6550--Blood Type IVD Reagents
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 VISN 22 Long Beach Network Contracting Office, is conducting market research through a Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI) for Blood Type IVD Reagents and Consumables. This effort aims to identify capable sources, particularly Small Businesses, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB), and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB), to support VISN 22 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Services (PALMS) facilities across Arizona, New Mexico, California, and Nevada. Responses are due by May 20, 2026, at 07:00 A.M. PST. This RFI is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation.
Purpose & Scope
The VA seeks to procure FDA-approved, AABB accredited, CAP accredited, and VISN 22 PALMS validated blood bank reagents for manual testing. The scope includes supplying tube antibody screening and identification cells, ABO reverse typing cells, direct antiglobulin check cells, IgG check cells, complement check cells, and various anti-sera. This is intended to be an Indefinite-Delivery-Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract for specialized red cell reagents and anti-sera, explicitly excluding equipment or instruments. No connection to VA internal networks or handling of sensitive VA information is required.
Anticipated Contract Details & Timeline
- Opportunity Type: Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI)
- Anticipated Contract Type: Indefinite-Delivery-Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ)
- Anticipated Duration: 5 years (1 base year + 4 one-year options), with the base year starting September 1, 2026.
- Set-Aside: Market research to determine potential Small Business, SDVOSB, or VOSB set-aside.
- Response Due: May 20, 2026, 07:00 A.M. PST.
- Published Date: May 5, 2026.
- Place of Performance: Multiple VA facilities within VISN 22 (AZ, NM, CA, NV).
- Product Service Code (PSC): 6550 - In Vitro Diagnostic Substances, Reagents, Test Kits And Sets
- NAICS Code: 325413 - In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing
Key Requirements & Vendor Responsibilities
Reagents and consumables must meet stringent quality standards (FDA, AABB, CAP, VISN 22 PALMS validation). The vendor must be the manufacturer of record or an authorized distributor, maintaining a factory production line and stock. Key responsibilities include:
- Ability to fill emergency supply requests.
- Reimbursement to facilities for costs related to tests sent to referral labs due to reagent issues.
- Payment of shipping fees for all consumable items, with F.O.B. destination delivery Monday-Friday, 8 am-4 pm.
- Adherence to Federal laws, regulations, and VA directives regarding information protection and patient privacy, including VA Course No. VA10176 privacy training for personnel accessing VA facilities.
- Bi-monthly supply of reagents and cells to ensure products remain within expiration dates.
- Specific supply requirements include a comprehensive range of cells for ABO back-typing, complement/IgG check cells, LISS, monoclonal controls, various anti-sera, PEG, elution kits, and antibody identification panels with at least 30 unique donor cells and DNA analysis for extended antigen typing.
Submission Instructions
Interested parties should submit written responses via email to Marcos.Diaz@va.gov. The email subject line must be "RFI: 36C26226Q0599". Responses should detail business size status (Small Business, SDVOSB, VOSB), NAICS code applicability, manufacturer/distributor status, product origin, and subcontracting plans. Pricing information is encouraged for market research purposes but will not be used for award evaluation. Companies must be registered in SAM.gov.