NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE - EXAM CHAIRS

Other / Unclassified

This document is a Special Notice announcing the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) intent to award a sole source contract for the replacement of Midmark 626 Barrier-Free Exam Chairs for the Wilmington VA Medical Center. The contract is intended to be awarded to Midmark Corporation, located at 60 Vista Drive, Versailles, OH 45380, under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 (Only one responsible source and no other supply or services will satisfy agency requirement).

This notice informs potential vendors that the VA intends to sole source this requirement. It specifies the product (Midmark 626 Barrier-Free Exam Chairs), the intended contractor (Midmark Corporation), and the justification (FAR 6.302-1). The NAICS code for this procurement is 339113 (Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing) with a size standard of 800 employees. Simplified Acquisition Procedures will be used, and the contract is anticipated to be firm fixed price with no option years. This is not a solicitation or a request for offers, and the government's determination not to compete is at its discretion.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Single Source Justification for a Micro-Purchase Threshold (MPT) up to the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) for the procurement of Midmark 626 Barrier-Free Exam Chairs.

• Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Network Contracting Office (NCO) 4, VISN 4.
• Description of Action: Procurement of thirty-seven (37) Midmark 626 Barrier-Free Exam Chairs for the Wilmington VA Medical Center (WVAMC) Primary Care Department.
• Contractor: Midmark Corporation.
• Reason for Single Source: The WVAMC currently uses 168 Midmark exam chairs and needs to maintain consistency in equipment for patient care, staff efficiency, and training. The Midmark 626 chairs meet updated ADA/MDE accessibility standards, including specific low transfer height requirements, which alternative products do not fully meet. Procuring a different brand would require retraining staff and could lead to delays in patient care.
• Items Needed: 37 Midmark 626 Barrier-Free Exam Chairs with specific included features (Retractable Wheel System, Tamper-Resistant Receptacles, Heated Upholstery, Drawer Heater, Stainless Steel Treatment Pan, Stirrups, Pelvic Tilt, Wired Hand and Foot Controls, Patient Support Rails, Accessory Receiver).
• Equipment Specifications: Includes details on maximum patient weight (650 lbs), paper roller size, power cord length, range of motion, chair dimensions, adjustable seat height, upholstery material and color, power recline, and power lift.
• Market Research: Conducted and reviewed comparable products, finding none met the full requirements for patient safety, staff efficiency, continuity of care, weight capacity, low transfer height, patient support features, and footprint consistency. Purchasing through an authorized distributor was found to be less cost-effective than ordering directly from Midmark via a GSA Contract.

This document explains why the government is seeking to procure these specific exam chairs from a single source. Bidders offering similar equipment may find information on the specific requirements and the government's rationale for selecting a particular brand, which could inform future bidding strategies or identify potential compliance gaps with existing solicitations.