6515--Minneapolis VA Health Care System Unit Dose Packager Sources Sought
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), specifically the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, is conducting a Sources Sought for a pharmacy unit dose packager and accessories. This market research aims to identify capable vendors for a system that can create and seal unit dose medication bags, with a critical requirement for compatibility with Pak-Edge UD Barcode Labeling Software 2.0. Responses are due by March 16, 2026.
Scope of Work
The Minneapolis VA Health Care System requires a new pharmacy package/dose packaging system. Key requirements include:
- Ability to create and seal unit dose medication bags.
- Direct barcoding on pouches/bags (no additional labels).
- Tamper-evident seals with clear/transparent and white/opaque sides.
- Options for various bag/pouch sizes (vials, syringes, eye drops, nebulizers).
- Automatically paced filling with adjustable time and hands-free operation (e.g., foot pedal).
- Crucially, the system must be compatible with and use the existing Pak-Edge UD Barcode Labeling Software 2.0 (current version 2.0.604) and any subsequent updates.
- Installation and training are required.
This is a "brand name or equal" requirement, referencing the PABS-115V SX Proline Series / APB-SX-1-115 and Pak-EDGE UD Software License Version 2.0 / PE-UD2.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Market Research (Product Service Code: 6515 - Medical And Surgical Instruments, Equipment, And Supplies)
- Set-Aside: None specified for this Sources Sought; however, potential future solicitations may include set-asides for Veteran Owned Small Businesses or Small Businesses.
- Response Due: March 16, 2026, 17:00 Central Time
- Published: March 9, 2026
- Place of Performance: Minneapolis VA Health Care System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417
Submission Requirements
Interested vendors must email their information, including their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and proof of capability, to Jeffrey.Brown8@va.gov. Responses must address specific questions:
- Organization's socio-economic category.
- Manufacturer status (and authorized distributor letter if not manufacturer).
- Country of origin per FAR Provision 52.225-2(b).
- Availability on existing government contracts (e.g., FSS, GSA).
- Compliance with 13 CFR 121.406 (b)(1)(i), (b)(1)(ii), and (b)(1)(iii).
- Subcontracting plans (percentage and tasks).
- Estimated shipping and delivery information.
Additional Notes
This is for market research only; no contract will be awarded from this announcement. Failure to respond to the questions may affect the acquisition strategy. Delivery requires the VA Purchase Order Number on shipping labels/packing lists to avoid payment delays. Deliveries are accepted Monday-Friday, 7:00 am - 3:00 pm, excluding federal holidays.