DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NETWORK CONTRACTING OFFICE (NCO) 16 Central Arkansas Veterans HealthCare System 4300 West 7th Street Room 2E-112 Little Rock, AR 72205 REQUEST FOR INFORMATION 36C25619Q1367 BACKGROUND: Central Arkansas Veterans HealthCare System VAMC has a requirement for reagents and consumables for automated molecular platform that is fully-integrated real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) system which integrates a complete on-board nucleic acid purification system with amplification, and detection in one self-contained system. REQUESTED RESPONSES: The intent of this Request for Information is to establish sources to define the procurement strategy (e.g set-aside, sole source, unrestricted) for a solicitation that VA intends to post in the near future. Interested contractors are requested to respond in accordance with the following: Please respond to this RFI if you can provide Cepheid GeneXpert Cepheid reagent cartridges and consumables for the performance of Molecular Microbiological testing on Government owned GeneXpert Systems. These reagents are required to perform testing for Clostridium difficile, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrohoeae, MRSA, Factor II, Factor V and Flu testing. The test cartridges and consumables are equipment specific to the existing government owned equipment from Cepheid for the Molecular Microbiological testing for the period FY19 October 1, 2019 - September 30, 2020. If you have an existing GSA or VA, Federal Supply Schedule contract, please include the contract details in your response. Please respond to this RFI if you can provide supplies that can be determined EQUIVALENT to the products listed in the table in the background section above. Please provide details on the proposed EQUIVALENT products such as Manufacturer Name, Part Number, and Description. If you have an existing GSA or VA, Federal Supply Schedule contract, please include the contract details in your response. Please note that VA is particularly interested in determining the availability of Small Business Manufacturers. If your company is a small business manufacturer of similar items, please respond to this RFI. CONTACT INFORMATION AND RESPONSE DUE DATE: Please email all responses to [email protected]. Please respond to this RFI no later than August 19, 2019 at 5 PM (CT). DISCLAIMER: This RFI is issued solely for informational and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Department of Veterans Affairs to form a binding contract. Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. Requirement: The Central Arkansas Veterans HealthCare System VAMC has a requirement for reagents and consumables for automated molecular platform that is fully-integrated real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) system which integrates a complete on-board nucleic acid purification system with amplification, and detection in one self-contained system. The biometric pulse parameters exceed molecular cell structures; and imminent risk of mutation exists. Therefore, the reagents and consumables for the molecular platform should allow rapid testing, and multiple assays to run separately on the same instruments at the same time, to increase productivity, reproducibility, and reduced turn-around-time. The contractor shall provide an automated molecular platform that performs rapid, continuous sample processing operation mode to allow true 24/7 results, rapid real-time PCR, multiple test menu, and easy to use for moderately complex testing from patient specimens. Proprietary reagents and consumables listed below will be used with currently owned VA equipment (Cepheid GeneXpert) for the testing in Microbiology lab: Xpert C.difficile/Epi Item #GXCDIFF/EPI-10 Xpert MRSA NxG Item #GXMRSA-NXG-120 Cepheid Collection Device, Item #900-0370 Xpert Factor II & FV Item #GXFIIFV-10 Xpert CT/NG Item #GXCT/NG-10 COLLECTION KIT, URINE, CE-IVD,CT/NG,50 Item #URINE/A-50 COLLECTION KIT, SWAB,CE-IVD,CT/NG,50 Item #SWAB/A-50 Xpert MTB/Rif Item # GXMTB/RIF-US-10 Xpert Carba-R Kits 10/box, Item # GXCARBR-10 Xpress Flu, Item #XPRSFLU-10 Xpert NP Sample Collection Kit, Item #SWAB/B-100 These reagents and consumables are used for tests that are currently performed in our laboratory using the government owned Cepheid GeneXpert instrument system and the Infinity System. Reagents and supplies are proprietary to the Cepheid GeneXpert and Infinity and will be ordered as needed by the Microbiology Department. Location: Instruments located in the CAVHS Microbiology Laboratory. CAVHS PLMS 113/LR Microbiology Laboratory, Rm 2E-121 4300 West 7th Street Little Rock, AR 72205 Period of performance: The period of performance is FY2020 October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020 Contact Person(s): TBD (To be determined) Deliver all equipment, reagents, and other supplies to: CAVHS, PLMS 113/LR, Microbiology Laboratory, Room 2E-121, 4300 West 7th Street, Little Rock, AR 72205. Deliverable schedule: Reagents to be ordered as needed by the Microbiology Laboratory and delivered within 5 days of ordering unless in rare emergency ordering situations when reagents shall be shipped overnight. Scope of Work: The following test will be completed with the reagents and consumables: Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Chlamydia trachomatis/Neisseria gonorrhea (CT/NG) C. Difficile/epi: Detection and differentiation of the epidemic strain (NAP 1/027) MTB/Rif: Must be able to indicate Rifampin Resistance Xpress Xpert Flu Xpress Xpert Flu/RSV Xpert Carba-R FII & FV Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus next generation (MRSA NXG) The reagents should be ready to use and have sufficient shelf-life, especially after being put into use, to accommodate low volume testing. Invoicing: Contractor must be able to accept payment by electronic fund transfer. Contractor must register in VAFSC Online Payment System. Invoices will list the number of kits purchased.

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