S02 - 36C25726Q0297 - Sources Sought - 36C257-26-AP-2104.docx

The Amarillo VA Health Care System (AVAHCS) in Amarillo, Texas is seeking sources capable of meeting the requirements listed below. The acquisition will be accomplished using commercial item procedures in accordance with FAR Part 12.

NOTE: TO QUALIFY SDVOSB AND VOSB VENDORS MUST BE REGISTERED AS SUCH IN THE U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DATABASE.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is 621511. Any firms who wish to identify their interests and capability to provide this product must provide product specifications, performance and delivery information by notifying the Contract Specialist no later than 1:00 PM Eastern, February 25, 2026. Packages shall be e-mailed to Joshua Weisman via email at joshua.weisman@va.gov.

I. Disclaimer:

This Sources Sought Notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this Notice that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. In accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation, responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Notice.

II. Purpose:

Due to limitations in in-house testing capability, instrument downtime risk, space constraints, and the need for rapid turnaround for select assays, PLMS requires a local off-site STAT/Urgent reference laboratory capable of rapid specimen pickup, expedited testing, and electronic ordering and results reporting. The intent is to establish an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to provide flexible, scalable STAT and Urgent laboratory testing services, ordered on an as-needed basis, with no guaranteed volume.

III. Scope:

The Amarillo Veterans Affairs Health Care System (AVAHCS) Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) located in Amarillo, Texas, requires a local contractual service vendor for Off Site STAT/Urgent Laboratory Services/Testing on an “As Needed Basis” for laboratory tests that are not available in-house.

IV. Location:

The Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Services lab is located at the Thomas E. Creek Amarillo VA Health Care System, 6010 Amarillo Blvd., West Amarillo, TX 79106

V. General Information:

A. Scope & Objectives for Each Local Vendor

1. The local Vendor laboratory shall provide all resources necessary to accomplish the services described in this PWS except as may otherwise be specified.

2. All professionals providing services under the terms of this contract will have appropriate Board Certifications and possess the requisite skills and experience to perform laboratory services/testing as defined in this Performance Work Statement.

3. Additionally, these laboratory services/testing will be performed locally off-site on an “As Needed Basis” and the AVAHCS P&LMS shall not be required to furnish any equipment other than the required patient testing sample (blood, serum, plasma, urine, body fluid, etc.) plus any required clinical history related to the performance of the laboratory testing.

4. Due to the urgent diagnostic nature of the test results; and the sensitivity, viability, and the required storage temperature of the patient sample the local Vendor shall be available to perform services/testing 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week basis during the calendar year, including holidays and weekends for the following VA site:

AVAHCS

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service 6010 Amarillo Blvd., West Amarillo, Texas 79106

5. All tests that are STAT/Urgent shall be called to the AVAHCS Laboratory within one (1) hour of receipt of sample at the vendor’s facility and a faxed report to follow within 30 minutes after telephone notification to the customer.

6. All tests that are critical or panic values shall be called to the ordering AVAHCS Laboratory within one (1) hour of receipt of sample at the vendors facility and a faxed report to follow within 30 minutes after telephone notification to the customer.

7. Each local Vendor assisting in the performance of this work statement is considered part of the VA health activity for purposes of the following statutes and the VA regulations implementing these statues: the Privacy Act, 5. S.C. sec 552a, and 38 U.S. C. sections 5701, 7705, and 7332.

8. Refer to Attachment A for a list of tests required to be performed for the Off-Site Laboratory Services/Testing at VA sites (Refer to 4 a) for the local Vendor’s facility but not limited to on an “As Needed Basis”.

VI. Terms of the Contract

A. Period of Performance for each local Vendor:

The Base Year (date of award plus one (1) year) and four (4) one-year option periods are required under this contract from the date of award unless otherwise extended by the Contracting Officer. The contract(s) is subject to the availability of VA funds.

B. Type of Contract for Each Local Vendor:

Firm Fixed Price per CPT test code IDIQ.

C. Description of Tasks and Associated Deliverables for Each Local Vendor:

1. The local Vendor for VA area of service (see address above) shall provide on an “As Needed Basis” STAT/Urgent laboratory services/testing described within the performance period of this PWS.

2. The performance of the local Vendor at the VA area of service (see address above) shall be according to the requirements contained in this PWS and equal to that of the professional standards of CAP and/or TJC.

