SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE
THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI/Sources Sought) IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION. THE SUBMISSION OF PRICING, CAPABILITIES FOR PLANNING PURPOSES, AND OTHER MARKET INFORMATION IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED AND ALLOWED UNDER THIS RFI IN ACCORDANCE WITH (IAW) FAR 10.002(b)(2), FAR 12.101, FAR 12.103 & FAR 12.202(a).
DISCLAIMER
This request for information, sources sought (RFI/Sources Sought) is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. IAW FAR 10.002(b)(2), FAR 12.101, FAR 12.103 & FAR 12.202(a), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.
This is NOT a solicitation announcement. This is a sources sought/RFI only. The purpose of this sources sought/RFI is to gain knowledge of potential qualified Small Businesses under NAICS 339112, (Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing industry), but does not exclude others from responding. Responses to this source sought will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After review of the responses to this source sought, a solicitation announcement may be published. Responses to this source sought synopsis are not considered adequate responses for a solicitation announcement.
SOURCES SOUGHT DESCRIPTION
The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 10, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, is seeking sources that can provide a Accommodation Meter plusoptiX R09 (PowerRef 3) and accessories for Surgical Department Mechanical Room that meets the following:
Product/Items
ITEM NO. DESCRIPTION QUANTIYT UNIT
OR STOCK NO.
Request purchase only of Accommodation Meter plusoptiX R09 (PowerRef 3)
Accommodation Meter plusoptiX R09 (PowerRef 3) incl. Medical Power Adaptor 1 EA
2. Software Licence RP Dynamic measurements of accommodation in sphere, convergence and pupil size changes in scotopic, mesopic and photopic conditions 1 EA
3. Complete measurement set-up kit (includes former MIRROR, SLIDE and REST) 1 EA
4. Shipping and Handling 1 EA
Specifications & Salient Characteristics
Technical Specifications
Refraction (vertical meridian):
Binocular and monocular measurement
Spherical range: +5.00 D to 7.00 D, in increments of 0.01 D
Pupil size:
Range: 4.0 8.0 mm, measured in 0.1 mm steps, ±10% accuracy
Pupil distance (interpupillary distance):
Measured in 1.0 mm steps, ±10% accuracy
Sampling rate:
50 Hz (one measurement every 20 ms)
Measuring distance:
Standard working distance of 1 m (± 5 cm)
Measurement principle:
Binocular, dynamic photoretinoscopy
Interfaces & Power Requirements
Interfaces:
4 × USB ports
1 × VGA output (supports 1024 × 768 resolution)
Power supply:
AC 100 240 V, 50 60 Hz, 2.5 A (excluding monitor)
Environmental Conditions
Operating temperature: 10 35 °C (50 92 °F)
Storage temperature: 0 50 °C (32 122 °F)
Relative humidity (non-condensing):
Operating: 20 80%
Storage: 10 85%
Data Output & Logging
Measurements are continuously recorded into a CSV logfile, capturing:
Timestamp (every 20 ms)
LED brightness (percentage)
Pupil detection status (found/not found)
Pupil size (width & height in mm)
Pupil brightness (digital units 0 255)
Purkinje reflex size & position (pixels: X & Y)
Gaze angles (horizontal & vertical in degrees)
Spherical refraction per eye, including mean & standard deviation over last 10 frames
Interpupillary distance in mm
Camera horizontal angle
Salient Functional Characteristics
Binocular dynamic measurement:
Tracks continuous changes in accommodation (sphere), convergence, and pupil size for both eyes
50 Hz real-time sampling:
High temporal resolution enables precise tracking of fast dynamics
Open-field fixation:
Uses a hot mirror to allow naturalistic visual targets at any distance
Non-contact operation:
Measurements gathered without touching the subject
Research-grade device:
Designed specifically for scientific applications investigating accommodation response times, IOL performance, convergence accommodation relationships, and neuro-ophthalmologic metrics
Integration & Output
Data can be streamed via USB or recorded to a VGA-connected monitor
Outputs are ideal for integration into custom research setups and signal logging systems
Salient Characteristics Plusoptix PowerRef 3 Accommodation Measurement System
The PowerRef 3 system must meet the following minimum salient characteristics to satisfy clinical research and operational requirements for binocular, real time accommodation and convergence measurement:
1. Measurement Capability
Must perform simultaneous binocular measurement of:
Refractive state (sphere, vertical meridian)
Convergence/vergence
Pupil size (both eyes)
Must provide continuous, real time data acquisition suitable for dynamic accommodative and vergence analysis.
2. Sampling and Data Output
Must provide a minimum sampling rate of 50 Hz (20 ms intervals) to capture rapid accommodation fluctuations.
Must support continuous data streaming and export to external computers and research software.
Must allow real time or recorded output in spreadsheet compatible formats.
3. Optical and System Design
Must use infrared photorefraction technology.
Must include an open field optical design, enabling natural fixation on targets at varying distances without the constraints of an enclosed optical path.
