6640--Anatomic Pathology Instruments 36C24126Q0055

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY: This announcement seeks information from the industry, which will be used for preliminary planning purposes for procurement. No proposals are being requested or accepted with this sources sought notice. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS AND NO CONTRACT SHALL BE AWARDED FROM THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE. THIS IS STRICTLY MARKET RESEARCH. Department of Veteran Affairs Boston Healthcare requires the following brand name or equal anatomic pathology instruments in accordance with the salient characteristics listed below: General Requirements: Operational and Technical Features: Testing instrumentation must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Hardware Features: A printer(s) that has the capability of printing a patient report with patient demographic information that includes minimally the patient s name and accession or unique identifier number *UID). If the printer(s) will not be provided, the instruments must have the capability of attaching a local printer and a list of compatible printers will be provided. Product Alerts: Product Notifications, Technical Advisories, Recalls, Software Updates or any other important communications must be provided to both the NCL group and the VISN 1 POCs at each site within one business day of issuance. NCL and VISN 1 POCs are provided in section 2 of this document. Specific Equipment Requirements: Tissue Processor (salient characteristics derived from the Leica Histocore Pegasus): Parallel processing of different protocols on the same instrument Magnetic stirring of paraffin for optimal infiltration Pre-installed validated protocols Xylene-free options Reagent management system for reduction of reagent consumption Automatic recording of reagent type, lot number, and concentration Onboard reagent capacity of at least 17 reagents Walk away loading of additional paraffin blocks 400 cassette capacity Autocut Microtome (salient characteristics derived from Leica Histocore Autocut Microtome) Fully-Automated, Semi-Automated, and Manual modes Adaptable corse wheel feed Force balance system to ensure balanced object head for multiple block sizes Antistatic waste Specimen cooling to ensure optimal block temperature during multiple sectioning Blade holder accommodates low and high profile blades Electronic brake for user safety Sectioning thickness 0.5-100 micrometers Adjustable motorized sectioning speed Availability of interchangeable parts with our existing microtomes. This reduces delay in patient testing should something need repair. Cold Plate (salient characteristics derived from Leica HistoCore Arcadia Cold Plates) Bench top 25in x 15.75in x 15in Self-regulating operation temperature of -6C Thruput of 65 blocks per 30 mins Metal working surface for less adhesion Modular component of HistoCore histology instrumentation Tissue Processor (salient characteristics derived from Sakura tissue-tek 6 AI) Onboard reagent mixed solutions for advanced infiltration of fatty tissues Reagent monitoring with 2 bulk reservoirs Onboard fume control system Automatic paraffin degassing 50 user defined programs 300 cassette capacity Xylene-free processing options Pathology Digital Imaging System (salient characteristics derived from SPOT Imaging Grossing Camera) Pathstation in-hood imaging system Hands free imaging with foot pedal control PathSuite interface for gross and microscopic imaging In image measurement and annotation 20 MP image capture 1080p HD video 8x Optical plus 4x digital zoom Field of view adjustable from 34 x28 to 0.50 x0.38 Auto calibration Auto Focus One-click telepathology connection The Government intends to provide preference for any domestic end product that meets the above salient characteristics. The purpose of this sources sought is to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities, and qualifications of various members of industry, who have the capability to provide a domestically produced brand name or equal product(s). All interested firms must be registered in SAM (System for Award Management) to be eligible for the award of Government contracts. Interested parties responding to this Sources Sought request shall submit the following information at a minimum: (1) Company name and address point of contact with phone number and SAM UEI. (2) Documentation relating to performance capability, current point of contact, and phone number). (3) Socio-economic status to identify the business class as a large business, SDVOSB, VOSB, small business, Woman Owned, etc. (4) Place of manufacture (5) Any other pertinent company documentation prior to submission of offers to a solicitation. Any small business (SB) firms responding to this Sources Sought Notice must also provide proof of registration in the SBA DSBS prior to submitting offers to a solicitation. 52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal. As prescribed in 11.107(a), insert the following provision: Brand Name or Equal (Aug 1999) (a) If an item in this solicitation is identified as "brand name or equal," the purchase description reflects the characteristics and level of quality that will satisfy the Government s needs. The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that "equal" products must meet are specified in the solicitation. (b) To be considered for award, offers of "equal" products, including "equal" products of the brand name manufacturer, must- (1) Meet the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristic specified in this solicitation; (2) Clearly identify the item by- (i) Brand name, if any; and (ii) Make or model number; (3) Include descriptive literature such as illustrations, drawings, or a clear reference to previously furnished descriptive data or information available to the Contracting Officer; and (4) Clearly describe any modifications the offeror plans to make in a product to make it conform to the solicitation requirements. Mark any descriptive material to clearly show the modifications. (c) The Contracting Officer will evaluate "equal" products on the basis of information furnished by the offeror or identified in the offer and reasonably available to the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the offer. (d) Unless the offeror clearly indicates in its offer that the product being offered is an "equal" product, the offeror shall provide the brand name product referenced in the solicitation. (End of provision) This market research is for informational and planning purposes. This is not a solicitation and does not obligate the Government to issue a solicitation. Please be advised that the government will not pay any costs for responses and information submitted. All submissions sent via kim.mccarthy@va.gov. RESULTS INFORMATION: Respondents will not be notified of the results, and it is at the discretion of the Government to utilize results. Firms responding to this Sources Sought announcement, who fail to meet all requirements as stated above, and who fail to provide ALL the required information requested, will not be used to help the Government make the acquisition decision, which is the intent of this sources sought announcement.

