36C25626Q0367.docx

DOCX document 161 KB Posted Feb 20, 2026

Attached to: Q301--REFERENCE LAB TESTING
Solicitation number: 36C25626Q0367
Issued by: Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration Veterans Integrated Service Network 16

About this file

Written by GovTribe AI · Feb 20, 2026

This is a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation and Request for Quote (RFQ) issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 16 for reference laboratory specialized testing services. The solicitation seeks a Firm-Fixed Price Open-Market Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) with the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System's Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service in Little Rock, Arkansas. The contract period runs from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2031, consisting of a one-year base period and four optional one-year extension periods. Quotes are due by March 6, 2026, at 1:00 PM Central Time, submitted electronically to Contracting Officer Arlene A. Blade at arlene.blade@va.gov. All questions must be submitted by February 27, 2026, by 10:00 AM Central Time.

The solicitation encompasses 128 clinical laboratory tests covering specialized diagnostics including neuronal antibody panels, infectious disease detection, molecular testing, and various immunological assays. Offerors must submit pricing using the provided cost-per-test schedule for each test item across all contract periods. Evaluation will be based on three factors: (1) Technical Data demonstrating CLIA certification and capability to perform all listed tests (pass/fail); (2) Past Performance using three relevant references from the past three years and completion of the attached Past Performance Questionnaire; and (3) Price reasonableness. The solicitation is full and open competition with no identified set-asides. Award will be made to the responsible offeror whose offer provides the best value to the Government. All contractors must comply with extensive security requirements, HIPAA regulations, records management obligations, and VA-specific data handling protocols, including liquidated damages provisions of $37.50 per affected individual for data breaches involving sensitive personal information.

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File	Type	Posted
SF30 - AMENDMENT TO RFQ.pdf	PDF	Mar 6, 2026
Copy of SCHEDULE.xlsx	XLSX spreadsheet	Feb 20, 2026
ATTACHMENT A - PP Questionnaire Referral Lab.docx	DOCX document	Feb 20, 2026

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36C25626Q0367

SUBJECT*

Reference Lab Specialized Testing

GENERAL INFORMATION

CONTRACTING OFFICE’S ZIP CODE*

71306-9004

SOLICITATION NUMBER*

36C25626Q0367

RESPONSE DATE/TIME/ZONE

03-06-2026 1:00 pm CENTRAL TIME, CHICAGO, USA

ARCHIVE

60 DAYS AFTER THE RESPONSE DATE

RECOVERY ACT FUNDS

SET-ASIDE

PRODUCT SERVICE CODE*

6630

NAICS CODE*

621511

CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

NETWORK CONTRACTING OFFICE 16

ALEXANDRIA VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

PO BOX 69004

ALEXANDRIA LA 71306-9004

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contracting Officer

ARLENE A. BLADE

arlene.blade@va.gov

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

ADDRESS

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

CENTRAL ARKANSAS VETERANS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

PATHOLOGY AND LABORATORY MEDICINE SERVICE

4300 WEST 7TH STREET

LITTLE ROCK AR

POSTAL CODE

72205

COUNTRY

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

A.1 COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION

Description This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products and commercial services prepared in accordance with the format Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 12.202, “Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Products and Commercial Services,” as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested, and a written solicitation document will not be issued.

This solicitation is issued as an RFQ. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 2025-06, published on /august 27, 2025.

This solicitation is for Full and Open competition.

The associated North American Industry Classification System number is 621511 with a size standard of $41.5M.

The FSC/PSC is 6630 The Network Contracting Office (NCO 16 at 2495 Shreveport Highway 71N, Pineville, LA 71360 in support of the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System in Little Rock AR is seeking to purchase Reference Laboratory Specialized Testing services.

All interested companies shall provide quotations for the services listed in the Price/Cost Schedule.

This requirement is for a Firm-Fixed Priced Open-Market Blanket Purchase Agreement.

The contract period of performance is from 4/1/2026 to 3/31/2031.

Place of Performance:

Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System Little Rock 4300 West 7th Street Little Rock, AR 72205 All questions regarding this solicitation shall be submitted via email to Contracting Officer, Arlene A. Blade at arlene.blade@va.gov no later than 10:00 A.M. Central Time on February 27, 2026.

Quotes are due no later than March 6, 2026 at 1:00 P.M. Central Time and shall be submitted electronically via e-mail to the Contracting Officer, Arlene A. Blade at arlene.blade@va.gov . Contractor shall include Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Number 36C25626Q0367 in the Subject Line.

All interested parties shall read the whole requirement, with special attention to the Statement of Work (SOW) and evaluation factors.

COMBINE SYNOPSIS/SOLICTATION APPLICABLE Provisions and Clauses The provision at 52.212-1 Introduction to Offerors – Commercial, applies to this acquisition.

The provision at 52.212-2 EVALUATION – COMMERCIAL ITEMS (NOV 2021) applies to this acquisition.

The clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and a statement. The addendum to FAR 52.212-4 also applies to this acquisition.

