TABLETOP TESTER

INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE The Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office (NCO) 6, Durham VA Health Care System intends to enter into a sole source procurement with Instron, a division of ITW. NAICS 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing. The proposed contract action is to provide the Instron Model 68TM-10 Tabletop Tester and Bluehill Universal Materials Testing Software.

The Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, using the procedures under FAR 13.5, Soliciting from a single source. This notice of intent is not a request for quotation. Interested parties may identify their interest in the requirement and capabilities to Rachel.Watkins2@va.gov no later than September 18, 2025, at 10:00AM EST. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted. All information shall be furnished at no cost or obligation to the government.

(a) Gray market items are Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) goods sold through unauthorized channels in direct competition with authorized distributors. This procurement is for new OEM medical supplies, medical equipment and/or services contracts for maintenance of medical equipment (i.e. replacement parts) for VA Medical Centers. No remanufacture or gray market items will be acceptable.

(b) Vendor shall be an OEM, authorized dealer, authorized distributor or authorized reseller for the proposed medical supplies, medical equipment and/or services contracts for maintenance of medical equipment (i.e. replacement parts), verified by an authorization letter or other documents from the OEM, such that the OEM s warranty and service are provided and maintained by the OEM. All software licensing, warranty and service associated with the medical supplies, medical equipment and/or services contracts for maintenance of medical equipment shall be in accordance with the OEM terms and conditions.

(c) The delivery of gray market items to the VA in the fulfillment of an order/award constitutes a breach of contract. Accordingly, the VA reserves the right to enforce any of its contractual remedies. This includes termination of the contract or, solely at the VA s election, allowing the Vendor to replace, at no cost to the Government, any remanufactured or gray market item(s) delivered to a VA medical facility upon discovery of such items. No solicitation will be made available.

The information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the government not to complete this proposed contract based upon responses to the notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.