Description This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products and commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 12.2, Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Products and Commercial Services, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested, and a written solicitation document will not be issued. This solicitation is issued as an RFQ. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2025-06. This solicitation is intended as an unrestricted brand name only requirement. The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 334516 with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees. The FSC/PSC is 6640. Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 01, is seeking to purchase the following Leica Microsystems anatomic pathology instruments and accessories. All interested companies shall provide quotations for the following: Supplies CLIN Part # Description Location Qty 0001 14048858005 HistoCore Pegasus Tissue Processor W. Rox 1 0002 14039357261 HistoCore Arcadia C Cold Plate W. Rox 2 0003 149AUTOG0C1 HistoCore Autocut Microtome Togus 2 Place of Delivery VAMC Boston 1400 VFW Parkway West Roxbury, MA 02132 VAMC Togus 1 VA Center August, ME 04330 The following solicitation provisions/clauses apply to this acquisition: 52.204-7 System for Award Management Registration (NOV 2024) (DEVIATION NOV 2025) System updates may lag policy updates. The System for Award Management (SAM) may continue to require entities to complete representations and certifications based on provisions that are not included in this solicitation. Examples include 52.240-90 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions Representations and Certifications, 52.242-91 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions, 52.240-92 Security Requirements, and 52.240-93 Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems. Contracting officers will rely on representations from offers based on provisions in the solicitation. Entities are not required to, nor are they able to, update their entity registration to remove these representations in SAM. 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors Commercial Products and Commercial Services (DEVIATION OCT 2025) 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998) This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-52#FAR_52_252_1 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998) This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-52#FAR_52_252_1 (FAR) and http://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/index.asp (VAAR) 52.203.17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights.(NOV 2023) ; 52.209-6 Protecting the Government's Interest When Subcontracting With Contractors Debarred, Suspended, Proposed for Debarment, or Voluntarily Excluded. (JAN 2025) (DEVIATION NOV 2025) ; 52.204-13 System for Award Management-Maintenance (DEVIATION NOV 2025); 52.209-6 Protecting the Government's Interest When Subcontracting With Contractors Debarred, Suspended, Proposed for Debarment, or Voluntarily Excluded (DEVIATION NOV 2025); 52.209-10 Prohibition on Contracting With Inverted Domestic Corporations (DEVIATION NOV 2025); 52.222-3 Convict Labor (JUN 2003); 52.222-19 Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (DEVIATION DATE); 52.222-36 Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (DEVIATION DATE); 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons (DEVIATION OCT 2025); 52.222-54 Employment Eligibility Verification (DEVIATION DATE); 52.223-23 Sustainable Products (DEVIATION FEB 2025); 52.225-1 Buy American-Supplies (DEVIATION DATE) (See Certificate at the end of this solicitation); 52.226-8 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (MAY 2024); 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management (OCT 2018); 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (MAR 2023); 52.233-3 Protest after Award (DEVIATION NOV 2025); 52.233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (DEVIATION NOV 2025); 52.240-91 Security Prohibitions and exclusions (DEVIATION NOV 2025); 52.244-6 Subcontracts for Commercial Products and Commercial Services (DEVIATION NOV 2025); 852.203-70 Commercial Advertising (MAY 2018); 852.212-71 Gray Market and Counterfeit Items (FEB 2023); 852.215-70 Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Veteran-Owned Small Business Evaluation Factors (JAN 2023) (DEVIATION); 852.232-72 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests (NOV 2018); 852.242-71 Administrative Contracting Officer (OCT 2020); 852.246-71 Rejected Goods (OCT 2018); 852.252-70 Solicitation Provisions or Clauses Incorporated by Reference (JAN 2008) ; 852.247-71 Delivery Location (OCT 2018); 852.247-71: 852.247-73 Packing for Domestic Shipment (OCT 2018). Buy American Certificate (Oct 2022) (a) (1)The Offeror certifies that each end product, except those listed in paragraph (b) of this provision, is a domestic end product and that each domestic end product listed in paragraph (c) of this provision contains a critical component. (2)The Offeror shall list as foreign end products those end products manufactured in the United States that do not qualify as domestic end products. For those foreign end products that do not consist wholly or predominantly of iron or steel or a combination of both, the Offeror shall also indicate whether these foreign end products exceed 55 percent domestic content, except for those that are COTS items. If the percentage of the domestic content is unknown, select no . (3) The Offeror shall separately list the line item numbers of domestic end products that contain a critical component (see FAR 25.105). (4) The terms commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item, critical component, "domestic end product," "end product," and "foreign end product" are defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled "Buy American-Supplies." (b)Foreign End Products: Line Item No. Country of Origin Exceeds 55% domestic content (yes/no) ______________ _________________ _________________ ______________ _________________ _________________ (b)[List as necessary] Domestic end products containing a critical component: Line Item No. ___ [List as necessary] (d)The Government will evaluate offers in accordance with the policies and procedures of part 25 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (End of provision) All quoters shall submit the following: Quote and authorized distributor s letter. All quotes shall be sent via email: kim.mccarthy@va.gov. Award will be made to the lowest priced technically acceptable quote in accordance with the Simplified Acquisition Procedures of FAR 12. The award will be made to the response most advantageous to the Government. The following factors shall be used to evaluate quotations: Technical or Quality Past Performance Veterans Involvement Price Responses should contain your best terms and conditions. To facilitate the award process, all quotes must include a statement regarding the terms and conditions herein as follows: "The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document without modification, deletion, or addition." OR "The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document with the exception, deletion, or addition of the following:" Quoters shall list exception(s) and rationale for the exception(s), if any. Submission of your response shall be received not later than December 5, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1(c). Any questions or concerns regarding this solicitation should be forwarded in writing via e-mail to the Point of Contact listed below. Point of Contact: Kim McCarthy, Contract Specialist; kim.mccarthy@va.gov