VA Medical Center, Attn: Contracting Officer (90C), 7305 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33410-6400

65 -- VIRAL TEST KITS AND PIPETTING SYSTEM SOL RFP 548-01-98 DUE 090497 POC Suzanne Byrne 561-882-6517 / 561-882-6508 VA West Palm Beach, Florida intends to negotiate a sole source agreement, under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, with Abbott Diagnostics to purchase viral test kits and lease of a pipetting system. The pipetting system must be able to interface with our existing Commander Parallel Processing Center, as well as perform the following tasks: positive volume verification, no carry- over, bar code reader capable of reading Codabar -- Alpha; Codabar- Numeric, Code 39 and ISBT 128, able to use standard Commander racks, software compatible to the Commander Parellel Processing Center, automatic bar code reader and instrument must have a bi- directional host interfaced. This is a sole source requirement and if no affirmative written responses are received that a comparable source is available, a sole source contract will be negotiated. Responses must be received, in writing, within 15 calendar days of publication of this notice. Interested parties must submit descriptive literature with their response proving their capability to respond to the requirements. Requests must be in writing. No telephone or fax requests will be accepted. (0227)

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