Intent to Sole Source Metabolomics Analysis Services for Million Veteran Program

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To secure metabolomics analysis services to support the VA's Million Veteran Program (MVP), a national research initiative collecting genetic and health data from Veteran volunteers.

• Provide metabolomics analysis for human plasma samples derived from peripheral whole blood (EDTA).

• Receive and temporarily store up to 20,000 coded human plasma samples annually at -80 degrees Celsius.

• Perform metabolomics analysis using a Global Discovery Panel (base year) and potentially a Complex Lipids Targeted Panel (option years).

• Conduct analysis within 8-12 weeks for the initial batch of 2,880 samples, with subsequent batches processed on a 4-week cadence.

• Provide detailed reports including methods, quality control statistics, raw and scaled data, variability measures, metabolite identity, and quantification.

• Securely deliver data via VA-approved encrypted hard drives or cloud storage.

• Manage and destroy unused samples and associated data in compliance with VA policies.

• Contractor must be certified in Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) within 5 days of award.

• Submit a Project Management Plan (PMP) and a VA Sample Security and Data Security Plan within specified timeframes.

• Complete metabolomic analysis within 8-12 weeks for the initial batch and monthly thereafter.

• Deliver monthly written reports tracking sample completion, quality control, and any non-compliance issues.

• Data delivery within 8-12 weeks for the initial batch, monthly thereafter.

• Performance period: Five years, no options.

• Place of Performance: Contractor's facility located within the Continental United States.

• Contractor must demonstrate GLP certification and compliance with VA security protocols (VA Handbook 6500.6, VA Directive 6300, FISMA, HIPAA, NIST).

• Facilities must be within the U.S. jurisdiction.

• Technology must be proven for human plasma analysis and cover major biological pathways.

• Provider must have experience with large-scale measurements (>50,000 samples) and possess an extensive chemical reference library (>4000 metabolites).

• Ability to recover further biomarker assays and report verified true biochemical entities is critical.

• Sample tracking and management via barcoding is required.

• Background investigation and security clearance may be required for personnel accessing government computer systems.

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

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for metabolomics analysis services to support the VA's Million Veteran Program (MVP). The MVP aims to create a large-scale resource of genetic and health information from Veteran volunteers to advance research and improve Veteran health.

• The contractor will perform metabolomics analysis on human plasma samples provided by the VA MVP biorepository.

• Approximately 10,000 to 20,000 samples are expected annually.

• Key tasks include:

  • Developing and submitting a Project Management Plan (PMP), VA Sample Security and Data Security Plan, and Contractor Security Control Assessment.
  • Attending a virtual kick-off meeting and other necessary meetings.
  • Receiving and temporarily storing VA samples at -80 degrees Celsius.
  • Performing metabolomics analysis using a Global Discovery Panel (base year) and potentially a Complex Lipids Targeted Panel (option years).
  • Providing detailed reports, including methods, quality control statistics, raw and scaled data, measures of variability, and metabolite identification/quantification.
  • Securely delivering data via VA-approved encrypted hard drives or cloud storage.
  • Destroying unused samples and associated data at the end of the contract period per VA policy.

• Analysis to be completed within 8-12 weeks for the initial batch of 2,880 samples, with subsequent batches analyzed on a 4-week cadence.

• Monthly written reports tracking sample completion, quality control, and non-compliance issues.

• Data delivery within 8-12 weeks of initial sample batch delivery, with monthly updates thereafter.

• Contractor must be certified in Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).

• Performance period: Five years, with no options.

• Place of Performance: Contractor's facility located within the Continental United States.

• Contractor must demonstrate GLP certification within 5 days of award.

• Contractor must submit a Contractor Security Control Assessment within 30 days of award.

• Strict adherence to VA data security, privacy, and records management policies (VA Handbooks 6500.1, 6500.6, VA Directive 6300, FISMA, HIPAA, NIST).

• Samples and data are the property of the VA and must be handled confidentially and securely.

• Contractor must have experience with large-scale sample analysis and a comprehensive chemical reference library.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a Notice of Intent to award a sole source Firm Fixed Price Contract to Metabolon for metabolomics analysis services. The Department of Veterans Affairs RPO-E R&D requires services to measure over 1000 metabolites from stored blood samples.

• Provide metabolomics analyses services.

• Measure >1000 metabolites from stored blood samples.

• Performance Work Statement (PWS) is attached and outlines specific requirements.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price.

• Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs RPO-E R&D.

• This notice is NOT a request for competitive proposals or quotations.

• Interested and responsible sources must submit capability information demonstrating their ability to perform the work as per the PWS.

• Capability information is required by 10:00 AM (EST) on March 11, 2026.

• All inquiries and submittals must be sent via email to Renee Kale, Contracting Officer (renee.kale@va.gov).

• Telephone inquiries will not be accepted.

• The government will determine whether to conduct a competitive procurement based on responses received.

• This is a sole source announcement, intended for Metabolon.

• Other responsible sources may submit capability information to demonstrate their ability to meet the requirement.

• The NAICS Code is 541380 and the Product Service Code is AN12.

• The Contracting Office is Regional Procurement Office East, Pittsburgh, PA.

• A Performance Work Statement (PWS) is attached.