Amarillo VAHCS Emergency Offsite Testing

Sources Sought Notice

This notice seeks sources capable of providing off-site STAT/Urgent laboratory testing services for the Amarillo VA Health Care System (AVAHCS) in Amarillo, Texas. The government is exploring options due to limitations in in-house testing capability, instrument downtime risk, space constraints, and the need for rapid turnaround for select assays. The intent is to establish an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for flexible, scalable STAT and Urgent laboratory testing services on an as-needed basis, with no guaranteed volume.

• Provide local off-site STAT/Urgent laboratory services/testing on an "As Needed Basis" for tests not available in-house.

• Services must be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays and weekends.

• STAT/Urgent tests must be called to the AVAHCS Laboratory within one (1) hour of sample receipt, with a faxed report to follow within 30 minutes of telephone notification.

• Critical or panic values must be called to the AVAHCS Laboratory within one (1) hour of sample receipt, with a faxed report to follow within 30 minutes of telephone notification.

• Finalize test reports and release them securely to the ordering AVAHCS laboratory digitally or as a hard copy.

• Vendor laboratories must be accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and/or The Joint Commission (TJC).

• Vendors must supply a copy of their Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments (CLIA) number and CAP and/or TJC certificate.

• Clinical Pathologists must be licensed to practice medicine in a U.S. State, Territory, or Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.

• Personnel performing testing must have appropriate certifications (CAP, JCAHO, ASCP, or AMT).

• Vendors must comply with HIPAA, Privacy Act, and other applicable confidentiality laws and VA regulations.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price per CPT test code IDIQ.

• Period of Performance: Base Year (date of award plus one year) and four (4) one-year option periods.

• Interested firms must notify the Contract Specialist no later than 1:00 PM Eastern, February 25, 2026.

• Submit product specifications, performance, and delivery information via email to Joshua Weisman at joshua.weisman@va.gov.

• This is a Sources Sought Notice for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation.

• Responses are not offers and cannot be accepted to form a binding contract.

• Vendors may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation for consideration.

• To qualify as SDVOSB and VOSB vendors, registration in the U.S. Small Business Administration database is required.

• NAICS Code: 621511.

• Attachment A lists required tests.

• Billing will be monthly in arrears through the Government E-Invoice system (OB10) www.tungsten-network.com.

• Payment is the responsibility of AVAHCS.

• C&A requirements do not apply; a Security Accreditation Package is not required.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To provide local, off-site STAT and Urgent laboratory testing services for the Amarillo VA Health Care System (AVAHCS) Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (PLMS) on an as-needed basis.

• The contractor shall provide STAT and Urgent laboratory testing services, including specimen pickup, testing, and electronic ordering and results reporting.

• Services must be available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, including weekends and federal holidays.

• The contractor must provide its full laboratory test compendium.

• Attachment A lists commonly ordered STAT and Urgent tests for pricing and evaluation purposes.

• STAT/Urgent pickup: Within 30 minutes of notification.

• Testing initiation: Within 30 minutes of pickup.

• Result availability: Within 60 minutes of testing start.

• Maximum total TAT: Within 120 minutes of VA call.

• The contractor must meet these TAT requirements for at least 85% of STAT/Urgent tests per monthly reporting period.

• Critical/panic values must be communicated immediately upon verification, and no later than 30 minutes after result availability.

• Period of Performance: August 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027 (Base Year), with four one-year options through July 31, 2031.

• Place of Performance: Contractor's laboratory facility or approved referral laboratory. Specimen origination site is the Thomas E. Creek Amarillo VA Health Care System.

• Contract Type: Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) with Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) unit pricing.

• No minimum quantity is guaranteed.

• Courier services must comply with OSHA bloodborne pathogen standards.

• Contractor must provide a secure, web-based electronic ordering and results reporting system.

• Personnel must comply with VA security protocols, including background checks.

• Contractor must maintain CLIA certification and CAP and/or Joint Commission accreditation.

• Compliance with FDA, AABB, OSHA, and relevant VA policies is required.

• Billing and invoicing must be submitted electronically via the Tungsten website.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment A - Required Testing and Volume," provides an estimated volume of specific laboratory tests required per contract period. It serves as a reference for potential bidders to understand the anticipated workload and scope of services related to medical testing.

• CPT Codes: Unique identifiers for various laboratory tests.
• Test Names: Descriptive names for each laboratory test (e.g., BASIC METABOLIC PANEL, LIPID PROFILE, HEMOGLOBIN).
• Estimated Volume: The estimated quantity of each test to be performed per contract period.
• Unit of Measure: Typically "EA" (Each).
• Special Note: Includes an entry for "Other Tests as Needed (On Compendium)" with a volume of 1 and "N/A" for the unit, indicating flexibility for unlisted tests.

This attachment is crucial for bidders to:

• Assess their capacity and capability to perform the listed tests.
• Estimate resource requirements, including personnel, equipment, and consumables.
• Develop accurate pricing and proposals based on projected volumes.
• Understand the breadth of laboratory services expected under the contract.