DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Justification for Single Source Awards IAW FAR 13.106-1 For Over Micro-Purchase Threshold but Not Exceeding the SAT ($250K) Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C250-23-AP-2782 Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office (NCO) 10, located at 3140 Governor s Place Blvd., Suite 210, Kettering OH 45409, in support of VISN 10 at Ann Arbor VAMC, 2215 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105-2303. The Ann Arbor VAMC Research Laboratory has requested Animal Research Cages. 2237 - Brief Description of Supplies/ Services required and the intended use/Estimated Amount: The Research Department in collaboration with Dr. Courtney Stewart are requesting Allentown LLC to supply various cages and accessories to house aging lab rats. Estimated cost: Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one source, with the reason no other supplies or services can be used: Currently, the Research Lab has Allentown caging in our facility and certain rack parts can be interchangeable, as might not be the case with other companies, especially lixit valves and exhaust blowers units. These rack systems can be hooked up to the current Avidity/Edstrom automatic watering system that are currently at the facility. The Allentown cages are a design that is suitable for maintenance with the current cage and rack wash system. Following an attendance to the National American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (NAALAS) the current Veterinary Medical Unit Supervisor noted the following: The VA currently has Allentown caging and after inspecting caging systems from other companies like Alternative Designs and Techniplast the caging substitutes with the same type of floor space i.e. guinea pig cages did not have the proper type of material available to safely contain the rats. Heavy duty plastic lids with a filter paper insert is not capable of containing the rats as they can and will chew through this type of top. Also, Allentown was able to offer the cage floor space needed and intercage enrichment items for these larger than normal rats (up to 2 years old and over 500 grams). This allows the project to keep cagemates together from the inception of the protocol through till the end. It allows enough space to cut down on fighting between cagemates as they have room to spread out. Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted: VIP/VetCert/DSBS were all searched in attempt to locate SD/VOSB vendors that could provide the requested items. Utilizing NAICS 334516 and key word Animal/Rat Cages where applicable, the findings were as follows: VIP w/NAICS 119 vendors; VIP w/NAICS & key words 3 vendors; VetCert w/NAICS 187 vendors; DSBS w/NAICS & key words no vendors. In addition to the above search, the following sites were used as further Market Research: Contract Opportunities, eCMS, FPDS, GSA, NAC, and SCMC. These searches found no additional vendors that could provide these very specific items that are required for the Research Lab Animals. Therefore, the VA Rule of Two is not obtainable with this procurement. Contracting Officer's Certification: Purchase is approved in accordance with FAR13.106-1(b). I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. LouAnn Gilliiland Contracting Officer