Justification and Approval Limiting Sourcses - ProAim Americas
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), VISN 23, VA Central Iowa Health Care System (VACIHCS), has issued a Sole Source Justification (J&A) for Ophthalmology and Optometry instrument upgrade services. This notice details the intent to award a contract to PROAIM Americas for proprietary software and hardware upgrades to existing Carl Zeiss equipment. The estimated value is $422,895.00. Interested parties may submit a statement of capability by April 30, 2026.
Scope of Work
This requirement is for upgrade services for Ophthalmology and Optometry instruments VISN wide. The services involve supporting eye imaging modalities with an interface to Carl Zeiss FORUM PACS middleware and the Federal Electronic Health Record (EHR). The upgrades are necessary to update software and hardware due to the OEM (Microsoft) end-of-life for the current software, ensuring network security, compatibility with FORUM PACS and EHR networks, and extending the life of installed instruments.
Contract Details
- Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 23, VA Central Iowa Health Care System (VACIHCS), Des Moines, IA.
- Acquisition ID: 36C263-26-AP-2198
- Estimated Value: $422,895.00
- Statutory Authority: FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items (41 U.S.C. § 1901), implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(2) for restricting competition.
- Reason for Restriction: Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.
Sole Source Justification
The justification states that only Zeiss upgrades are compatible with existing Zeiss equipment, software, and servers due to proprietary software and maintenance requirements. PROAIM Americas is the sole entity authorized by Zeiss to represent them for service and maintenance, including "OPTIME" Service Contracts and ON-SITE Repair for Zeiss Products. Zeiss will not accept Purchase Orders from other entities for these services. Limited market research was conducted, and while 981 potential small businesses were identified under NAICS 339112, PROAIM is the only authorized provider, thus the VA Rule of Two and SBA Rule of Two were not met. The anticipated cost is deemed fair and reasonable based on comparison to a previous contract (36C24723P0944) for similar services.
Future Considerations
The agency plans to conduct market research for future equipment maintenance and upgrades to assess if market conditions change to allow for competition. If Zeiss authorizes other vendors, VISN 23 will compete future requirements among those authorized vendors. Replacing the entire system with another manufacturer's equipment would incur duplicate costs and still result in a sole source situation for service and maintenance.
Key Dates & Contact
- Notice Published: April 22, 2026
- Notice Closing Date: April 30, 2026 (for interested parties to submit capabilities)
- Contact: Joey Bloomer, Contracting Officer, joseph.bloomer@va.gov, 515-699-5880.