EPIQ B-Cart Acquisition Module manufactured by Philips North America LLC.

Did urgency contribute to the nonavailability?

Uncertain

Market research was conducted in accordance with FAR Part 10. However, because this is an emergent requirement with an immediate need for ordering, only limited market research could be completed. Research was conducted in accordance with VAAR 810 and followed the order of priority established in VAAR 819.7004. A search of the Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) using NAICS code 334517 identified 127 SDVOSB/VOSB vendors. The National Acquisition Center (NAC) MedSurg Catalog, GSA Advantage, and open-source searches (Google) were also reviewed; however, the required item was not found. The Philips North America sales representative was contacted to verify whether the item was available under their High-Tech Medical Equipment (HTME) contract, but it was not. The proposed price was determined fair and reasonable by comparing the quoted price to contract 36C24525P0229 for the same cart module. The EPIQ B-Cart Acquisition Module is a specialized hardware component designed for Philips EPIQ7 ultrasound system. In the context of cardiac surgery, it is used to capture and process high‑resolution, real‑time ultrasound images of the heart, valves, and blood flow during procedures such as cardiac catheterization, valve surgery, or congenital heart repair. There are no back-up ultrasounds for this unit. While this unit is down, Cardiology has had to borrow a unit from another cardiology department, but this borrowed unit is normally in constant use and not available. Without this component, approximately 35 patients requiring cardiac surgery will need to be rescheduled each week, which will severely affect patient care.