Must incorporate a hot mirror target presentation system permitting both stationary and moving fixation stimuli at adjustable distances.
4. Calibration and Reliability
Must be engineered for long term calibration stability, requiring no routine recalibration under normal use.
Must include durable optics and electronics suited for repeated daily research use.
5. Fixation Target Flexibility
Must support user selectable fixation targets, including moving or adjustable distance stimuli for controlled accommodation and vergence testing.
6. Integration and Compatibility
Must be compatible with standard Windows based data acquisition systems, research platforms, or laboratory PCs.
Must allow USB or networked connection for external data handling.
7. System Configuration
Must include all necessary hardware, software, cables, and accessories required for full operational use upon installation.
Background: The VA-ORD-funded study Home-based Treatment of Binocular Eye Dysfunction in Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury (Mark Walker, M.D., principal investigator) will investigate physiological mechanisms underlying near vision impairment in Veterans and will conduct a pilot study to explore the feasibility and potential efficacy of virtual-reality for customized home therapy of convergence insufficiency. This study requires robust measures of ocular accommodation, the change in the shape of the eye s lens to focus on near images. For that purpose, we require a device that can measure directly changes in lens curvature and that can do this dynamically at a high enough sample rate to measure not only the amount but also the rate of accommodation. The device must also have integrated eye tracking for simultaneous measurement of ocular vergence. The PlusOptix PowerRef3 is the only currently available device that measures accommodation directly and dynamically, is portable, and includes eye tracking to measure simultaneous convergence.
Scope: Acquisition of an automated retinoscopy-based accommodation and ocular vergence measurement device, its control software, and associated measurement apparatus.  Â
The information identified above is intended to be descriptive, not restrictive and to indicate the quality of the supplies/services that will be satisfactory. It is the responsibility of the interested source to demonstrate to the government that the interested parties can provide the supplies/services that fulfill the required specifications.
If you are interested and can provide the sought-out supplies/services, please provide the requested information indicated below. Response to this notice should include company name, address, point of contact, DUNS number, and size of business pursuant to the following questions:
Please indicate the size status and representations of your business, such as but not limited to: Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), Hubzone, Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), Large Business, etc.)
Is your company considered small under the NAICS code identified under this RFI? If not, is your company considered small under a related NAICS code?
Are you the manufacturer or distributor of the items being referenced above (or equivalent product/solution)? What is the manufacturing country of origin of these items?
If you are a large business, do you have any designated distributors? If so, please provide their company name, telephone, point of Contact and size status (if available).
If you re a small business and you are an authorized distributor/reseller for the items identified above (or an equivalent solution), do you alter; assemble; modify; the items requested in any way? If you do, state how and what is altered; assembled; modified?
Does your company have an FSS contract with GSA or the NAC or are you a contract holder with NASA SEWP or any other federal contract? If so, please provide the contract type and number.
If you are an FSS GSA/NAC or NASA SEWP contract holder or other federal contract holder, are the referenced items/solutions you are providing information for available on your schedule/contract?
Please provide general pricing of your products/solution for market research purposes.
Please submit your capabilities in regard to the salient characteristics being provided and any information pertaining to brand name or equal to items to establish capabilities for planning purposes.
No re-manufactures or gray market items will be acceptable. Vendor shall be an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), authorized dealer, authorized distributor or authorized reseller verified by an authorization letter or other documents from the OEM.
SUBMISSION
Responses to this notice shall be submitted via email to kevin.peeples@va.gov and robert.blasko@va.gov referencing 36C25026Q0950 in the email. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Responses must be received no later than September 8, 2026, at 7:00am EST, (Eastern Standard Time). If a solicitation is issued it shall be announced at a later date, and all interested parties must respond to that solicitation announcement separately from the responses to this request for information. Responses to this notice are not a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation.
CLAUSES
FAR Number
Title
Date
52.209-6
PROTECTING THE GOVERNMENT S INTEREST WHEN SUBCONTRACTING WITH CONTRACTORS DEBARRED, SUSPENDED, OR PROPOSED FOR DEBARMENT
JAN 2025
52.212-4
CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS-- COMMERCIAL ITEMS
NOV 2023
52.222-90
52.232-33
ADDRESSING DEI DISCRIMINATION BY FEDERAL
CONTRACTORS
PAYMENT BY ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT
APR 2026
OCT 2018
52.252-2
CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
FEB 1998
52.232-40
PROVIDING ACCELERATED PAYMENTS TO SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTORS
MAR 2023
52.233-1
DISPUTES
MAY 2014
52.233-3
PROTEST AFTER AWARD
AUG 1996
852.219-76
852.203-70
VA NOTICE OF LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING-CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR SUPPLIES AND PRODUCTS (DEVIATION)
COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING
JAN 2023
MAY 2018
852.232-72
ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT REQUESTS
NOV 2018
852.237-70
CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES
OCT 2019
PROVISIONS
52.212-1
INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS-COMMERCIAL ITEMS
SEP 2023
52.212-2
EVALUATION--COMMERCIAL ITEMS
NOV 2021
