AJ11--Research Lab Services - Genomics Core Sequencing Services - RICHMOND | EDA: 9/26/25

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Central Virginia VA Health Care System, has issued a Special Notice announcing its intent to award a sole source contract to George Mason University for comprehensive microbiome tissue sample analysis services. The contract will support VA-funded research studies titled "BCCMA: Targeting Gut Microbiome in Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases in US Veterans" and "CMA4: At the Crossroads of the Gut Microbiome, Cirrhosis, and PTSD." The VA intends to utilize the MicroBiome Analysis Center (MBAC) at George Mason University for these genomics core sequencing services. The agency is proceeding under FAR 6.302-3, which permits sole source awards to educational institutions for essential research capabilities. This notice falls under the Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences NAICS category and relates to general science and technology basic research services.

The VA's sole source justification is based on the need to establish or maintain essential research capabilities that must be provided by an educational institution, specifically citing George Mason University as a NIH-sponsored center that meets the required criteria. While this is not a competitive solicitation, the agency has provided an opportunity for other responsible sources to demonstrate their capabilities by submitting capability statements to the contracting office by August 1, 2025, at 12:00 PM EST. Interested parties must submit their capability statements via email to Lynn Portman at lynn.portman@va.gov, with telephone responses explicitly prohibited. The government retains sole discretion in determining whether to proceed with the sole source award based on any responses received. The research initiative focuses on studying the relationship between gut microbiome and various health conditions affecting US Veterans, including gastrointestinal diseases, liver diseases, cirrhosis, and PTSD.