AJ11--Supine to Seated or Standing Lumbar Spine MRI Scan Services

DESCRIPTION

This is a Sources Sought Notice issued solely for information and planning purposes. This notice is intended to identify potential sources that possess the capabilities, experience, and resources necessary to provide the services described herein. This is not a solicitation and shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or award a contract.

Regional Procurement Office (RPO) East, is conducting market research to determine the availability of qualified sources capable of providing specialized lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan services in support of a VA research study.

The purpose of this notice is to determine the availability of qualified small and large business concerns and to assist the Government in acquisition planning, including potential socioeconomic set-aside considerations. Interested firms are encouraged to identify their business size and socioeconomic status.

The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 621512, Diagnostic Imaging Centers.

Responses to this Sources Sought Notice will be used for market research purposes only. Responses are not considered offers and will not be evaluated for award. Interested parties must respond separately to any future solicitation announcement.

There is no solicitation at this time. The Government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred in responding to this notice. Interested parties shall not submit pricing information.

Questions regarding this notice shall be submitted via email to millicent.covert@va.gov.

SCOPE

Specific Tasks and Deliverables

This study requires MRI scans while the subject is seated or standing to allow body weight loading of the lumbar spine. The scanning facility shall possess MRI equipment capable of imaging subjects in both supine and weight-bearing (standing or seated) positions.

The Government prefers a system that allows imaging in both positions without requiring the subject to exit and re-enter the scanner. The anticipated study population is approximately thirty-nine (39) participants over a four-year period beginning on or about January 1, 2027.

The Contractor shall provide the following:

Pre-Whole Body Vibration (WBV) MRI Series

One (1) lumbar spine supine MRI scan.

One (1) lumbar spine weight-bearing MRI scan.

Total pre-WBV MRI time shall not exceed sixty (60) minutes.

Post-Whole Body Vibration (WBV) MRI Series

One (1) lumbar spine supine MRI scan.

One (1) lumbar spine weight-bearing MRI scan.

Total post-WBV MRI time shall not exceed sixty (60) minutes.

Contractor Requirements

The Contractor shall:

Be located within one hundred (100) miles of the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Provide certified MRI technologists to perform all scans.

Provide access to a private room for subject exposure to thirty (30) minutes of whole-body vibration. The VA research team will furnish the vibration table and chair.

Perform all MRI scans described above. The VA study team will coordinate with the Contractor regarding the MRI sequences necessary to achieve study objectives within the required timeframe.

Provide a standard clinical interpretation of each pre-WBV MRI scan by a licensed radiologist affiliated with the imaging facility. Reports shall include findings by spinal level and overall regional assessment. De-identified PDF reports shall be provided within two (2) weeks of the scan date.

Maintain participant confidentiality through the use of study-specific identifiers supplied by the VA study team.

Provide secure electronic access to all imaging studies. Data transfer shall occur through VA-approved secure file-sharing methods.

Provide suitable laboratory space for VA personnel to measure urine specific gravity samples using VA-furnished equipment. VA personnel will be responsible for sample handling and disposal.

RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS

Interested parties shall submit the following information:

1. Company Information

Provide:

Company name

Physical and mailing address

Website address

Point of Contact (POC)

Telephone number

Email address

Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)

Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code

2. Business Size and Socioeconomic Status

Identify your firm's business size under NAICS Code 621512 and indicate all applicable socioeconomic classifications, including:

Small Business (SB)

Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)

8(a) Business Development Program Participant

HUBZone Small Business

Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB)

Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB)

Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)

Large Business

Provide:

Business structure (e.g., Corporation, LLC, Partnership, Sole Proprietorship)

Active SAM registration status

SAM registration information is available at https://sam.gov/.

If claiming a socioeconomic designation, identify the applicable certification program and certification status.

NOTE: Any future contract award may only be made to an entity with an active registration in SAM.gov. Firms seeking consideration under a socioeconomic set-aside program must satisfy all applicable eligibility and certification requirements at the time of offer submission and contract award.

3. Capability Statement

Submit a capability statement not to exceed ten (10) pages addressing your organization's ability to perform the requirements described in this notice.

The capability statement should include:

Experience providing upright and/or weight-bearing MRI services.

Description of MRI equipment available for this requirement.

Experience supporting clinical research studies, if applicable.

Qualifications of personnel who would perform the work.

Ability to provide radiologist interpretations and de-identified reports.

Ability to securely transfer imaging files and reports.

Ability to meet the location and facility requirements identified herein.

4. Relevant Experience

Provide examples of recent and relevant projects or contracts performed within the last five (5) years that are similar in scope, size, and complexity.

Include:

Customer name

Contract number (if applicable)

Period of performance

Description of services provided

Contract value (if available)

5. Teaming Arrangements

If subcontractors, teaming partners, or joint ventures are anticipated, describe the proposed arrangement and explain how management and performance responsibilities would be allocated.

MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSE

The Government will evaluate market information received to determine the availability of qualified sources capable of meeting the requirement and to assess the extent of competition available within the marketplace. Responses will be used solely for acquisition planning and market research purposes.

RESPONSE CHECKLIST

Interested parties should ensure their response includes the following:

Company name, address, website, point of contact, telephone number, and email address.

Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and CAGE Code.

Business size status under NAICS 621512, Diagnostic Imaging Centers.

Applicable socioeconomic designation(s), if any (e.g., SDVOSB, VOSB, HUBZone, 8(a), WOSB, EDWOSB, SDB).

Confirmation of active registration in SAM.gov.

Capability Statement (maximum 10 pages).

Description of MRI equipment and capability to perform both supine and weight-bearing lumbar spine MRI scans.

Confirmation that the facility is located within 100 miles of the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI.

Description of relevant experience performing similar MRI imaging services and/or supporting clinical research studies.

Identification of certified MRI technologists and licensed radiologists available to support the requirement.

Description of secure methods for providing de-identified reports and imaging files to the Government.

Relevant past performance information for similar work performed within the last five (5) years.

Description of any proposed teaming arrangements, subcontractors, or joint venture partners.

Reference number 36C24E27Q0011 included in the email subject line.

RESPONSE SUBMISSION

Responses shall be submitted via email to millicent.covert@va.gov no later than 11:59 a.m. Eastern Time, November 10, 2026.

Please reference 36C24E27Q0011 in the subject line of your email.