Description
The Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Boston Healthcare System, intends to negotiate a commercial (FAR Part 12) sole source contract with Jali Medical Inc. under the authority of FAR 6.302-1. Please refer to the Sole Source Justification. This is not a solicitation; it is notice of intent to sole source a requirement.Inquiries/information received after the established deadline shall not be considered. The submission of any data for review shall not impede award of this contract as planned. The Government does not intend to pay for information solicited. This synopsis is issued pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION *1. Identification of the service/department and the transaction/requisition #: VA Boston Healthcare System: Mental Health Research Department Transaction number 523-08-4-7821-0147 *2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved: Purchase of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation equipment from Jali Medical Inc. *3. Description of the supplies/services required to meet the agencys needs (including the estimated value):43,052.00 There are no stimulators available, other than the Magstim model 9450-00 with the capacity for low interval paired stimulus delivery. This was confirmed by two expert laboratories performing similar research: Mark George, MD, Distinguished Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Radiology and Neurology, Director, Center for Advanced Imaging Research, Director, Brain Stimulation Laboratory, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC and Sarah Lisanby, MD Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry Chief, Brain Stimulation and Therapeutic Modulation Division, Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute A single magnetic stimulator is not able to deliver repeated pulses fast enough for the paired pulse experimental paradigm essential for estimating GABAergic tone in the CNS. The minimum pulse interval for the Magstim is 2 seconds. Paired pulses are delivered at 2, 4, 10 15, and 20 millisecond (ms) intervals. The conditioning (early) pulse inhibits the motor response at the low interstimulus intervals (a measure of brain inhibition and the most specific measure of GABAergic tone). The conditioning pulse facilitates the motor response output at the longer intervals. Estimated value of $43,052.00 4. Identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition: FAR 6.302-1, USC 253 (c) (1) Only One Responsible Source *5. Demonstration that the proposed contractors unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited: There are no stimulators available, other than the Magstim model 9450-00 with the capacity for low interval paired stimulus delivery. *6. Describe the efforts that have been made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a Commerce Business Daily notice was or will be publicized as required by Subpart 5.2 (copy attached) and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies: This device is necessary for our specific research project, and propriety, patented technology by the device manufacturer, and Jali Medical Inc is the ONLY source of this product. 7. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable: Determination was conducted and the anticipated cost to the government is fair and reasonable based on commercial price for products would be $52,700.00 a discounted price for the government @ 6% total being of purchase is $43,052.00. *8. Description of the market survey that was conducted (i.e. names of firms and the date(s) the firms were contacted) and the results or a statement of the reasons a market survey was not conducted: A market survey was not conducted due to the fact that this is the only system currently available on the market capable of being used for our specific needs. These details of these unique features are described under 3 above. *9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition, such as an explanation as to why technical data packages, specifications, engineering descriptions, statement of work, or purchase descriptions suitable for competition have not been developed or are not available. This Magistim 200system is unique it is only manufactured by The Magstim Company, and the only vendor in the US is Jali Medical Inc. *10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed an interest in the acquisition: None only one source *11. A statement of the actions, if any, that the department/service may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies/services is required in the future: Contracting Activity will continue to encourage brand name or equivalent specifications.