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FBO DAILY ISSUE OF SEPTEMBER 26, 2010 FBO #3228
DOCUMENT

65 -- Advanced Microscopes for the Boston VA research department - Justification and Approval (J&A)

Notice Date

9/24/2010
 

Notice Type

Justification and Approval (J&A)
 

NAICS

339112 — Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing
 

Contracting Office

Department of Veterans Affairs;VAMC Providence;830 Chalkstone Avenue;Providence RI 02908
 

ZIP Code

02908
 

Archive Date

11/21/2010
 

Point of Contact

Kristine Clark
 

E-Mail Address

ct
 

Small Business Set-Aside

N/A
 

Award Number

VA523D00395
 

Award Date

9/22/2010
 

Description

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION Upon the basis of the following justification, I, as Contracting Officer, hereby approve the use of other than full and open competition of the proposed contractual action pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 252c(6.302-2 Unusual and Compelling) 1. Identification number SHEEP101JTM U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Contracting Office 940 Belmont Street Brockton, MA 02301 proposes to enter into a contract on a basis of other than full and open competition for Research Service. *2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved. Emergency procurement of the following: This is a new firm fixed-price contract that is being awarded other than full and open competition due to the fact that this microscopy system is only available from this vendor. The system includes a Zeiss Apotome structured illumination fluorescent and light microscope, and is fully integrated with an automated stage and PC system, equipped with software tools to perform state-of-the-art cellular quantification and analysis, provided by the company Microbrightfield. *3. Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs. This requirement is to provide a high-powered microscope capable of fluorescent and light microscopy, fully integrated with a video camera, computer system, and cellular analysis programs from Microbrightfield. Modern microscope systems are very complicated, and all parts of these complex systems must work together seamlessly for optimal function. Therefore, purchasing such an integrated system from a single vendor will minimize any problems we may have with system. No other company besides Microbrightfield provides a fully integrated microscope system that includes cellular mapping (Neurolucida), morphology analysis (Auto Neuron) stereology (Stereo Investigator), and density measurement (Densita) programs needed for our neuroanatomical investigations. Furthermore, it is a great advantage to have a single source/company (Microbrightfield) for all support and servicing needs of this system. 4. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition. FAR 6.302-2, 41 USC 253 (c)(1), as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 6.302-2 entitled "unusual & compelling". *5. A statement demonstrating the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the action requiring the use of authority. Microbrightfield is uniquely qualified to provide these services to the VA Boston Healthcare System (VABHS) based on the following: They are the only supplier of this proprietary system, due to the critical nature of the system and it's unique characteristics (see also #3). The unique Zeiss Apotome microscopy system will allow increased contrast and resolution of a point of interest observed, by means of minimizing out-of-focus fluorescence. This system comprises of a state-of-the-art Zeiss structured illumination Apotome microscope and video capture system, providing high resolution, multidimensional imaging of cells and tissue. Cellular location and morphology is first revealed with immunohistochemical treatment of tissue. Other characteristics may also be labeled, including neurotransmitter phenotype and localization of receptors. Connectivity between neurons and brain regions may be revealed by means of anterograde and retrograde tracing. Antibodies for the immediate early gene protein, c-Fos, may be used to label the nuclei of neurons that are active during certain behaviors or vigilance states. Apoptosis (programmed cell death), neurogenesis (cell birth) may also be labeled with immunohistochemistry. 3D depiction of these labels will be performed with this system, allowing the most complete description of co-localization within individual cells, as well as apposition of anterograde labeled fibers on target neurons. The microscope will be fully integrated with an automated stage and PC system, equipped with software tools to perform state-of-the-art quantification. Modern microscope systems are very complicated, and include not only the microscope but integrated computers, digital cameras, and analysis software. All parts of these complex systems must work together seamlessly for optimal function. Microbrightfield is the world's leading company for computer-based analysis of tissue and cells, especially in the field of neuroscience. The company specializes in the set up of microscopic systems, integrated with the proper cellular analysis software. These unique analysis programs are not available from another vendor. Therefore, it is requested that, in addition to the Zeiss Apotome microscope, the appropriate video acquisition cameras, computer system, and analysis programs be included in this purchase. These programs, exclusively sold by Microbrightfield, include Neurolucida, Densita, Stereo Investigator, and Auto Neuron, and are now considered standard for anatomical experiments. These tools will allow researchers of the VA Boston Healthcare System to perform such methods as cell counts, anatomical mapping, neuron tracing and reconstruction, morphometry, and 3D serial section reconstruction, which will allow visualization of tissue regions and cell groups. The two microscope systems currently present in the microscope core at the Brockton VA are more than 10 years old and do not allow imaging of such high contrast or resolution, such as structured illumination. As a result, we are presently hindered in a number of our neuroanatomical studies, where this level of imaging and the integrated cell analysis software provided by Microbrightfield is needed. Although the West Roxbury VA presently has a laser-based confocal microscope, it is quite far from the Brockton facility (>30 minute travel time), and it does not include the integrated software programs from Microbrightfield, which allow cell quantification and analysis, including stereology, that are essential for us. We think these features will also be useful to other investigators within VABHS - Brockton, Jamaica Plain, and West Roxbury campuses. *6. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable,including whether a Commerce Business Daily notice was or will be published. This is proprietary equipment and is not available on GSA schedule. 7. Determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable. The Contracting Officer determines that the anticipated price(s) will be fair and reasonable based on vendor certification that quoted prices are less than or equal to MSRP. By signing the justification the Contracting Officer makes a determination that the costs/prices to the Government are expected to be fair and reasonable. 8. Description of the market survey conducted. This is proprietary equipment only available from the manufacturer. *9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition, such as an explanation why technical data packages, specifications, engineering descriptions, statements of work, or purchase descriptions suitable for full and open competition haven't been developed or aren't available. Microbrightfield is the world's leading company for computer-based analysis of tissue and cells, especially in the field of neuroscience. The company specializes in the set up of microscopic systems, integrated with the proper cellular analysis software. These unique analysis programs are not available from another vendor, and include Neurolucida, Stereo Investigator, Autoneuron, and Densita, which are now considered standard for anatomical experiments. These tools will allow researchers to perform such methods as cell counts, anatomical mapping, neuron tracing and reconstruction, morphometry, and 3D serial section reconstruction, which will allow visualization of tissue regions and cell groups. 10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, An interest in the acquisition. 11. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required. Work with the vendor to place their products on FSS schedule. CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the data provided herein is complete and accurate to support other than full and open competition. _________________________________________________________ SIGNATURE OF APPROVING OFFICIAL DATE FOR REQUESTING SERVICE CONTRACTING OFFICER DATE
 

Web Link

FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/724f9e126403f6fd4001405337ec419d)
 

Document(s)

Justification and Approval (J&A)
 

File Name: VA523D00395 VA523D00395 JA.doc (https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/FBODocumentServer/DocumentServer.aspx?DocumentId=158870&FileName=-415.doc)

Link: https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/FBODocumentServer/DocumentServer.aspx?DocumentId=158870&FileName=-415.doc

 

Note: If links are broken, refer to Point of Contact above or contact the FBO Help Desk at 877-472-3779.
 

Record

SN02295371-W 20100926/100924234502-724f9e126403f6fd4001405337ec419d (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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