THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) /Â SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE IS ISSUEDÂ SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION.
SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION ABOUT PRICING, DELIVERY, THE MARKET, AND CAPABILITIES IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED AND ALLOWED UNDER THIS RFI FOR PLANNING PURPOSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH (IAW) FAR 15.201(e).
DISCLAIMER
This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes 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 15.201(e), 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.
SOURCES SOUGHT/RFI DESCRIPTION
This is NOT a solicitation announcement. This is a Sources Sought Notice / RFI only. The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice / RFI is to gain information about potential qualified sources and their size classification relative to NAICS 325412 (size standard of 1,300 Employees). Responses to this Sources Sought Notice / RFI will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After review of the responses to this Sources Sought Notice / RFI, further RFIs and/or a solicitation or other announcements may be published.
STATEMENT OF WORK
SCOPE:
Department of Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System Nuclear Medicine service is looking for a medical-grade generator used in nuclear medicine to create and deliver a technetium 99m (Tc 99m) labeled carbon nanoparticle aerosol for high-resolution pulmonary ventilation imaging. VA San Diego Nuclear Medicine intends to set up a firm fixed-price contract for base plus option four years for this need.
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:
Base: August 1, 2026 July 31, 2027
Option Year 1 (OY1): August 1, 2027 July 31, 2028
Option Year 2 (OY2): August 1, 2028 July 31, 2029
Option Year 3 (OY3): August 1, 2029 July 31, 2030
Option Year 4 (OY4): August 1, 2030 July 31, 2031
PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:
VA San Diego Healthcare System
3350 La Jolla Village Drive
Nuclear Medicine Service
San Diego, CA 92161
Delivery Location Nuclear Medicine Service, Building 1, 4 West, Room 4071,
Drop off in Hot-lab Room 4064A
Normal Work Hours 6:00am to 4:00pm, Monday through Friday
DELIVERABLES:
Period of Performance
Line Item
Description
Qty
UOM
Base
0001
Technegas Plus System or Equivalent System Access and Service Agreement Fee Base Year
1
YR
Base
0002
Technegas System Pack | 50 Patients Sets
3
EA
Base
0003
Delivery, Installation, Applications Training
1
JB
Base
0004
Supplemental Online Training
1
JB
Base
0005
Supplemental On-site Training
1
JB
OY1
1001
Technegas Plus System or Equivalent System Access and Service Agreement Fee OY1
1
YR
OY1
1002
Technegas System Pack | 50 Patients Sets
3
EA
OY2
2001
Technegas Plus System or Equivalent System Access and Service Agreement Fee OY2
1
YR
OY2
2002
Technegas System Pack | 50 Patients Sets
3
EA
OY3
3001
Technegas Plus System or Equivalent System Access and Service Agreement Fee OY3
1
YR
OY3
3002
Technegas System Pack | 50 Patients Sets
3
EA
OY4
4001
Technegas Plus System or Equivalent System Access and Service Agreement Fee OY4
1
YR
OY4
4002
Technegas System Pack | 50 Patients Sets
3
EA
REQUIREMENTS:
NOTE: Potential quoters must be aware that the items being acquired are procured as Brand Name or Equal. For those items that are or equal , a description of the salient characteristics is outlined below. It is quoter s responsibility to demonstrate its quote meeting the salient physical and functional characteristics included in this solicitation. If the quoter does NOT demonstrate, the quote will be considered non-responsive. The interested parties bear full responsibility to ensure their submission demonstrates to the government that they can satisfy the requirement by providing the brand name or equal to the supplies being requested.
VAAR 852.212-71 Gray Market and Counterfeit Items Clause applies on this acquisition. No remanufacturers 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 signed. The letter must either state specific product(s) quoted or that the quoter is an authorized distributor for all the manufacturer s products. This letter must be on the manufacturer s letterhead and contains the signature of an authorized official for the manufacturer.
SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
Must be FDA-approved as a radioactive diagnostic agent for pulmonary ventilation imaging agent.
Must generate Tc-99m-labled carbon nanoparticle using a high-temperature carbon crucible process that requires argon to prevent oxidation and ensure proper particle formation.
Must utilize high-purity argon gas as the required insert atmosphere for aerosol generation to provide the insert, oxygen-free environment necessary for safe high-temperature aerosol generation and proper formation of the Tc-99m-labled carbon nanoparticles used for ventilation imaging.
Must provide deep peripheral lung protection with gas-like distribution; enabling high-resolution SPECT or planar imaging. Target lung counts rate must be 1,500-2,500 cps for adults and 500 1,000 cps for pediatrics. Inhalation should only require 2 to maximum 5 breaths.
System must include automated safety features, such as purge cycles, leak detection, and timed delivery cutoff.
System must maintain a sealed argon environment during the burn and simmer cycles to ensure consistent aerosol quality and prevent contamination.
Must require an external argon gas supply (cylinders or equivalent source) as part of the system s operational infrastructure to prevent oxidation and provide oxygen-free environment required to prevent oxidation.
Must be compliant with U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) radiation safety standards (10 CFR 35) as part of system design and operational performance.
Must provide installation, on-site and virtual training.
PACKAGING AND MARKING:
a) Items must be properly packaged to prevent damage during shipping, handling, and storage.
b) All outer packages must contain the complete purchase number, obligation number and contract number in addition to the shipping address. The purchase number and obligation number will be provided by the individual at the time of ordering. The contract number will be provided upon notice of contract award.
c) Packaging List: A packing list/slip shall be enclosed with each shipment indicating the purchase/obligation and delivery order number, contract number, items/quality ordered and items/quality shipped.
