Notice of Intent to Sole Source Requirement The Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Boston Healthcare System, VISN 1 Contracting Activity intends to negotiate a sole source contract under Simplified Acquisition Procedures and the authority of FAR Part 6.302-1, only one responsible source for the following items listed below. The associated NAICS code for this laboratory supply is 326199. The vendor, Matrix Technologies is a large business, and they are located at 22 Friars Dr., Hudson, NH 03051-4900. Description of requirements: Part Number #3741 - Matrix 2D Barcoded ScrewTop Storage Tubes & Caps (Qty - 200 cases) Technical Specifications " Product Information: 1.0 ml 2D Barcoded, V Bottom ScrewTop Tubes w/ Caps, Sterile " Tube Material: Virgin Class VI Medical Grade Polypropylene " Rack Material: Virgin Class VI Medical Grade Polycarbonate with polypropylene latches " Cap Material: Virgin Class VI Medical Grade Polypropylene with Virgin Class VI Medical Grade Silicone O-ring " Autoclavable: Yes, with cap loosened " 2D Code Choices: Non-proprietary, 12x12 Data-matrix with ECC200 Built-in Error Correction " Tube/Cap Temp Range: -180 °C to 121 °C; Autoclaving and boiling to vapor phase liquid nitrogen storage " ScrewTop Cap Tray Material: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Benefits " Unique 2D barcodes are permanently laser etched on each tube bottom. Scan and decode tubes all at once without removing them from the rack, and associate data with each " 8x12 format enables pipette filling of 8, 12 or 96 tubes " Tubes come in Latch Racks for added security and protection of samples " Built-in error correction ensures that barcodes will never be misread " 100% quality control checks that every code is unique and readable " Solid, one-piece construction; storage enabled down to cryogenic temperatures " All tubes and trays are supplied free from DNA, RNAse, DNAse, endotoxins and cytotoxins. Tubes should be tested under individual laboratory conditions Research and Development is integral to the activities of the VA, as medical research is one of it's the three fundamental missions. VA Boston Healthcare has one of the largest and most active research programs in the VA nationwide. The Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center (MAVERIC) Core Laboratory processes and stores specimens for clinical trials run by the VA Cooperative Studies Program. The requested product is necessary to guarantee accurate and sufficient identification and storage of samples, to provide study stake-holders and analysis labs with high quality samples, and to facilitate the processing of such a large volume of samples. These cryovials are automation "friendly". Automation friendly implies that the tubes must be in standard SBS microplate format so they are aligned with the pipettor of the automated system. Additionally, the rack dimensions are specifically defined so the robot arms can move the racks as required. On an operational level the storage schema of the laboratory is centered around the exact specifications of these storage vials. Each current piece of automated equipment is set up and calibrated for this specific consumable's specifications. More specifically, the robotic hardware has been calibrated for the exact dimensions of this tube and its corresponding storage rack. The controlling software has been calibrated to recognize and handle this exact tube and its corresponding storage rack. Special automated equipment has been purchased to cap and uncap these tubes, and it will not currently work with any other tube or tube format. Custom freezer racks were designed against the exact dimensions of this tube and the corresponding storage rack. Additionally, the freezer identification and inventory system is being set up to read, track, and retrieve this exact cryovial. This procurement will be a firm fixed price contract with no option years and shall be awarded. It is the Government's belief that only the proposed candidate possesses the required capabilities to successfully meet this requirement. It is the Government's intention to solicit and negotiate with only this source. The vendor - Matrix Technologies is a large business. This is not a Request for Proposal. However, any other businesses that can provide an equal or better product must submit their technical capabilities, to include, technical specifications of their product, past performance information, price, estimated shipping costs and delivery time. This information will be reviewed by the Government's technical representatives for consideration for future requirements. Email statements are preferred. Statements are due no later than March 9, 2011 1:00 PM EST. Phone inquiries will not be accepted. Email: [email protected] Contract Specialist, VISN 1 Contracting Activity. This is not a solicitation; it is a Notice of Intent to Sole Source requirement.

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