D. Billing for Each Local Vendor:

1. The Local Vendor at each VA area of service (see address above), shall bill monthly in arrears and process the billing through the Government E-Invoice system. (OB10) www.tungsten-network.com

2. Payment for both local Vendors will be the responsibility of AVAHCS in Amarillo, Texas.

VII. Each Local Vendor’s Responsibility

A. Services Required

1. The Vendor at the local area of service (see address above) shall provide Off-Site STAT/Urgent laboratory services/testing on an “As Needed Basis” in accordance with the terms of this contract for the AVAHCS facility located in Amarillo, Texas.

2. The Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Chief, of P&LMS will have the final technical and administrative direction over all services/tests provided.

B. Vendors shall

1. Provide local off- site STAT/Urgent laboratory services/testing in such a manner as to assist the AVAHCS laboratory located in Amarillo, Texas to give timely and accurately requested services/testing for the clinical care of Veteran patients on an “As Needed Basis” 24/7 during the calendar year including weekends and holidays.

2. Call all tests that are STAT/Urgent to the AVAHCS Laboratory within one (1) hour of receipt of sample at the vendors facility and a faxed report to follow within 30 minutes after telephone notification to the customer.

3. Call all tests that are critical or panic values to the ordering AVAHCS Laboratory within one (1) hour of time of receipt of sample at the vendors facility and a faxed report to follow within 30 minutes after telephone notification to the customer.

4. Finalize services/testing at their medical facility and release in a secure manner, finalized test reports to the ordering AVAHCS laboratory either digitally or as a hard copy report after receiving the laboratory orders at the Vendors’ laboratory facility.

C. Vendor’s Qualifications:

1. The Vendors laboratory shall be accredited through the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and/or The Joint Commission (TJC) and supply documentations attesting to their accreditation.

2. The Vendor shall supply AVAHCS laboratory with a copy of their Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments (CLIA) number along with a copy of their CAP and/or THC certificate.

3. The Clinical Pathologist(s) of the laboratory assigned by the Vendor to perform the Off-Site STAT/Urgent laboratory services/testing covered by this contract shall be licensed to practice medicine in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia.

4. Everyone identified for performance of this contract for Off-Site STAT/Urgent laboratory services/testing shall have appropriate certifications and training to perform laboratory testing as attested to one or more of the following agencies: CAP, JCAHO, American Society of Clinical Pathologist (ASCP), or American Medical Technologist (AMT).

D. Location of Performance:

These laboratory services/testing will be performed locally off-site at the Vendors facility on an “As Needed Basis” and the AVAHCS P&LMS shall not be required to furnish any equipment other than the required patient testing sample (blood, serum, plasma, urine, body fluid, etc.) plus any required clinical history related to the performance of the laboratory testing.

VIII. Special Requirements for Each Local Vendor:

A. Confidentiality

1. The Vendor and any sub vendors and its employees are subject to the provisions of HIPAA, 38 U.S.C. 5705 and the Privacy Act of 1974 as well as all other applicable confidentiality laws and VA regulations in performance of the services required by the contract. This includes both Privacy and Security Rules published by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

2. The Vendor shall comply with all VA security policies and applicable confidentiality statutes, including 38 U.S.C. 5701, 38 U.S.C. 5705, 38 U.S.C. 7332, 5 U.S.C. 552a (Privacy Act), as well as 45 C.F.R. Parts 160,162, and 164 (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).

3. The Vendor shall keep confidential the contents of all medical documents entrusted to its care. Employees of the Vendor shall not disclose to any unauthorized person, firm, or corporation knowledge entrusted during performance of the contract.

4. Records created by the Vendor while treating VA patients under this agreement are the property of the VA and shall not be accessed, released, transferred, or destroyed except in accordance with applicable federal law and regulations.

5. The contractor shall maintain confidentiality of HSRO/QA information per 38 USC 5705 and VHA Handbook 1605.1.

6. The C&A requirements do not apply, and a Security Accreditation Package is not required

DISCLAIMER:

THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTES.

However, Contractors may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the contracting officer whether to continue with the sole source procurement or to provide for competition. Due to technical issues, please allow additional time if you’re using electronic means.

Responses received will be evaluated; however, a determination by the Government to award proposed procurement based upon responses received to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.