6650--VISN 8 Whole Blood Glucose Monitoring

Statement of Need

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VISN 08) requires a comprehensive blood glucose monitoring system for inpatient settings across multiple facilities.

This requirement includes:

• Glucose meters for all Community Based Outpatient Clinics and VISN 08 inpatient facilities.

• Disposable test strips.

• Associated control solutions, linearity solutions, carrying cases, docking/downloading stations, and a data management program.

• Rental of equipment, with the cost of rental included in the price of strips.

• Installation, connection, and integration of systems.

• Preventative maintenance and service.

• On-site or over-the-phone training.

• Standard shipping of supplies.

• A five (5) year Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) is intended.

• Ordering of supplies includes standard delivery time of 5-7 business days, FOB destination.

• Emergency repairs with 24-hour phone support, 7 days a week, are required.

• Estimated Annual Quantities for all sites in VISN 08:

  • Glucose Inpatient Meters: 1,058
  • Glucose Inpatient Strips: 2,018,775
  • Glucose & Ketone Calibration Assessment Kit Linearity Kits: 60
  • Medisense Bilevel Controls w/Ketones: 465
  • Docking stations: 748
  • Data Repeater: 517
  • Lantronix Terminal Server: 202
  • System Database connection (UniPoc/RALS annual support): 6 UniPoc, 1 RALS

• Specific locations and estimated strip quantities are detailed in the document.

Inpatient Meters:

• Scanning capability (armbands, controls, strips) with manual entry backup.
• Sturdy, ergonomic design for ease of use.
• Positive patient identification safeguards.
• Memory for at least 1000 results (date, time, patient ID).
• Sample requirement of 10 µl or smaller.
• Results available within 5 seconds.
• Clear, concise instructions in plain English.
• Backlit operation.
• Lockout features for invalid operators, failed QC, or expired strips.
• End fill/top fill sample application with fill trigger electrode.
• Minimal or absent interfering substances; strips unaffected by non-glucose sugars.
• Correlation to main laboratory method with specific accuracy tolerances (±12 mg/dL or ±12.5%).
• Results in mg/dL units.
• Capability for user-configurable comments for critical results.
• Ability to clear patient data before return.
• Easy disinfection with facility-approved wipes.
• Sturdy carrying case.
• Individually foiled wrapped test strips.
• Powered by AA batteries.
• Replaceable components (e.g., test strip port).
• Compatibility with Unipoc and RALS database systems.

System Requirements:

• Flexible, bi-directional HL7 interface via VISTA POC interface; future Cerner Millennium compatibility.

• Sturdy connectivity hardware (docking stations) for counter or wall mounting, provided at no charge.

• Software to capture errors, prevent compromised data, and alert laboratory to deviant results.

• Software allowing data export to spreadsheet formats (e.g., Excel).

• On-site support for operator training and validation studies (precision, method comparison, accuracy, linearity, calibration verification).

• Supplies must be readily available with a shelf life of at least 12 months.

• Quantities of a single lot available for minimum shipment of 180,000 strips.

• Individually wrapped, easy-open strip packaging.

• Additional meters and docking stations provided free of charge.

• Free and readily available meter carrying case replacement.

• CLSI approved procedures provided.

• Standing order of the same lot number for strips sequestered for at least six (6) months.

• Replacement meters must be free of charge and readily available.

• Specific procedures for meters unable to be returned.

• On-site support for operator training and validation studies.

• Offeror to provide a specific training plan and competency assessment document.

• 24/7 customer support.

• All FDA-approved updates and upgrades provided at no charge.

• Designated point of contact for orders.

• Delivery frequency determined by individual facilities.

• Orders delivered to specified service addresses.

• Orders placed via EDI, FAX, paper, or oral communications.

• The Government estimates, but does not guarantee, purchase volumes.

• This BPA does not obligate funds; obligation is only to the extent of authorized purchases.

• The list of participating facilities in VISN 08 is provided.

Sources Sought

This Sources Sought (SS) notice is for market research to identify potential sources for the procurement and implementation of Glucose Meter supplies and related equipment. The requirement is for all Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) locations within Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 08. The Government is seeking information on the availability and capability of qualified businesses to provide a blood glucose monitoring system for inpatient settings, including meters, disposable test strips, control solutions, linearity solutions, carrying cases, docking stations, and data management programs.

• Procurement and implementation of Glucose Meter supplies.

• Rental of equipment.

• Whole blood glucose strips.

• QC controls, calibrators, and linearity reagents.

• Blood glucose monitoring system for inpatient settings.

• Meters for Community Based Outpatient Clinics and VISN 08 inpatient facilities.

• Disposable test strips.

• Associated control solutions, linearity solutions.

• Carrying case, docking/downloading station, and data management program.

• Anticipated Period of Performance: July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031 (base period plus four annual options).

• This is for market research and planning purposes only. Responses cannot be accepted as offers.

• Interested parties must submit the following:

  1. Company name and address.
  2. Primary point of contact (phone and email).
  3. Federal Supply Schedule (FSS), if available.
  4. Applicable socioeconomic categories and demonstration of capability.
  5. Brief descriptions of recent and relevant projects (1-page maximum).
  6. Business size and applicable NAICS code (325413).
  7. Product and Service Code (6650).

• Responses are due no later than March 31, 2026, at 3:00 PM Eastern Time.

• Point of Contact: Paul Jarret via email at paul.jarrett@va.gov.

• Information is sought from Large Businesses, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, Small Businesses, Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, HUBZone 8(a), Women-Owned Small Businesses, or Small Disadvantaged Business concerns.

• Responses will assist in determining the availability of businesses for a potential socio-economic set-aside.

• The Government may intend to make this a sole source award if potential vendors cannot be identified.

• This notice does not commit the Government to procure these items or issue a solicitation.

• The Government is not obligated to pay for information submitted.

• Clearly mark any proprietary information.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a solicitation for VISN 8 Whole Blood Glucose Monitoring supplies and equipment rental. The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 8 (NCO 8), is seeking vendors to provide glucose meter supplies, rental of equipment, whole blood glucose strips, QC controls, calibrators, and linearity reagents.

• Glucose Meter supplies

• Rental of equipment

• Whole blood glucose strips

• QC controls

• Calibrators

• Linearity reagents

• Solicitation Number: 36C24826Q0560

• Product Service Code: 6650

• NAICS Code: 325413

• Contracting Office Address: Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 8 (NCO 8), 8875 Hidden River Pkwy Ste 160A, Tampa FL 33637

• Response Date/Time/Zone: 04-16-2026 15:00 EASTERN TIME, NEW YORK, USA

• Not specified in the provided text.

• Point of Contact: Paul Jarret, Contracting Officer, paul.jarrett@va.gov, 813-436-6517

• Agency URL: https://www.va.gov/

• Additional Documents Referenced: Sources Sought, Statement Of Need Draft.