Blood Unit Retypes and Immuno-hematological Testing Services

The Indian Health Service, under the Department of Health and Human Services, published a Special Notice on March 20, 2026, announcing its intent to award a sole source contract for Blood Unit Retypes and Immuno-hematological Testing Services to Northern Plains Laboratory in Bismarck, North Dakota. This notice is issued under Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 6.103-1, which permits awards when only one responsible source exists and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Billings Area Indian Health Service, Blackfeet Service Unit in Browning, Montana, determined that Northern Plains Laboratory is the sole source capable of providing the specialized testing services needed in the region. The contract will be awarded on a firm fixed price basis under NAICS code 621511 for Medical Laboratories services. This notice does not constitute a competitive solicitation but rather informs interested parties of the government's contracting intent.

The objective of this sole source contract is to obtain specialized blood unit retype and patient immunohematology testing services required by FDA and CMS regulations as well as Joint Commission accreditation standards. The contract period runs from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027, with work involving the retesting of approximately 300 stored blood units and post-transfusion workups for transfused patients. Interested parties must submit a written statement of capabilities by March 26, 2026, via email to Shannon.Connelly@ihs.gov as a Microsoft Word or PDF attachment, and such statements must contain clear and convincing evidence that competition would benefit the government. The performing laboratory must maintain current CLIA certification for high complexity testing, with blood specimens to be shipped at the government's expense and test results required within 24 hours of completion. All costs associated with preparing and submitting capability statements are the sole responsibility of respondents and will not be reimbursed by the government.