DH10-- New - WTX RALs Licenses (VA-25-00044255)

The Department of Veterans Affairs Technology Acquisition Center Austin is procuring Remote Automated Laboratory Systems (RALS) software licenses for the West Texas VA Health Care System through a sole source acquisition from Abbott Rapid Diagnostics Informatics, Inc. The software will provide licensing and interface services for Point of Care testing connectivity, connecting Clinitek and Accucheck modules to enable remote management, quality control result tracking, and compliance with laboratory accreditation requirements. This procurement is being conducted under solicitation number 36C10B25Q0264 as a sole source acquisition under FAR 13.106-1(B)(1), justified because Abbott is the original equipment manufacturer and exclusive provider of the proprietary RALS software compatible with the VA's existing laboratory equipment. The RFQ requires "all or none" submission basis with complete compliance to all requirements and mandates electronic submission. The quote submission deadline is 12:00 PM EST on June 18, 2025, with Tammie Bell serving as the primary point of contact at Tammie.Bell@va.gov.

This procurement does not utilize any set-aside designations and identifies Abbott Rapid Diagnostics Informatics, Inc. as both the incumbent and sole qualified provider for the required software services. The contract structure includes a 12-month base period with four 12-month option periods, totaling a potential five-year engagement with annual renewal costs estimated at $24,083. The procurement will be executed as a firm-fixed-price purchase order using medical services funds, with the total estimated value encompassing all option periods. Market research conducted in January 2025 confirmed no alternative sources capable of providing compatible software for the existing laboratory instruments, reinforcing the sole source justification. The VA has indicated plans to conduct additional market research in future acquisitions to potentially increase competition for similar requirements.