Q517--Pharmacy Benefit Management First Fill Services

The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration, specifically Veterans Integrated Service Network 23 (VISN 23), is conducting a Request for Information (RFI) for Pharmacy Benefit Management First Fill Services at the VA Central Iowa Health Care System. The market research aims to identify potential vendors capable of providing first-time prescription fills for veterans at the main facility in Des Moines and six associated Community-Based Outreach Clinics across central Iowa. Key contract requirements include filling only new prescriptions from authorized VA providers, using generic drugs when possible, and limiting prescription supplies to 10 days with specific exceptions. Vendors must provide a pharmacy network within 5 miles of each facility and ensure pharmacists are graduates of ACPE-accredited programs with current state and DEA licensing. The RFI is currently in the pre-solicitation stage, with responses due by May 9, 2025, at 10:00 AM Central Time, and is classified under NAICS code 524292 and Product Service Code Q517.

The opportunity is not set aside for any specific business category, making it open to all qualified vendors. The estimated contract value covers approximately 6,000 prescription fills over a five-year period from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2030. Pricing will be based on Average Wholesale Price (AWP), with a focus on medication counseling, adverse event reporting, and compliance with federal privacy regulations. Pharmacies must have current DEA and state pharmacy licenses, and the contract emphasizes strict privacy and licensing standards. Interested companies are required to submit detailed company information, including name, point of contact, DUNS number, and business size to joshua.imdacha@va.gov. It is important to note that this RFI is strictly for information and planning purposes, and responses cannot be used to form a binding contract, with respondents bearing all expenses associated with their submission.