6640-- Heparin Platelet Testing at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System

This is not a solicitation but rather a Request for Information (RFI/Sources Sought) for market research purposes only. Veteran Health Affairs, Network Contracting Office 4, is issuing this Sources Sought in order to identify capable firms and obtain information for planning purposes only. Veterans Health Affairs, Network Contracting Office 4, is issuing this Sources Sought in order to identify firms capable of performing heparin platelet testing listed below at their facility or site. Responses shall be submitted by 12:00 pm (EST) November 25, 2025. Responses shall be submitted via email to yazmin.alvarez@va.gov. All Service-Disable Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and Veteran-Owned Small Business(VOSB) firms that respond shall include proof of their VETs First Verification via HomeA-VetBiz Portal (va.gov). All small businesses firms that respond shall include proof of small business status via their Representation and Certification in accordance with FAR 4.1102 Policy. While SDVOSB/VOSB contractors are preferred, all capable contractors are welcome to respond to this sources sought notice for market research purposes. All respondents shall include as part of their response a brief capability statement that covers the information in the following tentative statement of work, as well answers to the below three (6) questions. All respondents shall be registered and active in SAM.gov. The results of this market research will assist in the development of (1) the requirement, and (2) the acquisition approach (e.g. socio-economic set-aside, full and open competition, etc.). The VA assumes no responsibility for any costs incurred associated with the preparation of responses. Suggested NAICS:334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) PSC: 6640 (Laboratory Equipment and Supplies). Open to suggestions from industry as to a more proper NAICS and/or PSC, as include answers to the below 6 questions as part of your response to this Sources Sought:

If you can provide the services as described in the below scope of work description please respond by Tuesday November 25th, 2025 at 12:00 PM EST to yazmin.alvarez@va.gov in subject line: 36C24426Q0086 Sources Sought (your company name) with the following information:

Company Name

Socio Economic Status: I.E. Small Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned, Veteran owned, Women Owned, etc.

POC and Email Address

Phone Number

Physical Address

Capability statement pertaining to Scope of Work

Limitations on Subcontracting will apply to the resulting solicitation.

Contract Title: Heparin Platelet Testing

Background:

The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare Systems seeks a vendor who can perform heparin platelet testing at their facility or site.

Scope:

Contractor shall provide all resources, supplies, and equipment necessary to perform reference testing services for coagulation testing, especially platelet function, for the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System s Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Department. Patients on heparin can develop heparin-induced platelet antibodies which destroy platelets. Platelet transfusion therapy in that case is ineffective. Diagnosis of any heparin-induced platelet problems is needed for the evaluation of heparin related platelet dysfunction.

Specific Tasks:

A. The vendor must be able to provide turnaround time (TAT) of 24 hours for specimen results when the specimens are delivered Monday Thursday excluding holidays.

B. The VA Pittsburgh laboratory will be invoiced monthly.

C. The vendor shall perform Heparin Platelet testing on blood samples sent by the Pittsburgh VA Healthcare System.

D. The following tests and estimated quantities will be needed based on a 12 month period:

Item #

Qty

Heparin Platelet Antibody

3

Heparin PF4 Platelet Antibody

3

Heparin Platelet Antibody Panel

30

Platelet Aggregation Panel

3

E. Blood samples labelled with at least two patient identifiers will be submitted by the VA Pittsburgh laboratory. Each sample will be accompanied by the personalized Test Requisition Form provided by the vendor.

F. The reference lab must be fully accredited and meet all applicable federal, state and local standards and regulatory agency requirements. This includes a valid CLIA license, a current applicable state license/permit, a current CAP (College of American Pathologists) Accreditation or, if applicable, a current Joint Commission (TJC) accreditation.

G. Copies of all relevant permits/licenses and certification inclusive of any sanctions current or pending throughout the United States must be supplied to the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System s Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Department. These documents must be updated immediately by providing current certificates, as they become available.

H. Vendor must provide a courier service to pick up the samples.

I. Samples must be picked up no later than 5pm, Monday through Friday.

Vendor Information Requirements:

Patient information (pursuant to all regulations dealing with patient privacy) will be provided at the time of the order. This information will be used to calculate usage for billing and submitting test results. Vendor agrees to notify the Point of Contact (POC) of any changes to testing information including, but not limited to, reference ranges, sample requirements or delays in testing. Vendor will work with POC to schedule any required training or education. A testing site within a 10 mile radius of VA Pittsburgh is required when testing is done on critically ill patients and it is crucial for a quick turnaround time for quality patient care.

Government Furnished Property:

The government will furnish no property to the vendor.

Term Of Contract:

This will be a five year contract. No service shall be performed by the contractor after the end date until the Contracting Officer authorizes such services in writing.

Legal Requirements Related To Medical Records/Privacy And Confidentiality:

A. Contractor must adhere to the provisions of Public Law 104-191, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 and the National Standards to Protect the Privacy and Security of Protected Health Information (PHI). As required, by HIPAA, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has promulgated rules governing the security, use, and disclosure of protected health information by covered entities, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

B. Records created by the Contractor in the course of treating patients under this contract are the property of VA and shall not be accessed, released, transferred or destroyed except in accordance with applicable federal law and regulations.

C. The treatment and administrative patient records created by, or provided to, the Contractor under this contract is covered by the VA system of records entitled Patient Medical Records VA (24VA19), which is available at http://www.rms.oit.va.gov/SOR_Records/24VA19.asp

D. The Contractor is required to comply with Title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 24.101-24.104 Protection of Privacy and Freedom of Information . When responding to a veteran s request that copies of records are released to a third party, the Contractor shall refer the veteran to VA for release of records. The Contractor is responsible for complying with VHA, Joint Commission, HIPAA, and other applicable external regulatory agency regulations.

E. Neither the VA nor the Contractor has the legal authority to require that a patient provide his/her Social Security Number to the VA as a condition for receiving medical care under Title 38, United States Code. If the patient does not provide a Social Security Number, the VA will assign a unique identification number to the patient.

Period of Performance:

This contract will be valid for a base year time period. In addition, the contract should contain 4 additional option years.

The base year of this contract should reflect 1/1/26-12/31/26.

Performance Monitoring:

It will be the responsibility of the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System Ancillary/Phlebotomy Supervisor/designee to monitor all performance issues with the vendor.

Security Requirements:

In accordance with VA policy, contractors storage, generation, transmission or exchanging of VA sensitive information is involved with this procurement.

Delivery Location:

VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System

2NW101 Bldg. 1

University Drive C

Pittsburgh, PA 15240

Results are to be faxed to 412-360-1075