Sources Sought Notice This notice is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered an invitation for bid, request for quotation, request for proposal, or as an obligation of the government to acquire any products or services. Responses to this notice will be used for informational purposes only and only for Network Contracting Office 5. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs from the government will arise as a result from a response to this announcement. No contract will be awarded from this notice. The information requested in this notice will be used to determine available sources for the supply / service below. The Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Network Contracting Office (NCO) 5 is seeking sources for the following procurement: Fully-automated Rotary Microtomes and Accessories North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) number is 334516. The NAICS size is 1000. Contractors that deem themselves capable of meeting the requirement shall provide the below information to Ryan Singletary, Contracting Officer, at ryan.singletary@va.gov no-later-than March 20, 2025 at 12PM, Eastern Time. Statement of Work Fully Automated Microtome and Accessories GENERAL: The Histology Section of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Services, has a requirement for two microtomes. The microtomes are needed for sectioning of patient tissues to make microscope slides for the pathologist utilization to diagnose patients. Microtomes are used in the preparation of slides of irreplaceable specimens. Histology receives small tissue samples that once retrieved from a patient are limited and/or irreplaceable. This equipment is crucial to properly prepare the sectioning of irreplaceable specimens for patient diagnosis. SCOPE: The Histology Laboratory is requesting 2 new microtomes for sectioning of patient tissues, which aid in the diagnosis of patient diseases and conditions. SPECIFIC NEED/ SALIENT CHARACTERISTIC S Operates manually or automated with 2 mechanical locks and 1 electronic brake. Hand wheel operated manually must be extremely smooth and will continue to turn several times after releasing from hand control. Two-in-one blade holder E for high and low-profile blades with lateral displacement function with blade holder base. Has a controlling device that can be used on either side of the microtome for right-handed or left- handed technologists. Controlling device allows for coarse and fine feed and retraction per buttons or rotating knobs with buttons to facilitate smooth and instant changes between coarse and sectioning settings. Rocking capability advances without full turn of wheel as technologist controls it manually. Selectable retraction. Visual and acoustical remaining feed indicator. Adjustable independent trimming and sectioning speeds. Must have an emergency stop button. Handwheel locks in any position. Displays section count, cutting speed, section thickness, and advance distance. Top of microtome must be flat to accommodate cold light source (5 W x 8 D) present to illuminate paraffin block during sectioning. Ability to section in the thickness range of 0.5mm to 100mm. Ability to trim in the thickness range of 2mm to 100mm. Must include a quick release specimen clamp. Must include debris tray. Must include features to maximize safety (blade guards, mechanism to change blades to minimize handling by technicians). Availability of interchangeable parts such as blade holders and block clamps-must be compatible with and interchangeable with the current inventory. TRAINING: Vendor must provide training for utilizing the HistoCore AUTOCUT microtomes. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Martinsburg VAMC, 510 Butler Avenue, Histology Laboratory, Room 2D1142, Bldg 500, Martinsburg, WV 25405 DELIVERY SCHEDULE: All items to be delivered and installed within 30 days of purchase order processing and order placement. FOB destination pricing. WARRANTY OF EQUIPMENT: Contractor must provide manufacturer(s) warranty on all provided supplies. ITEM INFORMATION ITEM NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT 0001 2.00 EA __________________ __________________ HistoCore AUTOCUT Config. 1 MFR PART NUMBER: 149AUTO00C1 0002 2.00 EA __________________ __________________ Foot switch for rotary microtomes MFR PART NUMBER: 14050238257 0003 2.00 EA __________________ __________________ Power Cord various NEMA5 15 C13 MFR PART NUMBER: 14041157009 Responses (Any item not addressed in vendor s response may be considered a negative inference by the Contracting Officer): If interested, please provide the following information in a response: 1. Name of Company 2. Point of Contact; name, phone number and email address 3. SAMS UEI 4. 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. 5. Is your company considered small under the NAICS code identified under this Sources Sought? 6. Are you the manufacturer or distributor of the items being referenced above (or equivalent product/solution)? What is the manufacturing country of origin of these items? 7. If not manufacturer, provide a letter, memo, or certification that firm is authorized distributor. 8. If you re a small business and you are an authorized distributor/reseller for the items identified above (or equivalent product/solution), do you alter; assemble; modify; the items requested in any way? If you do, state how and what is altered; assembled; modified? 9. Does your company have an FSS contract with GSA or the NAC or are you a contract holder with NASA SEWP or any other federal contract? If so, please provide the contract type and number. 10. If you are an FSS GSA/NAC or NASA SEWP contract holder or other federal contract holder, are the referenced items/solutions available on your schedule/contract? 11. Please provide general pricing for your products/solutions for market research purposes. 12. Please submit your capabilities in regard to the salient characteristics being provided and any information pertaining to equal to items to establish capabilities for planning purposes? *** Submissions addressing Section (8) should show clear, compelling, and convincing*** evidence that all equal to items" meet all required salient characteristics. Responses to this notice shall be submitted via email to Ryan.Singletary@va.gov. Telephone responses shall not be accepted. Responses must be received no later than March 20, 2025, at 12:00 PM EST. If a solicitation is issued it shall be announced at a later date, and all interested parties must respond to that solicitation announcement separately from the responses to this request for information. Responses to this notice are not a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation.
