CentriMag® 2nd Generation Primary Console Blood Pump

Waiver Rationale Summary

The George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center purchased a Thoratec® Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) on 4/28/2017. This device has a life expectancy of ten (10) years and its projected End-Of-Life is 4/28/2027. The ECMO is a life support machine that takes blood out of the body, fills it with oxygen, and pumps it back into the body. It temporarily replaces the lungs. As of January 2017, Abbott Laboratories acquired Thoatec® and now owns the rights to this device. The CentriMag® System comprises a single-use centrifugal pump, a motor, and a primary drive console. It is designed to operate without mechanical bearings or seals, as the motor magnetically levitates the impeller, achieving rotation with no friction or wear. TheCentriMag® 2nd Generation Primary Console Blood Pump is specifically designed to operate with the VA owned Thoratec® ECMO unit and no other manufactures products will integrate. Based on market research and the results of the solicitation, on domestic end products are available that meet the minimum needs of the VA. The required end products are manufactured in Switzerland. A competitive, brand name only, small business set-aside solicitation (36C25924Q0383) was posted to SAM.gov from 4/23/2024 – 5/1/2024. A brand name justification IAW FAR 13.106-1 was approved for this procurement. Numerous quotes were received in response to the brand name only solicitation from authorized small business distributors.