Addendum to FAR 52.212-4 Show FAR clauses followed by VAAR clauses in numeric order.

Solicitation contains a list of all clauses incorporated by reference in numeric order under 52.252-2 (see below), starting first with FAR and followed by VAAR.

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

B.1.1. Contract Administration: All contract administration matters will be handled by the following individuals:

B.1.1.1. CONTRACTOR: POC Name: _________________________________________

Title: ______________________________________________
	Company: _________________________________________
	Address: ___________________________________________
	Telephone: _______________________________________
	E-mail address: _____________________________________

B.1.1.2. GOVERNMENT: ARLENE A. BLADE, Contracting Officer (CO) Department of Veterans Affairs NCO 16 Contracting 2495 Shreveport Highway, 71 Pineville, LA 71360 E-mail: arlene.blade@va.gov

B.1.2. CONTRACTOR REMITTANCE ADDRESS: All payments by the Government to the contractor will be made in accordance with:

[X] 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - System for Award Management (SAM), or
[N/A]	52.232-36, Payment by Third Party

B.1.3. GOVERNMENT INVOICE ADDRESS: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

a. Quarterly []

b. Semi-Annually []

c. Other [X] MONTHLY IN ARREARS

B.1.4. GOVERNMENT INVOICE ADDRESS: All invoices from the contractor shall be submitted electronically to the VA Financial Services Center for payment processing, free of charge. For any questions about the e-invoicing program, please contact the FSC at the phone number or email address listed below:

1. TUNGSTEN e-Invoice Setup Information: (877) 752-0900

1. TUNGSTEN e-Invoice email: USClientServices@ob10.com

1. FSC e-Invoice Contact Information: (877) 353-9791

1. FSC e-invoice email: vafsccshd@va.gov

B.1.5. Unique Entity Identification (UEI): _________________________

B.1.6. TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: ___________________________

B.1.7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 04/01/2026-03/31/2031

Base Year: 04/01/2026-03/31/2027 Ordering Period 1: 04/01/2027-03/31/2028 Ordering Period 2: 04/01/2028-03/31/2029 Ordering Period 3: 04/01/2029-03/31/2030 Ordering Period 4: 04/01/2030-03/31/2031

B.2 STATEMENT OF WORK

Statement of Work (SOW) Reference Laboratory Testing

1. Introduction

1.1. This Statement of Work (SOW) outlines the requirements, deliverables, and scope of work to provide reference laboratory testing services for Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System. The objective is to ensure access to high-quality, specialized testing services to support our diagnostics and patient care needs.

2. Project Objectives

2.1. To obtain accurate and timely laboratory results for specialized tests.

2.2. To ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.

2.3. To enhance diagnostic capabilities and patient care quality.

2.4. To maintain efficient, error-free laboratory operations.

3. Scope of Work

3.1. The intent of this contract is to obtain specialized testing services that are not available under the current reference laboratory contract through direct testing at their facility. The existing reference laboratory provides "pass-through" testing; however, due to concerns about specimen integrity and the need for timely results, the pass-through option is not acceptable.

3.1.1. Pass-Through Testing: pass-through testing refers to a process where a reference laboratory receives specimens and forwards them to another laboratory or facility for analysis, rather than conducting the tests in-house. This intermediary role can lead to extended turnaround times and potential concerns about specimen integrity due to additional handling and transportation. For these reasons, direct testing at the laboratory's own facilities is often preferred to ensure timely and accurate results.

3.1.2. Additionally, the contract should allow the option to send samples to this reference laboratory in cases where specimen volume is insufficient to send to multiple laboratories.

3.2. Contractors shall provide reference laboratory testing services in accordance with the specifications outlined below for a limited range of referral laboratory services, to include patient testing, for the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHS), Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (PLMS) in Little Rock, Arkansas.

3.3. Location:

Department of Veterans Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (2D159) Little Rock, Arkansas 4300 West 7th Street, Little Rock, Ar. 72205

3.4. Services shall include the performance of analytical testing as defined by the Contractor's reference test manual, and the reporting of analytical test results and consultative services as required to assimilate the scope of its laboratory operations to CAVHS.

