501-Sakura Stainers/Coverslippers_Intent to Sole Source

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office (NCO) 22, hereby provides notice of its intent to award a sole source, firm-fixed-price contract to Government Scientific Source, 12355 Sunrise Valley Dr. Suite 400, Reston, VA 20191 The contract will be for Veterans Health Supply Solutions to provide Sakura Coverslippers and Automated Slide Stainers for upcoming histology studies at the New Mexico Veterans Affairs Healthcare System (NMVAHS) in SE Albuquerque, NM.

Determination of this single source procurement is in accordance with FAR 6.302-1 Only Once Responsible Source. No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. It is the Government s belief that the proposed candidate is the only vendor capable of providing the required items, as they are the only authorized small business vendor to sell the Sakura products needed for this requirement. The manufacturer has only one authorized seller of their products.

Sakura Coverslippers are linked to the Tissue-Tek Prisma Plus Automated Slide Stainer, which increase pathology laboratory productivity. The New Mexico VA needs these Sakura instruments, which are vital for upcoming histology research for the staff at the facility. THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTES. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement no later than 10:00AM PT, Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025 to Jonathan.Ford1@va.gov.

All interested parties shall submit clear and convincing documentation, which would include an authorized letter of distribution, in demonstrating their capabilities to satisfy the requirements listed. The capability documentation should include general information and technical background describing in detail the prospective contractor's capabilities and experience that will demonstrate the ability to support this requirement.

A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The Department of Veterans Affairs, NCO 22 will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this notice of intent. Only written responses will be considered. All responses from responsible sources will be fully considered.

As a result of analyzing responses to this notice of intent, the Government shall determine if a solicitation will be issued. Any prospective contractor must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to be eligible for award. Interested parties are encouraged to furnish information by email only with Response to Intent to Sole Source for Sakura Tissue Tek Coverslippers and Automated Slide-Stainers in the subject line. All documents submitted will not be returned.