, Room 4F139, 2400 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119. 5. Responses Requested: The MEDVAMC requires all the following questions answered in this RFI: Questions that are not provided shall be considered non-responsive to the Request for Information and contractor shall not be considered as part of the market research. A. Contractors shall provide their point(s) of contact name, address, telephone number, and email address; and the company's business size, and Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number. B. Is your company a small business, SDBs, HUBZone, or 8A concern? Please provide proof of qualifications. C. Is your company considered small under the NAICS code 339112? D. Provide in your capability statement: (1) Demonstrated ability to meet all of the requirement/salient characteristics listed if other than brand name product is being offered (2) a list of active contracts for commercial, federal, state, and local governments. Listed contracts shall provide communication on the government requirement illustrating the capability for comparison. E. Is your company available under any; Government Wide Agency Contract (GWAC) General Services Administration Schedules (GSA) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) If so, please list the contract number and a brief summary of the products and services provided. Provide a short summary of your potential approach to this type of contract and meeting the specific requirements and your experience managing similar contracts with similar requirements for the MEDVAMC. F. Are you the manufacturer or a distributor of the items being researched above? G. If you re a small business and you are an authorized distributor/reseller for the items identified above, do you alter; assemble; modify; the items requested in any way? H. Are you an authorized distributor/reseller? Provide evidence from original equipment manufacturer (OEM). I. What is your schedule of delivery after receipt of order? J. Do you possess the capability to provide parts within 24 hours? K. What is your warranty period? L. Do you possess the capability to provide offsite training of two BioMedical engineering staff in maintenance and repair of the unit being procured? M. Do you possess the capability and authorization to provide annual services for the procured equipment N. What is your estimated pricing for product and service being requested.? The estimated pricing is not considered the final price, only budgetary information purposes for the government. 6. Opportunity: The MEDVAMC, is seeking information from potential contractors on their ability to provide this service. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. Small Business Concerns are encouraged to provide responses to this RFI in order to assist the MEDVAMC in determining potential levels of competition available in the industry. Contractor shall possess the capability to provide all requirements and objectives. 7. Instructions and Response Guidelines: RFI responses are due by August 6, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. (CST); size is limited to 8.5 x 11 inches, 12-point font, with 1-inch margins in Microsoft Word format via email to anthony.marion2@va.gov All Questions shall be submitted by August 3, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. (CST) via email to anthony.marion2@va.gov. Telephone requests or inquires will not be accepted. Public Information is available and will not be provided. This a New Requirement. The subject line shall read: RFI# 36C25621Q1604 - Tissue Embedder Center. NO SOLICITATION EXISTS AT THIS TIME. There is no page limitation on subparagraphs 5(A) - 5(N). Please provide the information you deem relevant in order to respond to the specific inquiries of the RFI. Information provided will be used solely by MEDVAMC as "market research" and will not be released outside of the MEDVAMC Purchasing and Contract Team. This RFI does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), Invitation for Bid (IFB), or Request for Quotation (RFQ), and it is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contract, nor will the Government pay for the information submitted in response to this request. All information contained in this RFI is preliminary as well as subject to modification and is in no way binding on the Government. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the U.S. Government to form a binding contract. If a solicitation is released, it is will be synopsized in the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website or GSA. It is the responsibility of the interested parties to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this RFI, or future RFP/RFQ. 8. Contact Information: Contract Specialist, Anthony Marion Email address: Anthony.marion2@va.gov Your responses to this notice are appreciated. THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTES/PROPOSALS; however, any firm that believes it can meet the requirements may give written notification prior to the response due date and time. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to perform the requirements.