***INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE NOTICE-*** Estimated Date of Award: January 21, 2022 Synopsis: The Department of Veterans Affairs, Columbia, South Carolina intends to award a sole source procurement for the following line items. Line item 0001: Flexcess FX6000 Tension System to include: 1. Acer Aspire Laptop with FlexSoftr FX6000 software. 2. FX6000T Tension FlexLinkr Controller 3. BioFlexr Baseplate kit. #: a. BioFlexr Baseplate and gasket set b. BioFlexr 25mm loading stations c. Manual, grease d. 4 sample BioFlexr plates e. set of 4 cell seeders 4. Tubing and Adaptor kit a. 1 drying filter b. 1 water trap c. Flex In, Flex Out, Vacuum Source Tubing d. associated peripherals Line item 0002: Oerlikon Leybold D8B Rotary Vane Pump includes: AR4-8 Return, Elbow -KF 16 Flange, Hose nipple -KF 16 Flange, 2 KF-16 O-Rings, 2 KF 16 Clamp Rings. **Vacuum pump is wired and shipped from Flexcellr for North American use only. Line item 0003: Pressure Reservoir: -5-gallon ASME rated vessel -3 1/2 diameter compound vacuum/pressure gauge -Complete with valve and connections to attach to FX5000 Tension Plus or Compression Plus system. -Interface to vacuum/pressure source is 1/2' ID wire reinforced tubing Line item 0004: FX6000 Air Compressor Kit Line item 0005: BioFlexr Collagen Type I - 6 Well -Flexible Bottomed Culture Plate - (40 per case) Location will be for Birmingham VA Medical Center, 700 19th St S, Birmingham, AL 35233. The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 7 located in Columbia, SC intends to issue a sole source firm fixed priced contract to a Flexcell International Corporation located at 437 Dimmocks Mill Road, STE 28, Hillsborough, NC, DUNS # 603095787; a Small Business. The contract is expected to be awarded under FAR Part 13. A Limited Sources Justification has been prepared. This procurement is being conducted in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b) (1)(ii), Soliciting from a Single Source. A direct award will be made IAW FAR 19.406 as this system is composed of scientific instrumentation designed to provide a mechanical load to cells in culture. It will apply a defined, controlled, static or cyclic deformation to growing cells in vitro. This specialized equipment incorporates proprietary technology and methods and is protected by both United States and International patents. With the following patents, there is no separate piece of equipment available to perform the precise experiments needed for this research. Following are some unique characteristics of this instrument: Uses vacuum to deform a flexible-bottom culture plate yielding up to 33% substrate elongation, and positive pressure to drive the membrane to baseline at sea level (standard temperature, 25 oC and atmospheric pressure, 760 mm Hg or 14.7 lbs/sq in) Minimum strain resolution capability is 0.1% elongation Applies a defined, controlled, static, or cyclic deformation to growing cells in vitro Housed valving mechanism automatically regulates and maintains pressure to provide the specified strain regimen Capable of driving up to 4 independent FlexLink remote strain and/or compression controllers Capable of delivering frequency ranges from 0.01 5.00 Hz Ability to program multiple frequency, amplitude and wave changes in one regimen Waveforms available: Static wave, Sinusoidal wave, Heart wave (Electronic and Pressure), Triangular wave, Square wave and custom waveforms The NAICS code utilized for this procurement is with 339113 with a Small Business Size Standard of 750 employees. THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTES. However, Contractors may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the contracting officer whether to continue with the sole source procurement or to provide for competition. Such responses MUST be received no later than January 12, 2022 at 2PM EST. Forward responses by e-mail to Randy Dinkins, Contract Specialist,
[email protected]. Responses received will be evaluated; however, a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses received to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The Department of Veterans Affairs, NCO 7 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) to be eligible for award.