G002--Minneapolis VA Health Care System Catholic Services 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 (MVAHCS), is conducting a Sources Sought for Catholic Chaplain Services. This is a market research effort to identify capable vendors for providing on-site Roman Catholic religious services. Responses are due March 13, 2026.
Scope of Work (Draft SOW)
The contractor shall provide Roman Catholic religious services on-site at MVAHCS. Key responsibilities include:
- Providing a qualified Priest for 3 hours daily (when no Catholic staff chaplain is scheduled) for patient visitation, leading Mass, appointments, and communication with the chaplaincy team.
- Offering pastoral counseling, documenting patient visits in the Electronic Health Record (EHR), and administering requested sacraments (Anointing of the Sick, Confession, Holy Eucharist).
- Conducting Sunday morning Mass, major Catholic holy days, and liturgical observances, along with up to four weekday Masses per week.
- Being available for emergency call-back hours, reporting to the facility within one hour if on call.
- Maintaining schedules for Masses and priest assignments, ensuring proper upkeep of Catholic supplies (hosts, wine, candles, vestments), and advising on Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.
- Collaborating with professional staff and completing VA-mandated training (e.g., Fire Safety, HIPAA) and EHR charting.
Required Qualifications
Personnel must be an ordained Catholic priest, possess endorsement from a military archdiocese (or proof of ability to administer valid sacraments according to the Roman rite), and reside within a one-hour commuting distance of MVAHCS when on call.
Submission Requirements
Interested vendors capable of performing the described work should email their contact and organization information, along with a descriptive proof of capability, to Jeffrey.Brown8@va.gov. Additionally, responses must include answers to the following questions:
- Organization's socio-economic category.
- Whether services can be ordered against an existing government contract (e.g., FSS, GSA).
- If subcontracting is contemplated, the percentage of work to be subcontracted and for what tasks.
Additional Information
This is solely for market research purposes; no contract award will be made from this announcement. If a solicitation is issued, clauses such as VAAR 852.219-75 or FAR 52.219-14 may apply depending on any set-aside. Contractor personnel will be subject to a Low Risk (NACI) background investigation and must meet VA security requirements.
Key Dates
- Published Date: March 4, 2026
- Response Due Date: March 13, 2026, 5:00 PM Central Time