S02 P09 Attachment A.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- 36C25026Q0724
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This is a Department of Veterans Affairs memorandum dated January 3, 2014, from the Under Secretary for Health to VA Network Directors implementing a preferential procurement policy for non-High Enriched Uranium (HEU)-derived medical isotopes. The White House Interagency Policy Committee requested this initiative to address security and nuclear proliferation risks associated with HEU transportation and storage by radioisotope vendors. The VA aims to transition to non-HEU sources to improve national security, promote domestic supplier development, and reduce reliance on foreign sources.
The primary radioisotope affected is Technetium-99m (Tc-99m). In fiscal year 2012, the VA administered 366,000 doses at an average cost of $56 per dose. Conversion to non-HEU production is estimated to increase the cost to $70 per dose, resulting in an annual cost increase of $5.2 million, with total estimated annual costs for non-HEU Tc-99m labeled doses reaching $26 million. VA facilities are directed to notify all Veterans Health Administration Integrated Service Network Chief Medical Officers, Quality Management Officers, Chiefs of Staff, and nuclear medicine staff to begin preferential procurement of non-HEU produced Tc-99m as adequate supplies become available, while expending currently available doses. Dr. Milton Gross, National Nuclear Medicine Director, will inform facilities of potential non-HEU derived Tc-99m sources. Questions should be directed to Dr. Gross at (734) 845-3396 or Milton.Gross2@va.gov.
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| File | Type | Posted |
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| S02 Radioactive Material Parking and Delivery Instructions - AA.docx | DOCX document | |
| S02 Line Items for Vendor to Complete.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| S02 Drawing for Nuc Med deliveries AA.pdf | ||
| S02 36C25026Q0724.pdf | ||
| S02 Radioactive Material Parking and Delivery Instructions-TOPC.docx | DOCX document | |
| 36C25026Q0724_1.docx | DOCX document |
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Text version
Department of Veterans Affairs
Date: JAN O 3 2014
From: Under Secretary for Health (10)
Memorandum subJ: Preferential Procurement of non-High Enriched Uranium-Derived Medical Isotopes
To: Network Directors (10N1 -23)
1. The White House lnteragency Policy Committee has requested that the Department of Veterans Affairs 0/A) preferentially procure medical radioisotopes from non-High Enriched Uranium (HEU) sources. The reason for this request is that transportation and storage of HEU by radioisotope vendors may be a security and nuclear proliferation risk. VA's leadership in the transition to non-HEU radioisotope production will improve national security, promote the creation of domestic suppliers of medical radioisotopes, and will ultimately reduce the United States' reliance on foreign sources. In support of this important initiative, I am asking you to purchase non-HEU derived isotopes when they become commercially available.
2. The principal radioisotope manufactured using HEU is Technectium-99m (Tc-99m). In fiscal year 2012, VA administered 366,000 doses ofTc-99m at an average cost per dose of $56. Conversion of production to non-HEU is estimated to increase the cost to $70 per dose, resulting in an increase of $5.2 million per year.
The total estimated VA cost per year for non-HEU Tc-99m labeled doses will be $26 million.
3. As a point of clarification, VA does not purchase uranium. The radioisotope vendors purchase uranium .to generate Tc-99m. Whether Tc-99m is made with HEU or non-HEU, the radioisotope is the same. Therefore, transition to a non-HEU vendor will not otherwise affect your operations.
4. Please notify all Veterans Health Administration Veterans Integrated Service Network Cnief Medical Officers, Quality Management Officers, Chiefs of Staff, and facility nuclear medicine staff to begin preferential procurement of Tc-99m produced from non-HEU sources as 13dequate supplies become available. Doses currently available should be expended. Dr. Milton Gross, National Nuclear Medicine Director, will inform the field of potential non-HEU derived Tc-99m sources.
5. Questions should be addressed to Dr. Gross by phone at (734) 845-3396 or by e-mail at Milton.Gross2@va.gov. ·
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