4. Testing Services

4.1. The reference laboratory will provide testing services for the following tests:

Adenovirus DNA Detection and Quantification, Plasma

Antiglial/Neuronal Nuclear Antibody-Type 1, Immunoblot, Spinal Fluid

Antiglial/Neuronal Nuclear Antibody-Type,1 Immunoblot, Serum

Anti-Glial/Neuronal Nuclear Antibody-Type 1 (AGNA-1) Titer, Spinal Fluid

Anti-Glial/Neuronal Nuclear Antibody-Type 1 (AGNA-1) Titer, Serum

Alpha Internexin, Cell Binding Assay, Spinal Fluid

Alpha Internexin, Cell Binding Assay, Serum

Amphiphysin Antibody, Immunoblot, Spinal Fluid

Amphiphysin Antibody, Immunoblot, Serum

Amylase, Pancreatic Cyst Fluid

AMPA-Receptor Antibody Titer Assay by Immunofluorescence, Spinal Fluid

AMPA-Receptor Antibody Titer Assay, Immunofluorescence, Serum

Antineuronal Nuclear Antibody-Type 1, Immunoblot, Spinal Fluid

Antineuronal Nuclear Antibody-Type 1, Immunoblot, Serum

Antineuronal Nuclear Antibody-Type 1 (ANNA-1) Titer, Spinal Fluid

Antineuronal Nuclear Antibody-Type 1 (ANNA-1) Titer, Serum

Antineuronal Nuclear Antibody-Type 2, Immunoblot, Spinal Fluid

Antineuronal Nuclear Antibody-Type 2, Immunoblot, Serum

Antineuronal Nuclear Antibody Type 2 (ANNA-2) Titer, Spinal Fluid

Antineuronal Nuclear Antibody Type 2 (ANNA-2) Titer, Serum

Antineuronal Nuclear Antibody Type 3 (ANNA-3) Titer, Spinal Fluid

Antineuronal Nuclear Antibody Type 3 (ANNA-3) Titer, Serum

Amphiphysin Antibody Titer Assay, Spinal Fluid

Amphiphysin Antibody Titer Assay, Serum

Aspergillus Antigen, Bronchoalveolar Lavage

Bilirubin, Body Fluid

Biliary Tract Malignancy, FISH, Specimen A, Varies

Biliary Tract Malignancy, FISH, Specimen B, Varies

Biliary Tract Malignancy, FISH, Specimen C, Varies

Biliary Tract Malignancy, FISH, Specimen D, Varies

Biliary Tract Malignancy, FISH, Specimen E, Varies

Biliary Tract Malignancy, FISH, Specimen F, Varies

Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA), Pancreatic Cyst Fluid

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy/Nodopathy Evaluation, Serum

Coccidioides immitis/posadasii, Molecular Detection, PCR, Varies

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Molecular Detection, PCR, Varies

Collapsin Response-Mediator Protein-5 (CRMP-5) Neuronal IgG Titer, Spinal Fluid

Collapsin Response-Mediator Protein-5 (CRMP-5) Neuronal IgG Titer, Serum

Collapsin Response-Mediator Protein-5-IgG, Western Blot, Spinal Fluid

Collapsin Response-Mediator Protein-5-IgG, Western Blot, Serum

Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas) Antibody Panel, Serum

Contactin-Associated Protein-Like-2 (CASPR2)-IgG, Serum

Meningitis/Encephalitis Pathogen Panel, PCR, Spinal Fluid

Cytokine Panel, Plasma

Dihydrorhodamine Flow Cytometric Test, Blood

D-Lactate, Plasma

Dipeptidyl-Peptidase-Like Protein-6 Antibody, Immunofluorescence Titer Assay, Spinal Fluid

Dipeptidyl-Peptidase-Like Protein-6 Antibody, Immunofluorescence Titer Assay, Serum

Red Blood Cell (RBC) Enzyme Evaluation, Blood

Entamoeba histolytica Antibody, Serum

Encephalopathy, Autoimmune/Paraneoplastic Evaluation, Spinal Fluid

Encephalopathy, Autoimmune/Paraneoplastic Evaluation, Serum

Biliary Tract Malignancy-Cytology, FISH, Varies

GABA-B-Receptor Antibody Titer Assay by Immunofluorescence, Spinal Fluid

GABA-B-Receptor Antibody Titer Assay, Immunofluorescence, Serum

Ganglioside Antibodies Evaluation, Serum

Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Alpha Subunit Antibody, Cell Binding Assay, Spinal Fluid

Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Alpha Subunit Antibody, Cell Binding Assay, Serum

Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Alpha Subunit Antibody, Immunofluorescence Titer Assay, Spinal Fluid

Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Alpha Subunit Antibody, Immunofluorescence Titer Assay, Serum

Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 1 (mGluR1) Antibody, Cell Binding Assay, Spinal Fluid

Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 1 (mGluR1) Antibody, Cell Binding Assay, Serum

Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 1 (mGluR1) Antibody by Immunofluorescence Titer Assay, Spinal Fluid

Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 1 (mGluR1) Antibody by Immunofluorescence Titer Assay, Serum

Glucose, Body Fluid

Glycine Receptor Alpha1 IgG, Cell Binding Assay, Serum

Granulocyte Monocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor, Plasma

Ganglioside GQ1b Antibody, IgG, ELISA, Serum

Histoplasma capsulatum/Blastomyces species, Molecular Detection, PCR, Varies

IgLON Family Member 5 Antibody, Immunofluorescence Titer Assay, Spinal Fluid

IgLON Family Member 5 Antibody, Immunofluorescence Titer Assay, Serum

IgG Disialo GD1b Titer, Serum

IgG Monosialo GM1 Titer, Serum

IHC Initial, Tech Only (Bill Only)

IgM Disialo GD1b Titer, Serum

IgM Monosialo GM1 Titer, Serum

Aerobe Identification by Sequencing (Bill Only)

