W--EvoTech ECR System Lease

The Department of Veterans Affairs, West Texas VA Health Care System, Big Spring, Texas 79720, intends to negotiate a sole source lease agreement with Advanced Sterilization Products (ASP), a division of Ethicon Inc., a Johnson and Johnson Company, for the Evo Tech Endoscope Cleaner and Reprocessor (ECR) System. This system has been cleared by the FDA to eliminate the laborintensive manual cleaning of endoscopes. ASP is the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of this product. The VA intends to procure this requirement on a sole source basis in accordance with the statutory authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c) (1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1. Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTES and no solicitation will be issued; however, any firm that believes it can meet the requirements may give written notification to the Contracting Officer within 4 days from the date of the publication of this synopsis. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to comply with the requirement listed. Responses are due by December 20, 2009 at 4:00pm CST. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based on 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. If no responses are received, the VA Medical Center will proceed with a sole source negotiation with Advanced Sterilization Products.