VA only uses one product?

[alibaba]

https://www.governmentcontracts.us/gove ... 943981.htm

[Lost Sheep]

That does appear to be a request for sole source authorization. This may be merely a request for authorization. I see several problems with it. One, that it specifies a 65 ml reservoir and another is that it has a 2017 deadline. If I were REALLY curious about it I might contact the specailist whos contact information is at the bottom (and also check his/her bank accounts for unexplained deposits.

Also, it is not VA, but Department of the Navy and not the entire organization, but only the San Diego region.

It is EXTREMELY distressing that such limitations might be put on even a portion of our active duty servicemen ,

I hope this "Sole Source Authorization" request was denied.

[mikestap]

This appears to limit the purchase of AMS devices to Boston Scientific’s already exclusive distributor.

“due to only one source being available to meet the Government's needs, to Buffalo Supply Inc.;
1650 Coal Creek Drive Ste. A, Lafayette, CO 80026-8867.”

It’s hard to read government documents, and even harder to comprehend the rationale or need for some of them, but as I read this, it’s a proposal that says IF we want an AMS, we need to buy it from the exclusive distributor, Buffalo Supply Co. I would guess it’s purpose is to streamline the procurement process and not put out for competitive bid RFQs for product that can be purchased from only one supplier in the first place.

It does not preclude the use of Coloplast.

[alibaba]

I used to read a lot of bid documents here years ago. 2 in particular I disliked were for tractors and trucks. To make sure the bid went to a particular couple of dealers, the serial number of the tractors and the VIN number of the trucks were listed on the bid documents. When I inquired about the suitability of such bids, I was told it was legal if the other bidders could not provide those same VIN number vehicles. The interesting part was the person in charge of the bidding was rumored to be going broke at the time. A few months later he had all new equipment from the same dealer who was awarded the equipment bid (only bidder).

[Lost Sheep]

This appears to limit the purchase of AMS devices to Boston Scientific’s already exclusive distributor.

“due to only one source being available to meet the Government's needs, to Buffalo Supply Inc.;
1650 Coal Creek Drive Ste. A, Lafayette, CO 80026-8867.”

It’s hard to read government documents, and even harder to comprehend the rationale or need for some of them, but as I read this, it’s a proposal that says IF we want an AMS, we need to buy it from the exclusive distributor, Buffalo Supply Co. I would guess it’s purpose is to streamline the procurement process and not put out for competitive bid RFQs for product that can be purchased from only one supplier in the first place.

It does not preclude the use of Coloplast.

Sole source also allows the purchase to occur quicker, I think. Competitive bidding takes some time