Legionella Culture, Varies

Leucine-Rich Glioma Inactivated Protein-1 (LGI1) IgG, Serum

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex, Molecular Detection, PCR, Varies

Neurochondrin Antibody, Cell-Binding Assay, Spinal Fluid

Neurochondrin Antibody, Cell-Binding Assay, Serum

Neurochondrin Antibody, Tissue Immunofluorescence Titer, Spinal Fluid

Neurochondrin Antibody, Tissue Immunofluorescence Titer, Serum

Neuronal Intermediate Filament Heavy Chain, Cell Binding Assay, Spinal Fluid

Neuronal Intermediate Filament Heavy Chain, Cell Binding Assay, Serum

Neuronal Intermediate Filament Light Chain, Cell Binding Assay, Spinal Fluid

Neuronal Intermediate Filament Light Chain, Cell Binding Assay, Serum

Neuronal Intermediate Filament IgG, Immunofluorescence Titer Assay, Spinal Fluid

Neuronal Intermediate Filament IgG, Immunofluorescence Titer Assay, Serum

NMDA-Receptor Antibody Titer Assay by Immunofluorescence, Spinal Fluid

NMDA-Receptor Antibody Titer Assay by Immunofluorescence, Serum

Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO)/Aquaporin-4-IgG Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) Assay, Spinal

Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO)/Aquaporin-4 FACS IgG Assay Titer, Spinal Fluid

Necrotizing Myopathy Evaluation, Serum

Paraneoplastic, Autoantibody Evaluation, Spinal Fluid

Paraneoplastic, Autoantibody Evaluation, Serum

Purkinje Cell Cytoplasmic Antibody-Type 1, Immunoblot, Spinal Fluid

Purkinje Cell Cytoplasmic Antibody-Type 1, Immunoblot, Serum

Purkinje Cell Cytoplasmic Antibody Type 1 (PCA-1) Titer, Spinal Fluid

Purkinje Cell Cytoplasmic Antibody Type 1 (PCA-1) Titer, Serum

Purkinje Cell Cytoplasmic Antibody Type 2 (PCA-2) Titer, Spinal Fluid

Purkinje Cell Cytoplasmic Antibody Type 2 (PCA-2) Titer, Serum

Purkinje Cell Cytoplasmic Antibody-Type Tr, Immunoblot, Spinal Fluid

Purkinje Cell Cytoplasmic Antibody-Type Tr, Immunoblot, Serum

Purkinje Cell Cytoplasmic Antibody, Type Tr (PCA-Tr) Titer, Spinal Fluid

Purkinje Cell Cytoplasmic Antibody Type Tr (PCA-Tr) Titer, Serum

Phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) IgG, Tissue Immunofluorescence Titer, Spinal Fluid

Phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) IgG, Tissue Immunofluorescence Titer, Serum

Pneumocystis jiroveci, Molecular Detection, PCR, Varies

Psychosine, Whole Blood

Ident by MALDI-TOF Mass Spec (Bill Only)

Septin-7 Antibody, Cell-Binding Assay, Spinal Fluid

Septin-7 Antibody, Cell-Binding Assay, Serum

Septin-7 Antibody, Tissue Immunofluorescence Titer, Spinal Fluid

Septin-7 Antibody, Tissue Immunofluorescence Titer, Serum

Signal Recognition Particle Antibody Immunoblot, Serum

Signal Recognition Particle Antibody Titer, Immunofluorescence Assay, Serum

Tripartite Motif-Containing Protein 46 (TRIM46) IgG, Cell Binding Assay, Spinal Fluid

Tripartite Motif-Containing Protein 46 (TRIM46) IgG, Cell Binding Assay, Serum

Tripartite Motif-Containing Protein 46 (TRIM46) IgG, Tissue Immunofluorescence Titer, Spinal Fluid

Tripartite Motif-Containing Protein 46 (TRIM46) IgG, Tissue Immunofluorescence Titer, Serum

Concentration, Mycobacteria (Bill Only)

T-Cell Receptor Gene Rearrangement, PCR, Varies

Tissue Processing (Bill Only)

Protein, Total, Body Fluid

Amyloidosis, Transthyretin-Associated Familial, Reflex, Blood

TTR Gene, Full Gene Analysis, Varies

Tropheryma whipplei, Molecular Detection, PCR, Varies

5. Reporting and Turnaround Time

5.1. The reference laboratory shall provide timely reporting of test results.

5.2. The standard turnaround time for each test shall be outlined.

6. Quality Control

6.1. The reference laboratory shall ensure stringent quality control measures and maintain compliance with all relevant regulatory and accreditation standards.

7. Data Management

7.1. All test results and associated patient data shall be securely transmitted and managed in compliance with HIPAA and other relevant regulations.

8. Customer Support

8.1. Ongoing technical and customer support will be provided by the reference laboratory to address any inquiries, issues, or concerns.

