Wheelchair Transportation Services for Valley Costal Bend (VCB)

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Integrated Service Network 17 is procuring 24/7 non-emergent wheelchair transportation services under solicitation number 36C25726R0008. The contractor must provide wheelchair transport services across 17-20 South Texas counties serving the Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System and its affiliated clinics, with service requirements including base-rate trips covering the first 25 miles, additional mileage charges beyond that distance, and waiting time services billed in 15-minute increments. Key qualifications include possession of appropriate licensing and vehicle registration, valid driver's licenses with one year of driving experience and clean driving records, first aid and oxygen administration certification, tuberculosis testing clearance, background investigation clearance, HIPAA compliance, $19 million in medical liability insurance, and compliance with Service Contract Act wage determinations applicable across multiple Texas counties. Evaluation will be based on three criteria: price, past performance (requiring at least two recent and relevant wheelchair transportation references), and technical capability including quality control plans, contingency plans, dispatch procedures, and federal, state, and local compliance documentation. The solicitation due date has been extended to February 20, 2026 at 10:00 AM CST, with a prior deadline for questions having passed on January 20, 2026 at 2:00 PM CST.

This solicitation is set aside 100 percent for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) under NAICS code 485991 with a $19 million size standard, and there is no incumbent contractor as this represents a new requirement currently serviced by five companies on an as-needed basis. The contract is structured as a single-award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) firm-fixed-price contract for a 60-month ordering period from March 16, 2026 through March 15, 2031, with an IDC minimum of $5,000 and maximum of $10,000,000. Historical data indicates estimated annual quantities of approximately 32,000 trips for patients under 300 pounds and 25,000 trips for patients over 300 pounds, with average weekday volumes of 50-70 trips per day. The place of performance is Harlingen, Texas 78550 (and affiliated clinics across South Texas), and the contractor must commence operations within 30 days of contract award. All transportation requests must be managed through the VetRide Vendor Portal or VA-approved software, with invoices submitted electronically within 30 calendar days of service using HCFA 1500 forms.