Fresno Blood and Blood Products

The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration Veterans Integrated Service Network 21 (Fresno VA Medical Center) is seeking to procure blood and blood products through a sole-source procurement under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 12.102, citing that only one responsible source exists capable of meeting the government's requirements. The vendor must be FDA-registered to store and distribute blood and blood products, maintain current AABB accreditation, provide 24/7 coverage, and most critically, deliver STAT/emergency orders within two hours of order placement and stock orders within four hours. All blood must be collected from 100% volunteer donors and tested in accordance with FDA and AABB standards. The government will evaluate responses based on capability to demonstrate compliance with the two-hour STAT delivery requirement and other technical specifications outlined in the estimated quantity price schedule, which itemizes various blood products, transfusion services, clinical and reference laboratory testing, and specialized services such as rare donor recruitment and expedited delivery. Responses from any responsible source claiming capability to perform these requirements must be submitted via email to Leah Smith at leah.smith@va.gov by Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 11:00 AM Pacific Time, with questions due two business days prior to the closing date.

This procurement carries no set-aside designation and represents a sole-source intent award to Central California Blood Center (NHLLKL94DAJ7), identified as the only FDA-registered source capable of meeting the short-turnaround delivery obligation within the Fresno area. The contract is structured as a one-year firm fixed-price estimated quantity order effective June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2027, with an estimated contract value of $40 million and NAICS classification 621991 (Blood and Organ Banks). Market research identified ten FDA-registered blood establishments in the Fresno area, but only Central California Blood Center possesses the capability and authorization to serve as both a blood bank and distributor to the VA facility within the required timeframes. Performance of services will occur at the VA Central California Health Care System Blood Bank located at 2615 East Clinton Avenue, Fresno, California 94703, with FOB destination and all blood transport and storage responsibility assumed by the vendor. If no alternative responses are received demonstrating comparable capability, the government will proceed directly to sole-source award to Central California Blood Center.