9. Deliverables

9.1. Comprehensive test results for the specified tests.

9.2. Detailed test reports within the agreed turnaround times.

9.3. Ongoing support and communication channels for consultation and issue resolution.

10. Roles and Responsibilities

10.1. Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System

10.1.1. Provide patient samples and necessary information for testing.

10.1.2. Ensure timely payment of services per the contract terms.

10.2. The reference laboratory

10.2.1. Conduct the specified tests accurately and within the agreed turnaround times.

10.2.2. Provide secure and compliant data management and reporting.

10.2.3. Offer technical support and quality control measures.

11. Acceptance Criteria

11.1. Successful reception and accuracy of test results within the specified turnaround times.

11.2. Satisfactory quality of reports and customer support services provided by the reference laboratory.

12. Payment and Compensation

12.1. Payment terms will be as stated in the service agreement/contract.

13. Terms and Conditions

13.1. Standard terms and conditions as defined in the service contract agreement.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND NONDISCLOSURE

It is agreed that:

1.	The preliminary and final deliverables, and all associated working papers, application source code, and other material deemed relevant by VA which have been generated by the contractor in the performance of this task order, are the exclusive property of the U.S. Government and shall be submitted to the CO at the conclusion of the task order.
2.	The CO will be the sole authorized official to release, verbally or in writing, any data, draft deliverables, final deliverables, or any other written or printed materials pertaining to this task order. No information shall be released by the contractor. Any request for information relating to this task order, presented to the contractor, shall be submitted to the CO for response.
3.	Press releases, marketing material, or any other printed or electronic documentation related to this project, shall not be publicized without the written approval of the CO.

CONTRACTOR SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

1. GENERAL

Contractors, contractor personnel, subcontractors, and subcontractor personnel shall be subject to the same Federal laws, regulations, standards, and VA Directives and Handbooks as VA and VA personnel regarding information and information system security.

2.	ACCESS TO VA INFORMATION AND VA INFORMATION SYSTEMS
a.	A contractor/subcontractor shall request logical (technical) or physical access to VA information and VA information systems for their employees, subcontractors, and affiliates only to the extent necessary to perform the services specified in the contract, agreement, or task order.
b.	All contractors, subcontractors, and third-party servicers and associates working with VA information are subject to the same investigative requirements as those of VA appointees or employees who have access to the same types of information. The level and process of background security investigations for contractors must be in accordance with VA Directive and Handbook 0710, Personnel Suitability and Security Program. The Office for Operations, Security, and Preparedness is responsible for these policies and procedures.
c.	Contract personnel who require access to national security programs must have a valid security clearance. National Industrial Security Program (NISP) was established by Executive Order 12829 to ensure that cleared U.S. defense industry contract personnel safeguard the classified information in their possession while performing work on contracts, programs, bids, or research and development efforts. The Department of Veterans Affairs does not have a Memorandum of Agreement with Defense Security Service (DSS). Verification of a Security Clearance must be processed through the Special Security Officer located in the Planning and National Security Service within the Office of Operations, Security, and Preparedness.
d.	Custom software development and outsourced operations must be located in the U.S. to the maximum extent practical. If such services are proposed to be performed abroad and are not disallowed by other VA policy or mandates, the contractor/subcontractor must state where all non-U.S. services are provided and detail a security plan, deemed to be acceptable by VA, specifically to address mitigation of the resulting problems of communication, control, data protection, and so forth. Location within the U.S. may be an evaluation factor.
e.	The contractor or subcontractor must notify the Contracting Officer immediately when an employee working on a VA system or with access to VA information is reassigned or leaves the contractor or subcontractor’s employ. The Contracting Officer must also be notified immediately by the contractor or subcontractor prior to an unfriendly termination.

VA INFORMATION CUSTODIAL LANGUAGE

Information made available to the contractor or subcontractor by VA for the performance or administration of this contract or information developed by the contractor/subcontractor in performance or administration of the contract shall be used only for those purposes and shall not be used in any other way without the prior written agreement of the VA. This clause expressly limits the contractor/subcontractor's rights to use data as described in Rights in Data

- General, FAR 52.227-14(d) (1).

