Proficiency Testing for WRSU

The Department of Health and Human Services' Indian Health Service seeks a contractor to provide proficiency testing and calibration verification samples for the Whiteriver Service Unit and Cibecue Health Center Laboratory departments. The primary objective is to help these facilities maintain accreditation with the Joint Commission (TJC) and Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) by meeting CLIA'88 regulations. Key contract requirements include providing 5 samples three times per year for regulated analytes and 5 samples two times per year for non-regulated analytes across multiple laboratory disciplines such as chemistry, hematology, coagulation, immunology, microbiology, molecular diagnostics, and transfusion services. Interested vendors must submit a completed IEE Representation Form and a comprehensive capability statement demonstrating their ability to meet the Statement of Work requirements. The pre-solicitation response deadline is December 27, 2024, with all correspondence to be sent to Jeremiah Murrell at jeremiah.murrell@ihs.gov.

The contract is set aside under the Buy Indian Act, specifically targeting Native American and Alaska Native owned businesses that are Indian Economic Enterprises (IEE) or Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEE) with at least 51% Native American ownership. The College of American Pathologist (CAP) is the current incumbent provider, having served for over 17 years. The contract structure includes a base period with four potential option years, covering two delivery locations: the Whiteriver PHS Indian Hospital Laboratory and the Cibecue Health Center Laboratory in Arizona. All vendors must be CMS-approved, capable of handling temperature-sensitive sample shipping, provide online results reporting, and maintain clear communication about shipment and reporting details. While specific award values are not disclosed, the contract requires a comprehensive service approach that ensures continuous compliance with strict medical laboratory accreditation standards.