1.0 DESCRIPTION It is the intent of the Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 2 specifically the VA WNY Healthcare System, Syracuse VA Medical Center, Albany Stratton VA Medical Center, and New York Harbor Healthcare System to establish a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for blood culture bottles to include Automated Blood Culture Instrumentation. This Request for Information (RFI) is issued in accordance with the FAR 10.002(b)(2) to determine the availability and technical capabilities of qualified sources. The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing and the associated size standard is 1,000 employees. The FAR Provision found at 52.204-7(b)(1) requires that All interested Offerors must be registered in SAM prior to submitting an offer or quotation. You may access the SAM website at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/. All quoters must be certified with the appropriate NAICS code on the SAM website. All SDVOSB/VOSB offerors must be verified in the Vendor Information Pages (VIP) database at: https://www.vip.vetbiz.va.gov/ at the time of quote submission. This notice is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a commitment on the part of the Government to award a contract, nor does the Government intend to pay for any information submitted as a result of this notice. This RFI is part of a continuous process for obtaining the latest information on the commercial status of the industry with respect to their current and near-term abilities. The information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for, or award, a competitive contract. It is emphasized that this is a notice solely for planning and informational purposes. 2.0 QUESTIONS Business Size: Type of Business of Prime Contractor (Check all applicable boxes) Large Business  Small Business (Check type of Small Business Below, if applicable)   Small Disadvantaged Business (SBA Certified)  Women-Owned Small Business  HUB Zone Small Business (SBA Certified)  Veteran Owned Small Business*   Serviced Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business*   8(a) Small Business (SBA Certified)  *If SDVOSB or VOSB indicate if your company is certified on VetCert Does your company maintain any Schedule Contracts (e.g., GSA, GWAC etc.)? If so, list where the required supplies are offered (please provide the contract number, expiration date, and Government point of contact). Does your company have the ability to provide the necessary equipment and/or the required services (i.e., installation)? See SOW attachment for equipment being considered. Are you a manufacturer or authorized distributor of this equipment? What country were the products manufactured in? Note, we are seeking domestic sources. Please provide a capability statement that includes your SAM.gov UEI number. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice shall include the following: Responses are due via email to latriece.bruce@va.gov by 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) July 13, 2025. DISCLAIMER: This Source Sought/RFI 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. In accordance with 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 Source/Sought RFI. The Government is not obligated to provide comments to vendor submissions.
