Biospecimen Sample Transfer

The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Integrated Service Network 22 is soliciting specialized transportation services for the transfer of approximately 77,000 biospecimen samples from the San Diego VA Healthcare System to the CSP CRPCC Central Biorepository in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The procurement involves transporting five specialized freezers containing sensitive biological materials including PBMC, serum, cytokine supernatants, and DNA extracts from the Million Veteran Program and Cooperative Studies Program, requiring compliance with OSHA, DOT, CDC, and IATA regulations. Contractors must demonstrate at least two years of relevant experience handling biospecimens or similar sensitive materials, verified through two to five government or commercial contract references. The evaluation will award to the responsible offeror with the lowest price that meets solicitation requirements through a compliance review, responsibility determination, and price assessment. The inquiry period closed on August 4, 2025, at 11:00 AM PST, with final quotes due by August 12, 2025, at 11:00 AM PST via email to Contract Specialist Katharine Robert.

This procurement is designated as a 100% small business set-aside under NAICS code 484230 (Specialized Freight Trucking, Long-Distance) with a small business size standard of $34.0 million. No incumbent contractors are identified in the solicitation documents, and no specific contract value or budget range is disclosed. The transport involves moving equipment weighing approximately 2,000 pounds each for three liquid nitrogen vapor phase tanks and 2,100-2,200 pounds each for two ultra-low mechanical freezers, with specialized refrigerated trailers requiring onboard power and temperature monitoring capabilities from -196°C to -80°C. The contract will be a firm fixed-price arrangement for a three-month performance period from September 1, 2025, through November 30, 2025. Performance will occur between San Diego, California and Albuquerque, New Mexico, representing a one-time transfer of these valuable research materials. Quotes must remain valid for 60 calendar days from the submission deadline, and all offerors must be verified on SAM.gov at both proposal submission and award times.