6640--Emergency MICROBIOLOGY Cost per test and service CEPHEID (VA-26-00006278)

The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration Veterans Integrated Service Network 8 has published a Special Notice regarding an emergency sole source procurement for microbiology testing services. The notice, designated as contract opportunity 6640--Emergency MICROBIOLOGY Cost per test and service CEPHEID (VA-26-00006278), announces the VA's intent to issue a sole source contract to Cepheid for emergency microbiology services. The procurement is being conducted under FAR 6.302-1(ii)(B) which authorizes other than competitive procedures for emergency situations. The contracting will be handled by the West Palm Beach VA Contracting office, with Contracting Officer David Henry serving as the point of contact. This procurement falls under NAICS code 334516 for Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing and PSC code 6640 for Laboratory Equipment and Supplies.

The primary purpose of this Special Notice is to notify industry of the VA's emergency procurement needs while serving archival documentation requirements for the sole source action. The notice establishes a response deadline of October 10, 2025 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time for interested parties. The contract structure will be a firm fixed-price arrangement providing one-year cost-per-reportable-result microbiology testing and associated services. Due to the emergency nature and sole source designation, participation is limited to Cepheid as the designated contractor for this immediate need. The VA has indicated that while this current procurement addresses urgent requirements, a competitive Request for Quote (RFQ) for a base contract plus four option years will be released at a later date in fiscal year 2026, which will provide broader industry participation opportunities.