THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION.  PURSUANT TO: 25 U.S.C. 47, BUY INDIAN ACT TO GIVE PREFERENCE TO:  INDIAN ECONOMIC ENTERPRISES.   More information may be found at this link: https://www.ihs.gov/ihm/pc/part-5/p5c5/#6-1

This is a Sources Sought Notice only and is being issued to conduct market research and gain knowledge of current market capabilities. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation or a guarantee to issue a solicitation in the future.  This notice does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary; the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government.

The Indian Health Service / Bemidji MN, is conducting market research to identify potential sources to perform a five-year firm fixed price contract for a Walk-away, fully automated urinalysis testing equipment, supplies set-up on an auto shipped schedule, and a service and maintenance agreement in compliance with CLIA and COLA.

1. Required Features

The instrument shall be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the use in urinalysis testing.  The instrument shall have macroscopic and microscopic testing capabilities.  Instrument shall include hardware and software to perform microscopic testing visually electronically through a monitor rather than with a manual microscope.  Macroscopic chemical analysis of urine is to include but not limit to: Color, Clarity, specific Gravity, PH, presence/absence of leukocyte esterase, nitrates, total protein, glucose, ketone, urobilinogen, blood, and bilirubin.  Microscopic analysis of the urine shall be able to detect at least: RBC/HPF, URINE WBC/HPF, WBC CLUMPS, BACTERIA, YEAST, SQUAMOUS EPITHELIAL, TRANSITIONAL EPITH. CELLS, RENAL EPITHELIAL CELLS, HYALINE CASTS, EPITHELIAL CASTS, WBC (White Blood Cell) CASTS, RBC (Red Blood Cell) CASTS, GRANULAR CASTS, FATTY CASTS, TRI PHOSPHATE CRYSTALS, CA++ OXALATE CRYSTALS, CA++ PHOSPHATE CRYSTAL, CA++ CARBONATE CRYSTAL, URIC ACID CRYSTALS, WAXY CASTS  The instrument shall be walk away-fully automated, have a barcode scanner that scans user labels. Equipment must accept, at a minimum, 10 characters in specimen identifier that is alphanumeric.  Shall contain software with evaluation rules that can be adjusted per clinical director instructions for specimen review at each site.  Contractor shall collaborate with each lab to write/develop protocols to establish customer configurable rules to enhance workflow management and productivity at no additional cost to the government.  Shall assist customer with optimizing operation and utilization of the data management system to fully integrate desired testing instrumentation enhancing productivity and management of workflow at no additional cost to the government.  The instrumentation shall have monitors/screens that clearly display information in all light conditions. Contractor shall supply 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).  An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) with line conditioner for each instrument provided.  Sufficient memory to store patient information and test records with downloading capability to an external medium for long term storage of patient records and other information.  Ability to store and retransmit records (24 hours of maximal instrument throughput) in case of interface outage.  Dimensions – instrument must be a bench top model (not free standing). Measurements for both the macroscopic and microscopic should be approximately: Width - 50 inches, Depth – 30 inches, Height– 30 inches.