RECALLED AND DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS:
The Contractor will immediately notify the Contracting Officer of any recalls of product or other important product safety issues. As appropriate, the Contractor will replace and/or reimburse recalled / defective products at no cost to the Government. The Contractor may be liable for costs of processing recalls, i.e. administrative and clinical services to replace recalled / defective products.
SAFETY GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS:
The Contractor shall perform all functions of the contract in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), FDA, NRC, Joint Commission safety guidelines and Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements. The Contractor shall self-report any violations to the COR within twenty-four (24) hours. Delivery personnel shall be trained in Radiation Safety Techniques, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Joint Commission safety guidelines and Department of Transportation requirements.
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS OBSERVED BY THE GOVERNMENT:
New Year s Day January 1
Martin Luther King s Birthday 3rd Monday in January
Presidents Day 3rd Monday in February
Memorial Day Last Monday in May
Juneteenth June 19
Independence Day July 4
Labor Day 1st Monday in September
Columbus Day 2nd Monday in October
Veterans Day November 11
Thanksgiving Day 4th Thursday in November
Christmas Day December 25th
The President of the United States of America may declare additional days as a federal holiday, and if so, this holiday will automatically be added to the list above. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be observed as a Federal holiday. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday shall be observed as a Federal Holiday.
CONTRACTOR DELIVERY PERSONNEL:
All contractor personnel are required to wear clothing bearing the name of the Contractor and wear a badge that has the Contractor name. Contractor personnel must have a picture I.D. and must be able to speak English.
PARKING AND SPEED LIMIT:
Park only in areas designated by the Program Office Manager or otherwise directed by Police and Security Service personnel. The Contractor shall display on each of its vehicles the company name in a size that is clearly visible. Upon receipt of award, the Contractor shall submit a list of employees and vehicles to the Program Office of each facility. The Contractor shall conform to the speed limit set at each Government facility. Should Contractor personnel receive a citation for parking, speeding or other infraction from VA Security, the offenses will be handled in Federal Court as they are Federal offenses.
INVOICE AND PAYMENT:
No advanced payments will be authorized. The contractor shall submit invoices monthly. The invoice must have at a minimum, the contract number, assigned purchase order, assigned obligation number, date order was placed, date order was shipped, and any additional necessary detailed information to identify service rendered. Payment on invoice may be delayed in invoice(s) are not completed properly.
The list of DRAFT characteristics is intended to be descriptive, not restrictive, of the supplies/services that are required.
If your company is interested and capable of providing the required supplies/services, please provide the information indicated below. Response to this notice should include company name, address, point of contact, size of business pursuant to the following questions:
(1) Submit your capabilities statement illustrating how your organization can/cannot meet the list of SOW requirements. For instances where your company cannot meet the SOW requirement(s), please explain. For instances where your company can meet the SOW requirement(s), please show how your company meets/exceeds each requirement.
(2) Please review the list of SOW requirements and provide any additional feedback or suggestions. If none, please reply as N/A.
(3) 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.
(4) Is your company considered small under the NAICS code identified in this RFI?
(5) Are you the manufacturer, authorized distributor, and/or can your company provide a solution to the required supplies/services described in the list of SOW?
(6) If you are a large business, do you have any designated/authorized distributors? If so, please provide their company name, telephone, point of contact and size status (if available).
(7) If you re a small business and you are an authorized distributor/reseller for the items identified above, do you alter; assemble; modify; the items requested in any way? If you do, state how and what is altered; assembled; modified.
(8) Limitations on Subcontracting: How does your business ensure compliance with the limitations on subcontracting as outlined in 13 CFR § 125.6?
(9) Are the items you are identifying/providing considered Commercial of the Shelf (COTS) items as defined in FAR Part 2.101 under commercial items?
(10) Non-Manufacturer Rule: If applicable, can you confirm your business complies with the Non-Manufacturer rule? Specifically, does your company: Provide a product from a small business manufacturer or processor? Not exceed 500 employees? Primarily engage in the retail or wholesale trade and normally sell the type of item being supplied? Take ownership or possession of the item(s) with its personnel, equipment or facilities in a manner consistent with industry practice?
(11) Please indicate whether your product conforms to the requirements of the Buy American Act?
(12) What is your lead time to deliver a single unit with all components? Is there scale in lead time with greater quantities? Please elaborate.
(13) What is estimated life span of your solution? What support/services does that entail?
(14) Does your proposed equipment have FDA clearance? Please specify what FDA clearance(s) have been obtained.
(15) Does your organization offer a leasing solution? Please elaborate.
(16) Does your company have a Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) GSA/NAC/SAC/BPA/NASA SEWP or any other Federal Government contract? If so, please provide the contract number(s).
(17) If you are an FSS GSA/NAC/SAC/BPA/NASA SEWP or any other Federal Government contract holder, are all the items/solutions you are providing information about available on your schedule/contract? Please state if all or some items are available on the contract.
(18) General pricing of your products/solution is encouraged. Pricing will be used for the purpose of market research only. It will not be used to evaluate for any type of award.
(19) Please provide your SAM.gov Unique Entity ID/Cage Code number.
Responses to this notice shall be submitted via email to Hestia.Sim@va.gov. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Responses must be received no later than Thursday, June 25, 2026, by 10AM Pacific Local Time.
All responses to this Sources Sought/RFI will be used for planning purposes only. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice / RFI are not considered a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation. If further RFIs and/or a solicitation or other announcement is issued as a result of the information provided from this RFI, all interested parties must respond to the specific posting separately IAW the specifications of that announcement.
