Referral Lab Testing - ELMHS

The State of Louisiana, specifically the Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System (ELMHS), is seeking a contractor to provide comprehensive referral laboratory testing services across East Baton Rouge Parish and Baton Rouge City. The solicitation (RFx #3000024861) requires a vendor to handle specimen collection, transportation, and analysis for 236 specific medical laboratory tests, ranging from basic metabolic panels to specialized diagnostic screenings. Qualified bidders must possess CLIA licensing, College of American Pathologists (CAP) accreditation, and have a Board Certified Pathologist on staff. The contract mandates critical test results be reported within 4 hours and routine results within 24 hours, with all testing performed by Louisiana-certified phlebotomists. Key deliverables include secure computer systems for result transmission, equipment provision, and comprehensive billing services covering Medicare, legacy Medicaid, and client insurance. The bid is scheduled for public opening on July 15, 2025, at 10:00 AM Central Time, with written inquiries due by July 1, 2025, and responses provided by July 8, 2025. The contract will be awarded on an all-or-none basis to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.

The procurement is structured as an open-ended requirements contract with an initial 12-month period and potential renewals for two additional 12-month periods, not exceeding 36 months total. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly mentioned, the solicitation emphasizes compliance with civil rights laws and anti-discrimination provisions. Vendors must be registered in the LaGov vendor system and adhere to e-verify compliance requirements. The contract requires comprehensive insurance coverage, including workers' compensation, commercial general liability, and automobile liability with specified minimum coverage amounts. Although the exact budget range is not directly stated, the pricing structure allows bidders to submit unit prices for each of the 236 listed tests, with an option for a percentage discount on unlisted tests. Billing will be handled monthly on an itemized basis, with laboratory services for tests not listed to be billed at the current Medicaid rate. The contract emphasizes confidentiality of test results and includes provisions for immediate cancellation if confidentiality is breached.