Clinical Reference Laboratory Testing Services - Government Response to DRAFT RFP Q&As

The Defense Health Agency has posted a Special Notice on April 23, 2026, providing government responses to 36 industry questions and feedback submissions regarding Draft RFP HT001526RE001 for Clinical Reference Laboratory Testing Services. This Q&A document addresses clarifications on solicitation requirements, evaluation criteria, and technical specifications that were submitted by potential contractors in response to the draft RFP initially posted on February 20, 2026. The Special Notice serves to publicly communicate the government's official responses to ensure all interested parties have access to the same information and clarifications before submission of proposals. The opportunity falls under NAICS 621511 (Medical Laboratories) and PSC Q301 (Reference Laboratory Testing). Interested contractors should review the attached Q&A response document to understand how their proposed solutions will be evaluated and what requirements must be met.

The purpose of this Special Notice is to provide transparency regarding government expectations and to facilitate a fair and competitive procurement process by addressing industry concerns and questions in advance of the final RFP issuance. Key requirements include CMMC Level 2 certification at contract award, NIST SP 800-171 compliance for handling PHI/PII, and adherence to HL7 V2.3 messaging standards for MHS Genesis interface integration. Small business participation goals remain at 30% total, with specific allocations for socioeconomically disadvantaged businesses (5%), women-owned small businesses (5%), HUBZone businesses (3%), and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (3%). Contractors must meet formatting specifications using 11-point minimum font and may subcontract with CLIA-certified specialty laboratories provided all regulatory and security requirements are satisfied. The deadline for contractors to submit questions or prepare proposals based on this clarification is April 29, 2026, and the contract includes provisions for technology refresh and integration of emerging diagnostic technologies throughout the performance period.