FY26: BACT/Alert Automated Blood Culture Detection System

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Justification for Single Source Awards Acquisition Plan Action ID:

36C248-26-AP-4113 Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 08, NCO-8, San Juan Services & Commodities Team, 2237 no. 672-26-1-103-0033. Brief Description of Supplies required, intended use, and estimated amount: The Government is in need to acquire two (2) BACT/ALERT VIRTUO automated blood culture detection system, for use in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory at the Veterans Affairs Caribbean Healthcare System main facility in San Juan, PR.

The system will be used for continuous monitoring and detection of microbial growth in blood and sterile body fluid cultures, and shall include all associated software, hardware, middleware connectivity, uninterrupted power supply (UPS), and printer. Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one source, with the reason no other supplies or services can be used: Isla Lab is the authorized distributor for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, for Biomerieux, the manufacturer of the systems being procured.

Therefore, it is in the Government's best interest to procure these items through such vendor. Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted: The results of the SBS query were 10 Small Businesses, two (2) of them being SDVOSBs. The GSA Advantage query did not yield any results. The results of the Add Up contract database query were numerous contracts awarded to Biomerieux, the manufacturer of the systems being procured.

Biomerieux confirmed that Isla Lab is the sole distributor for their systems in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. As a result, the VA Rule of Two was not found to be met, and the recommendation is to procure these items through the Biomerieux authorized distributor in the Commonwealth of PR, which is Isla Lab.. This letter was uploaded into the AP briefcase, in eCMS.

Contracting Officer's Certification: Purchase is approved in accordance with Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) 6.103-1. I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer Date