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THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. This is not a solicitation for bids, proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement. The responses received from interested contractors will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Network Contracting Office (NCO) 20, is conducting market research to identify potential sources which can provide the following in support of the Boise VA Medical Center:
Boise VA Medical Center has a need for a Brand Name Only Milteny AutoMacs Neo Separator and a gentleMacs to be purchased. In addition, the AutoMACS will need a service and preventative maintenance contract for 1 year. The contracted tasks can only be performed only by Miltenyi authorized service engineers as required by the manufacturer.
Brand Name Only Salient characteristics

AutoMacs NEO Separator

Research Services will be purchasing an instrument that will automate a magnetic cell separation process that is currently performed manually, one sample at a time. The requesting investigator has well established, patented protocols in place that will need to be seamlessly transitioned into an automated process. Therefore, the instrument must be able to integrate the reagents currently being used in the manual protocol into the automated process.
The instrument must:
be able to robotically perform the tasks involved in the magnetic cell isolation protocol.
be able to utilize Miltenyi brand cell isolation reagents no alterations in the reagents will be acceptable.
possess the flexibility to define the isolation parameters, for example, the cell marker type and negative or positive selection of cells.
have the capacity to process a minimum of 6 samples per run.
maintain the samples at 4oC, if desired by user.
due to space constraints, occupy an area no larger than 25 in X 20 in X 20 in (W X D X H).
utilize existing electrical receptacles, 120 volts/20 amps, for immediate, benchtop use.
gentleMACS Octo Dissociator with Heaters
Acquisition of an automated tissue dissociator will complement Research s automated cell isolation capability. The tissue dissociator will be used prepare various tissue samples for multiple downstream applications, including cell isolation with the AutoMacs Neo.
The instrument must:
be automated and able to prepare homogenates and single cell suspensions following pre-defined and user created protocols.
have an incubation temperature range of 2oC to 42oC.
be able to process a variety of tissue types including, but not limited to the following: mouse or human tumor, mouse or rat neonatal hear, neural tissue, mouse spleen, lung, lamina propria, epidermis or liver, mouse or rate skeletal muscle
be able to simultaneously process a minimum of 8 samples at a time with the option of using the same or a different protocol for each sample.
occupy an area no larger than 12 in X 20 in X 12 in (W X D X H).
utilize existing electrical receptacles, 120 volts/20 amps, for immediate, benchtop use.
Statement of Work
Statement of Work. Maintenance agreement for a Miltenyi AutoMacs Neo Cell Isolator
Background. Research Services at the Boise VA Medical Center will be purchasing a Miltenyi AutoMacs Neo to perform automated cell isolations. This acquisition will increase the productivity of the Research staff by reducing the hands-on time required by currently used manual protocols.
General Requirements. The fluidic nature of the normal functioning of the instrument makes it susceptible to leaks and clogging issues, consequently necessitating the need for a preventative maintenance and emergency repair services contract. The manufacturer requires that these services be provided by Miltenyi trained and authorized service engineers.
Tasks:
Preventative Maintenance. A yearly preventative maintenance visit must include the following as per manufacturer s requirements:
Performance assurance check
Functionality and safety check
Safety inspections
Cleaning of operational contaminations
Cleaning and greasing of mechanical parts
Examination of all connecting tubes
Testing of components according to Miltenyi SOP BGL-IS-SOP-000011
Routine inspection and replacement of wearing parts
Standard device software updates
Technical Support Service. Contractor must provide support to resolve technical issues by phone or email, 24 hours a day, 5 days a week
Repairs. The contractor must respond on-site to all emergency service requests within 2 days of the initial call to troubleshoot the issue. The cost of all labor, parts and associated travel must be covered by the contractor.
Place of Performance. The AutoMacs Neo will be in Research Services, Building 117 at the Boise VA Medical Center, 500 W. Fort Street, Boise, ID 83702.
Period of Performance. A 12-month period with the starting date to be determined pending delivery of the instrument.
Performance Monitoring. The tasks will be monitored by the point of contact (POC), or an alternative end-user designee. The contractor must provide a service report to the POC for the yearly service check as well as any additional repair visit(s), within 2 weeks of the visit. The service reports will be either in the form of an electronic PDF or a hardcopy. The POC will save a copy of the report for the instrument s service records and notify the approver of the contract, the Administrative Officer (AO) of Research Services that the services were rendered.
Security Requirements. The instrument will be stand alone, requiring no connection to the VA internet system. All contractor visits to the facility must be pre-scheduled with the POC. Upon arrival at the facility, the contractor will check in with the POC and will be escorted while in the secured Research building. The contractor will not require the use of the VA internet system to perform any of their tasks. Therefore, they will not have access to the VA intranet or patient information via the system. The C&A requirements do not apply, and that a Security Accreditation Package is not required.
Other Pertinent Information or Special Considerations. The contractor must be Miltenyi trained and authorized service engineers/technicians to perform the contracted services and repairs as required by the manufacturer.

Payment. The invoice must be submitted via the Financial Services Center Mandatory Electronic Invoice System, Tungsten and include the following information: contractor name, services performed, period of performance and purchase order number.

Hours of Coverage & Federal Holidays. Planned Maintenance Service will be provided during the regular working hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, five days a week, excluding the following legal federal holidays:

New Year s Day Jan 1st
Martin Luther King Day 3rd Monday in January
President s Day 3rd Monday in February
Memorial Day Last Monday in May
Independence Day July 4th
Labor Day 1st Monday in September
Columbus Day 2nd Monday in October
Veteran Day November 11th
Thanksgiving 4th Thursday in November
Christmas December 25th
Delivery Schedule.

Year 1, visit #1
Scheduled PM
Service Report
Within 2 weeks of visit
1 copy to POC
Invoice
At acceptance of contract
1 copy to POC and Tungsten
Emergency call(s)
As necessary
Service Report
Within 2 weeks of visit
1 copy to POC

Potential candidates having the capabilities necessary to provide the above stated supplies at a fair and reasonable price are invited to respond to this Sources Sought Notice via e-mail to Nazanin Kreiner at nazanin.kreiner@va.gov no later than May 10, 2023 Mountain Daylight Time. No telephone inquiries will be accepted.
RESPONSES SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: Company name, address, SAM UEI and business size; point of contact name, phone number, and e-mail address; whether services are presently offered on a current GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract. NAICS Code 334516 Size Standard: 1,000 employees is applicable to determine business size standard. Any questions or concerns may also be directed via email to Nazanin Kreiner at nazanin.kreiner@va.gov.
Disclaimer and Important Notes: This Sources Sought Notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. The Government will treat any information received as proprietary and will not share such information with other companies. Any organization responding to this Sources Sought Notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. The Government may or may not issue a solicitation as a result of this announcement. There is no solicitation available at this time.

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