Proficiency Testing for ORELAP accreditation

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is seeking a sole-source procurement for proficiency testing services for cannabis testing laboratories accredited or seeking accreditation through the Oregon Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ORELAP). The specific procurement involves contracting with Phenova, the only provider accredited by a Proficiency Testing Provider Accreditor (PTPA) that can manufacture proficiency testing (PT) standards in a real cannabis matrix for both potency and pesticides testing. The services are required to comply with Oregon Administrative Rules and will involve Phenova directly billing individual testing laboratories for cannabis matrix PT samples, with the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory (OSPHL) facilitating the effort. The contract duration is proposed for up to ten years, with the current solicitation posted on April 27, 2023, and a response deadline of May 1, 2023. Phenova will be responsible for creating standardized testing materials that enable cannabis laboratories to validate their testing accuracy and maintain regulatory compliance.

The procurement appears to be a non-competitive, sole-source contract specifically targeted to Phenova due to their unique accreditation and service capabilities. No specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned in the documentation. The contract will be funded through direct billing to participating cannabis testing laboratories, with no explicit budget range provided. The sole-source justification is predicated on Phenova being the only provider meeting the specific technical requirements for creating cannabis matrix proficiency testing standards. The contract will effectively support cannabis testing laboratories in maintaining their ORELAP accreditation by providing standardized, high-quality proficiency testing materials. While the exact financial scope is not detailed, the ten-year contract duration suggests a significant and sustained commitment to maintaining laboratory testing standards in the Oregon cannabis industry.