Q701--LifeGift Organ Donation Acquisition Fees

Notice of Intent to Sole Source

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office (NCO) 16, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) intends to issue a sole source contract to LifeGift Organ Donation Center (LifeGift) of 2510 Westridge St, Houston, TX 77054.

LifeGift is a not-for-profit, independent OPO designated by 42 USC 273 and § 42 CFR Part 486, Subpart G, to provide organ recovery services within a specific donation service area (which includes the MEDVAMC) and is a member of the Organ Procurement Transplantation Network (OPTN). The MEDVAMC designated LifeGift as the OPO to provide organ donation and recovery services as may be appropriate to assure that all usable organs are obtained from potential donors. Furthermore, LifeGift has been designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services as a Medicare-certified OPO to procure organs and tissues from organ or tissue donors who die in hospitals and to provide organs and tissue to hospitals that perform organ transplants. Finally, LifeGift is the sole OPO dedicated to recovering organs and tissues for individuals needing transplants in 109 Texas counties in Southwest, North and West Texas; hospitals may not choose which OPO to work with.

Therefore, LifeGift is the sole OPO for the Michael E. DeBakey VAMC, as obligated by federal regulations.