b.	VA information should not be co-mingled, if possible, with any other data on the contractors/subcontractor’s information systems or media storage systems in order to ensure VA requirements related to data protection and media sanitization can be met. If co-mingling must be allowed to meet the requirements of the business need, the contractor must ensure that VA’s information is returned to the VA or destroyed in accordance with VA’s sanitization requirements. VA reserves the right to conduct onsite inspections of contractor and subcontractor IT resources to ensure data security controls, separation of data and job duties, and destruction/media sanitization procedures are in compliance with VA directive requirements.
c.	Prior to termination or completion of this contract, contractor/subcontractor must not destroy information received from VA, or gathered/created by the contractor in the course of performing this contract without prior written approval by the VA. Any data destruction done on behalf of VA by a contractor/subcontractor must be done in accordance with National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) requirements as outlined in VA Directive 6300, Records and Information Management and its Handbook 6300.1 Records Management Procedures, applicable VA Records Control Schedules, and VA Handbook 6500.1, Electronic Media Sanitization. Self-certification by the contractor that the data destruction requirements above have been met must be sent to the VA Contracting Officer within 30 days of termination of the contract.
d.	The contractor/subcontractor must receive, gather, store, back up, maintain, use, disclose and dispose of VA information only in compliance with the terms of the contract and applicable Federal and VA information confidentiality and security laws, regulations and policies. If Federal or VA information confidentiality and security laws, regulations and policies become applicable to the VA information or information systems after execution of the contract, or if NIST issues or updates applicable FIPS or Special Publications (SP) after execution of this contract, the parties agree to negotiate in good faith to implement the information confidentiality and security laws, regulations and policies in this contract.
e.	The contractor/subcontractor shall not make copies of VA information except as authorized and necessary to perform the terms of the agreement or to preserve electronic information stored on contractor/subcontractor electronic storage media for restoration in case any electronic equipment or data used by the contractor/subcontractor needs to be restored to an operating state. If copies are made for restoration purposes, after the restoration is complete, the copies must be appropriately destroyed.
f.	If VA determines that the contractor has violated any of the information confidentiality, privacy, and security provisions of the contract, it shall be sufficient grounds for VA to withhold

payment to the contractor or third party or terminate the contract for default or terminate for cause under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) part 12.

g.	If a VHA contract is terminated for cause, the associated BAA must also be terminated and appropriate actions taken in accordance with VHA Handbook 1600.01, Business Associate Agreements. Absent an agreement to use or disclose protected health information, there is no business associate relationship.
h.	The contractor/subcontractor must store, transport, or transmit VA sensitive information in an encrypted form, using VA-approved encryption tools that are, at a minimum, FIPS 140-2 validated.
i.	The contractor/subcontractor’s firewall and Web services security controls, if applicable, shall meet or exceed VA’s minimum requirements. VA Configuration Guidelines are available upon request.
j.	Except for uses and disclosures of VA information authorized by this contract for performance of the contract, the contractor/subcontractor may use and disclose VA information only in two other situations: (i) in response to a qualifying order of a court of competent jurisdiction, or (ii) with VA’s prior written approval. The contractor/subcontractor must refer all requests for demands for production of, or inquiries about, VA information and information systems to the VA contracting officer for response.
k.	Notwithstanding the provision above, the contractor/subcontractor shall not release VA records protected by Title 38 U.S.C. 5705, confidentiality of medical quality assurance records and/or Title 38 U.S.C. 7332, confidentiality of certain health records pertaining to drug addiction, sickle cell anemia, alcoholism or alcohol abuse, or infection with human immunodeficiency virus. If the contractor/subcontractor is in receipt of a court order or other requests for the above mentioned information, that contractor/subcontractor shall immediately refer such court orders or other requests to the VA contracting officer for response.
l.	For service that involves the storage, generating, transmitting, or exchanging of VA sensitive information but does not require C&A or an MOU-ISA for system interconnection, the contractor/subcontractor must complete a Contractor Security Control Assessment (CSCA) on a yearly basis and provide it to the COTR.

4.	SECURITY INCIDENT INVESTIGATION
a.	The term “security incident” means an event that has, or could have, resulted in unauthorized access to, loss or damage to VA assets, or sensitive information, or an action that breaches VA security procedures. The contractor/subcontractor shall immediately notify the COTR and simultaneously, the designated ISO and Privacy Officer for the contract of any known or suspected security/privacy incidents, or any unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, including that contained in system(s) to which the contractor/subcontractor has access.
b.	To the extent known by the contractor/subcontractor, the contractor/subcontractor’s notice to VA shall identify the information involved, the circumstances surrounding the incident (including to whom, how, when, and where the VA information or assets were placed at risk or compromised), and any other information that the contractor/subcontractor considers relevant.
c.	With respect to unsecured protected health information, the business associate is deemed to have discovered a data breach when the business associate knew or should have known of a breach of such information. Upon discovery, the business associate must notify the covered entity of the breach. Notifications need to be made in accordance with the executed business associate agreement.
d.	In instances of theft or break-in or other criminal activity, the contractor/subcontractor must concurrently report the incident to the appropriate law enforcement entity (or entities) of jurisdiction, including the VA OIG and Security and Law Enforcement. The contractor, its employees, and its subcontractors and their employees shall cooperate with VA and any law enforcement authority responsible for the investigation and prosecution of any possible criminal law violation(s) associated with any incident. The contractor/subcontractor shall cooperate with VA in any civil litigation to recover VA information, obtain monetary or other compensation from a third party for damages arising from any incident, or obtain injunctive relief against any third party arising from, or related to, the incident.

