Notice of Intent to Award to a Sole Source

This is a notice of intent to solicit and award a sole source firm fixed price contract under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), only one source being available to meet the Government’s need. The contract estimated delivery will be sixty (60) days after receipt of order (ARO). The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 334516 Laboratory analytical instruments (except optical) manufacturing, with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees.

The FSC/PSC is 6632 Analysis Instruments, Medical Laboratory Use. The Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Regional Procurement Office West, Network Contracting Office (NCO) 21, for the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN 21), intends to solicit and award a sole source firm fixed price contract for the purchase of Bio-Rad Genesis Cell Isolation System to Bio-Rad 2000 Alfred Nobel Drive, Hercules, CA 94547-1801.

There is no other source of supply that will satisfy agency requirements. The VA Northern California Health Care System, Sacramento VA Medical Center intends to purchase the Bio-Rad Genesis Cell Isolation System, an automated, microfluidic-based instrument used to isolate rare cells (such as circulating tumor cells and immune subsets) from whole blood or other liquid biopsy samples. This system will be used for oncology research involving liquid biopsy analysis.

The Genesis system is unique in that it enabled multiple workflows (enrichment and enumeration) on the same instrument and enables a superior capture efficiency compared to alternative approaches along with customization options to enable optimization for a variety of sample types and target cells. A key unique feature is the high viability of captured cells, in a label-free manner, that enable the compatibility with sensitive downstream applications such as single-cell RNA sequencing and digital PCR workflows.

Competing technologies (e.g., antibody-based magnetic enrichment) require pre-labelling, that introduce bias and compromise cell integrity, which subsequently limits the usefulness of the technology to address impactful biological questions. No other system offers the same combination of highly efficient, label-free rare cell isolation with automation and customization.

ITEM INFORMATION ITEM NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT 0001 1.00 EA BRAND NAME ONLY - 12019822; Genesis Cell Isolation System 0002 10.00 EA BRAND NAME ONLY - 17009841;Celselect Slides Enumeration Direct Stain Kit 2.0 0003 10.00 EA BRAND NAME ONLY - 17009455; Celselect Slides Enrichment Kit 2.0 0004 1.00 EA BRAND NAME ONLY - 12020150; Celselect Slides Accessory Kit 2.0 Any responsible source that feels it is capable in performing this requirement may submit a quote for the above listed items and describe and/or submit documentation to support your capabilities.

The response will be considered by the agency. If you are not the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), you must submit an authorized distributor letter signed by the OEM. If you are not the OEM and a small business, you must indicate in your response how you will comply with limitations on subcontracting and/or the non-manufacturer rule. If you offer any products which are not U. S. domestic end items then you must specify the country of origin.

Responses should be submitted to Brian K. Fritz at brian.fritz@va.gov no later than August 5, 2025 at 3:00 PM Pacific Time to be considered. If no responses are received, the Government will continue with its sole source procurement, and a sole source Request for Quote will be published to contract opportunities in accordance with FAR 5.102.