6515--Equipment- Unity VCS VLTP/Surgery - Ann Arbor

Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition

This document justifies the use of other than full and open competition for the procurement of three (3) Unity VCS VLTP/Surgery machines for the Ophthalmology department at the LTC Charles S. Kettels VA Medical Center in Ann Arbor, MI. The procurement is for a new firm fixed-price Purchase Order.

• Three (3) Unity VCS VLTP machines, including consoles, footswitches, phaco handpieces, and Ozil Frag handpiece.

• Twenty-seven (27) ALCON 4D Phaco Handpieces.

• Delivery is anticipated within 1 month of order receipt.

• Award Number: 36C25026P0502

• Award Amount: $675,624.00

• Award Date: 04-06-2026

• Awardee: O R ELDER INC

• Statutory Authority: FAR 6.302-1 - Only one responsible source (except brand name).

• The Ann Arbor VA Health Care System's current Alcon Centurion machines are at end-of-life.

• The Unity VCS offers unique technology (dual peristaltic pump, Venturi option, nitrogen-independent function) not available from competitors.

• Specific advantages include faster cataract removal (4D Phaco), reduced energy delivery, and thermal monitoring (Unity Thermal Sentry).

• For retina surgery, it offers the fastest vitrectomy probe (Unity Hypervit) and a unique multi-spot illuminated laser probe (Unity TetraSpot).

• It is a combined anterior and posterior segment machine, reducing OR footprint and potential repair delays compared to separate machines.

• One current machine is non-operational, requiring $40,000 in repairs, and both systems need replacement.

• Lack of a backup machine poses risks to patient safety and access, potentially leading to surgical delays and irreversible vision loss.

• O R Elder Inc. is identified as the only firm capable of providing these supplies and services without unacceptable delays.

• Nick Kurtz from the OEM (Alcon) confirmed that all capital equipment is sourced exclusively through O R Elder.

• Market research identified 635 VOSB results for NAICS 334510, but zero results when adding "Vitreoretinal Cataract System".

• O R Elder Inc. was identified as an SDVOSB.

• Prior purchases of the UNITY Vitreoretinal Cataract System since 2016 were exclusively from O R Elder.

• Searches on GSA Advantage and NAC for "Vitreoretinal Cataract System" yielded no results.

• A previous sources sought (36C25626Q0440) for a similar requirement also resulted in only one response from O R Elder.

• The agency will survey the marketplace for future procurements to identify potential barriers to competition.

• Buy American Act applies; products are made in the United States.

Notice of Intent to Award Sole Source

This document is a Notice of Intent (NOI) from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Procurement Office Central (RPOC), Network Contracting Office 10 (NCO 10), to award a sole source contract for three (3) Unity Vitrectomy machines to OR Elder, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).

• Three (3) Unity Vitrectomy machines.

• Delivery within 90 days After Receipt of Order (ARO).

• The VA believes OR Elder is the only candidate with the required capabilities.

• The contract will be solicited and negotiated with only this source.

• The period of performance is for delivery.

• This notice is NOT a request for competitive proposals.

• However, responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation.

• Vendors must indicate if they are the direct supplier.

• Supporting evidence must demonstrate the ability to perform and include:

  • Relevant corporate experience
  • Applicable contract number
  • Total contract dollar amount
  • Contract period of performance
  • Details of relevant services
  • Customer point of contact (phone and email)

• Responses must include:

  • Company Name
  • SAM UEI number
  • Company's address
  • Point of Contact information (title, phone, email)
  • Business size

• Responses will be evaluated, but the government has sole discretion not to compete.

• The intended awardee, OR Elder, is an SDVOSB.

• The NAICS code is 334510 (Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing) with a size standard of 1250 employees.

• Response Date/Time: March 23, 2026, 4:30 PM Eastern Time, New York, USA.

• Responses must be submitted via email to brooke.hansen@va.gov.

• No phone inquiries will be accepted. Contact Brooke Hansen (brooke.hansen@va.gov) for questions.