5.	LIQUIDATED DAMAGES FOR DATA BREACH
a.	Consistent with the requirements of 38 U.S.C. §5725, a contract may require access to sensitive personal information. If so, the contractor is liable to VA for liquidated damages in the event of a data breach or privacy incident involving any SPI the contractor/subcontractor processes or maintains under this contract.
b.	The contractor/subcontractor shall provide notice to VA of a “security incident” as set forth in the Security Incident Investigation section above. Upon such notification, VA must secure from a non-Department entity or the VA Office of Inspector General an independent risk analysis of the data breach to determine the level of risk associated with the data breach for the potential misuse of any sensitive personal information involved in the data breach. The term 'data breach' means the loss, theft, or other unauthorized access, or any access other than that incidental to the scope of employment, to data containing sensitive personal information, in electronic or printed form, that results in the potential compromise of the confidentiality or integrity of the data. Contractor shall fully cooperate with the entity performing the risk analysis. Failure to cooperate may be deemed a material breach and grounds for contract termination.
c.	Each risk analysis shall address all relevant information concerning the data breach, including the following:
(1)	Nature of the event (loss, theft, unauthorized access);
(2)	Description of the event, including:
a.	date of occurrence;
b.	data elements involved, including any PII, such as full name, social security number, date of birth, home address, account number, disability code;
(3)	Number of individuals affected or potentially affected;
(4)	Names of individuals or groups affected or potentially affected;
(5)	Ease of logical data access to the lost, stolen or improperly accessed data in light of the degree of protection for the data, e.g., unencrypted, plain text;
(6)	Amount of time the data has been out of VA control;
(7)	The likelihood that the sensitive personal information will or has been compromised (made accessible to and usable by unauthorized persons);
(8)	Known misuses of data containing sensitive personal information, if any;
(9)	Assessment of the potential harm to the affected individuals;
(10)	Data breach analysis as outlined in 6500.2 Handbook, Management of Security and Privacy Incidents, as appropriate; and
(11)	Whether credit protection services may assist record subjects in avoiding or mitigating the results of identity theft based on the sensitive personal information that may have been compromised.
d.	Based on the determinations of the independent risk analysis, the contractor shall be responsible for paying to the VA liquidated damages in the amount of $37.50 per affected individual to cover the cost of providing credit protection services to affected individuals consisting of the following:

(1)	Notification;
(2)	One year of credit monitoring services consisting of automatic daily monitoring of at least 3 relevant credit bureau reports;
(3)	Data breach analysis;
(4)	Fraud resolution services, including writing dispute letters, initiating fraud alerts and credit freezes, to assist affected individuals to bring matters to resolution;
(5)	One year of identity theft insurance with $20,000.00 coverage at $0 deductible; and
(6)	Necessary legal expenses the subjects may incur to repair falsified or damaged credit records, histories, or financial affairs.
6.	TRAINING
a.	All contractor employees and subcontractor employees requiring access to VA information and VA information systems shall complete the following before being granted access to VA information and its systems:
(1)	Sign and acknowledge (either manually or electronically) understanding of and responsibilities for compliance with the Contractor Rules of Behavior, Appendix E relating to access to VA information and information systems;
(2)	Successfully complete the VA Cyber Security Awareness and Rules of Behavior

training and annually complete required security training;

(3)

Successfully complete the appropriate VA privacy training and annually complete required privacy training; and

(4)

Successfully complete any additional cyber security or privacy training, as required for VA personnel with equivalent information system access [to be defined by the VA program official and provided to the contracting officer for inclusion in the solicitation document – e.g., any role-based information security training required in accordance with NIST Special Publication 800-16, Information Technology Security Training Requirements.]

The contractor shall provide the contracting officer and/or the COTR a copy.

G. RECORDS MANAGEMENT OBLIGATIONS

1. Applicability This clause applies to all Contractors whose employees create, work with, or otherwise handle Federal records, as defined in Section B, regardless of the medium in which the record exists.

2. Definitions “Federal record” as defined in 44 U.S.C. § 3301, includes all recorded information, regardless of form or characteristics, made or received by a Federal agency under Federal law or in connection with the transaction of public business and preserved or appropriate for preservation by that agency or its legitimate successor as evidence of the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the United States Government or because of the informational value of data in them.

The term Federal record:

