Intent to Award a Sole Source contract for an areawide Cepheid Reagent Test Cartridges and Consumables for the Great Plains Area Indian Health Service.

The Great Plains Area Indian Health Service (GPAIHS), Aberdeen, SD, hereby submits a notice of intent to award a sole source, firm fixed-price, area-wide Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) for Cepheid Reagent Test Cartridges and Consumables. The sole source contract will be awarded to CEPHEID;

SAM UEI: W6HQTMWB9Q28. This requirement is to purchase instruments, molecular diagnostic reagent test kits, and consumables, and establish a comprehensive service and support agreement for the service units. This IDIQ will support all hospitals and clinics throughout the Great Plains Area Indian Health Service (GPA IHS) with molecular testing utilizing the Cepheid platforms. Cepheid is currently the sole manufacturer of Xpert® reagents, and GeneXpert® systems are manufactured exclusively for Cepheid.

Xpert reagent test cartridges are designed and manufactured to only be used with Cepheid’s instruments. Cepheid is currently the only authorized provider of service for GeneXpert systems to customers within the United States, excluding territories. Period of performance is for a base year, plus four option years. Anticipated award date 03/15/2025. The estimated total value of this contract is above the simplified acquisition threshold.

The sole source contracting action is pursuing a waiver from placing an order on a competitive basis pursuant to FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supply or service will satisfy agency requirements and is based on market research. The sources sought notice posted did not receive any responsible responses.

Responses to this notice must demonstrate clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government, would not be cost or time prohibitive, and would not hinder the mission objective of the agency. The determination not to compete the proposed action is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received normally will be considered for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

The Government will not be responsible for any costs incurred for responding to this notice. This is not a request for quotes or proposals. Questions or comments to this Notice of Intent to award Sole Source needs to be directed to William Kohl, Contract Specialist via William.Kohl@ihs.gov. No telephone responses will be honored.