36C24726Q0712.docx

This is a Justification and Approval Notice for a sole source contract award for Core Lab Integration Chemistry services at the Atlanta VA Medical Center. The Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, VISN 7 Network Contracting Office (located in Duluth, Georgia, zip code 30096) awarded contract 36F797-19-D0024 under solicitation number 36C24726Q0712 on August 21, 2026, with a total award amount of $13,916,264.70. The contracting office justified the sole source selection under FAR 6.302-1 (only one responsible source exception to competitive bidding), citing the requirement for a specialized integrated core laboratory solution.

The requirement encompasses an end-to-end core laboratory system utilizing a cost-per-reportable-result (CPRR) commercial model, where the VA is invoiced solely based on the number of reported patient test results rather than capital equipment purchases. The integrated solution must deliver high-throughput chemistry and immunoassay testing with vendor-neutral track automation, unified middleware and analytics capabilities, preanalytic processing (centrifugation, decapping, aliquoting, routing), analytic testing, postanalytic archiving, and Index-based tracking from specimen collection through result release. The system must fit within the physical constraints of two designated laboratory rooms (765 square feet in Phase 2) and include installation, interface configuration with VistA and DIIM systems, validation, staff training, and relocation services. The selected contractor uniquely provides an FDA-cleared traumatic brain injury blood test panel on the Alinity i analyzer platform. The point of contact is Contract Specialist Kelleen Minor at kelleen.minor@va.gov, and the NAICS code is 334516 (analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing).