AutoCut Microtomes

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY: This announcement seeks information from the industry, which will be used for preliminary planning purposes for procurement. No proposals are being requested or accepted with this sources sought notice. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS AND NO CONTRACT SHALL BE AWARDED FROM THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE. THIS IS STRICTLY MARKET RESEARCH.

Department of Veteran Affairs Boston Healthcare requires a Autocut Microtome for laboratory users to select among automated, semi-automated, or manual sectioning modes based on preference. The products shall be brand name or equal to the Leica HistoCore Autocut Microtome in accordance with salient characteristics listed below:

Salient Characteristics (derived from the Leica HistoCore Autocut Microtome): Part Number Description Quantity 149AUTO00C1 Leica HistoCore Autocut Microtome, Configuration with two-in-one blade holder 3 14050238257 Foot switch for rotary microtomes 3 14041157009 Power Cord USA 15 AMP 3 Parts compatibility with existing Leica Microtomes (ie. Blade holders, block clamps, etc). Facilitate alignment/orientation of blocks. Automated or fully manual with a rotary wheel on the left and right.

Serial cutting with an actively cooled RM CoolClamp and low-temperature block for consistent slice thickness over multiple sections. Automated, semi-automated, or manual sectioning modes. Automatic electronic brake. Sliding blade holder. Large antistatic waste tray Dimensions: 477mm x 620mm x 295mm The agency intends to provide preference for domestic end products that are brand name or equal to the Leica HistoCore AutoCut Microtome.

The purpose of this synopsis is to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities, and qualifications of various members of industry, who have the capability to provide a domestically produced brand name or equal with salient characteristics microtome. All interested firms must be registered in SAM (System for Award Management) to be eligible for the award of Government contracts. Interested parties responding to this Sources Sought request shall submit the following information at a minimum:

(1) Company name and address point of contact with phone number and SAM UEI.

(2) Documentation relating to performance capability, current point of contact, and phone number).

(3) Socio-economic status to identify the business class as a large business, SDVOSB, VOSB, small business, Woman Owned, etc.

(4) Place of manufacture (5) Any other pertinent company documentation prior to submission of offers to a solicitation. Any SD/VOSB firms responding to this Sources Sought Notice must also provide proof of registration in the SBA Vet Cert prior to submitting offers to a solicitation. 52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal.

As prescribed in 11.107(a), insert the following provision: Brand Name or Equal (Aug 1999) (a) If an item in this solicitation is identified as "brand name or equal," the purchase description reflects the characteristics and level of quality that will satisfy the Government s needs.

The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that "equal" products must meet are specified in the solicitation. (b) To be considered for award, offers of "equal" products, including "equal" products of the brand name manufacturer, must- (1) Meet the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristic specified in this solicitation; (2) Clearly identify the item by- (i) Brand name, if any; and (ii) Make or model number; (3) Include descriptive literature such as illustrations, drawings, or a clear reference to previously furnished descriptive data or information available to the Contracting Officer; and (4) Clearly describe any modifications the offeror plans to make in a product to make it conform to the solicitation requirements.

Mark any descriptive material to clearly show the modifications. (c) The Contracting Officer will evaluate "equal" products on the basis of information furnished by the offeror or identified in the offer and reasonably available to the Contracting Officer.

The Contracting Officer is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the offer. (d) Unless the offeror clearly indicates in its offer that the product being offered is an "equal" product, the offeror shall provide the brand name product referenced in the solicitation. (End of provision) This market research is for informational and planning purposes. This is not a solicitation and does not obligate the Government to issue a solicitation. Please be advised that the government will not pay any costs for responses and information submitted. All submissions are acceptable via kim.mccarthy@va.gov.

RESULTS INFORMATION: Respondents will not be notified of the results, and it is at the discretion of the Government to utilize results. Firms responding to this Sources Sought announcement, who fail to meet all requirements as stated above, and who fail to provide ALL the required information requested, will not be used to help the Government make the acquisition decision, which is the intent of this sources sought announcement.