1.	includes [Agency] records.
2.	does not include personal materials.
3.	applies to records created, received, or maintained by Contractors pursuant to their [Agency] contract.
4.	may include deliverables and documentation associated with deliverables.
2.	C. Requirements
1.	Contractor shall comply with all applicable records management laws and regulations, as well as National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) records policies, including but not limited to the Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. chs. 21, 29, 31, 33), NARA regulations at 36 CFR Chapter XII Subchapter B, and those policies associated with the safeguarding of records covered by the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a). These policies include the preservation of all records, regardless of form or characteristics, mode of transmission, or state of completion.
2.	In accordance with 36 CFR 1222.32, all data created for Government use and delivered to, or falling under the legal control of, the Government are Federal records subject to the provisions of 44 U.S.C. chapters 21, 29, 31, and 33, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), as amended, and the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended and must be managed and scheduled for disposition only as permitted by statute or regulation.
3.	In accordance with 36 CFR 1222.32, Contractor shall maintain all records created for Government use or created in the course of performing the contract and/or delivered to, or under the legal control of the Government and must be managed in accordance with Federal law. Electronic records and associated metadata must be accompanied by sufficient technical documentation to permit understanding and use of the records and data.
4.	[Agency] and its contractors are responsible for preventing the alienation or unauthorized destruction of records, including all forms of mutilation. Records may not be removed from the legal custody of [Agency] or destroyed except for in accordance with the provisions of the agency records schedules and with the written concurrence of the Head of the Contracting Activity. Willful and unlawful destruction, damage or alienation of Federal records is subject to the fines and penalties imposed by 18 U.S.C. 2701. In the event of any unlawful or accidental removal, defacing, alteration, or destruction of records, Contractor must report to [Agency]. The agency must report promptly to NARA in accordance with 36 CFR 1230.
5.	The Contractor shall immediately notify the appropriate Contracting Officer upon discovery of any inadvertent or unauthorized disclosures of information, data, documentary materials, records or equipment. Disclosure of non-public information is limited to authorized personnel with a need-to-know as described in the [contract vehicle]. The Contractor shall ensure that the appropriate personnel, administrative, technical, and physical safeguards are established to ensure the security and confidentiality of this information, data, documentary material, records and/or equipment is properly protected. The Contractor shall not remove material from Government facilities or systems, or facilities or systems operated or maintained on the Government’s behalf, without the express written permission of the Head of the Contracting Activity. When information, data, documentary material, records and/or equipment is no longer required, it shall be returned to [Agency] control or the Contractor must hold it until otherwise directed. Items returned to the Government shall be hand carried, mailed, emailed, or securely electronically transmitted to the Contracting Officer or address prescribed in the [contract vehicle]. Destruction of records is EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED unless in accordance with Paragraph (4).
6.	The Contractor is required to obtain the Contracting Officer's approval prior to engaging in any contractual relationship (sub-contractor) in support of this contract requiring the disclosure of information, documentary material and/or records generated under, or relating to, contracts. The Contractor (and any sub-contractor) is required to abide by Government and [Agency] guidance for protecting sensitive, proprietary information, classified, and controlled unclassified information.
7.	The Contractor shall only use Government IT equipment for purposes specifically tied to or authorized by the contract and in accordance with [Agency] policy.
8.	The Contractor shall not create or maintain any records containing any non-public [Agency] information that are not specifically tied to or authorized by the contract.
9.	The Contractor shall not retain, use, sell, or disseminate copies of any deliverable that contains information covered by the Privacy Act of 1974 or that which is generally protected from public disclosure by an exemption to the Freedom of Information Act.
10.	The [Agency] owns the rights to all data and records produced as part of this contract. All deliverables under the contract are the property of the U.S. Government for which [Agency] shall have unlimited rights to use, dispose of, or disclose such data contained therein as it determines to be in the public interest. Any Contractor rights in the data or deliverables must be identified as required by FAR 52.227-11 through FAR 52.227-20.
11.	Training. All Contractor employees assigned to this contract who create, work with, or otherwise handle records are required to take [Agency]-provided records management training. The Contractor is responsible for confirming training has been completed according to agency policies, including initial training and any annual or refresher training.

[Note: To the extent an agency requires contractors to complete records management training, the agency must provide the training to the contractor.] D. Flow down of requirements to subcontractors

1.	The Contractor shall incorporate the substance of this clause, its terms and requirements including this paragraph, in all subcontracts under this [contract vehicle], and require written subcontractor acknowledgment of same.
2.	Violation by a subcontractor of any provision set forth in this clause will be attributed to the Contractor.

H. QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVELLIANCE PLAN (QASP)

The QASP and its performance are as follows:

Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) for Reference Laboratory

Task

Indicator

Standard

Acceptable Quality Level

Method of Surveillance

Incentive

Turnaround Time (TAT)

Report Delivery Time

Test results delivered within stated TAT

95% of tests completed within stated TAT

Monthly performance review of reports

Exercise of Option Period & Past Performance

Accuracy and Precision

Test Result Accuracy

Test results > 98% accurate

≥ 95% accuracy on proficiency testing

Internal and external proficiency tests

Exercise of Option Period & Past Performance

Compliance with Regulatory

Compliance with CLIA/CAP

Full compliance with all regulations

100% compliance

Annual external audits

Exercise of Option Period & Past Performance

Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction Surveys

High satisfaction ratings

≥ 95% satisfaction based on feedback

Quarterly survey analysis

Exercise of Option Period & Past Performance

B.3 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

REFERENCE LAB TESTING-CENTRAL ARKANSAS VETERANS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

YEARLY COST PER TEST (CPT) 5 YEARLY ORDERING PERIODS

04/01/2026 - 03/31/2031

Base Year: 04/01/2026-03/31/2027

CLIN

TEST (S)

CPT CODE (S)

ESTIMATED ANNUAL TEST VOLUME

COST PER TEST (CPT)