Healthcare IT support for Extract Lab Management System (ELMS)

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides consolidated industry questions and answers related to Solicitation W81K0426QA022 for x1 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) IT Healthcare Support, Extract Lab Management System (ELMS) Enhancement and Upgrades for the United States Army Centralized Allergen Extract Laboratory (USACAEL) at Fort Meade, MD.

• Incumbent: Yes, there is a current incumbent. This is a follow-on purchase order to W91YTZ22P0088, which expires on February 14, 2026.
• FTE and PM Support: Overall price is inclusive of the Scope of Work and CLIN Price Matrix. PM support is considered minimal and included in the overall price.
• Past Performance (PPQ): Past performance of proposed resources may be used to satisfy PPQ requirements if the agency/company lacks directly applicable past performance. Refer to Addendum to 52.212-2 for detailed guidance on past performance submittals, including the requirement for up to five references and the Performance Confidence Assessment (PCA) rating. Previously completed PPQs may be submitted.
• Set-Aside: The action is set aside 100% for Small Business, with the expectation of obtaining offers from at least two responsible small business concerns.
• Proposal Page Limits: The Technical Plan is limited to 5 pages. Cover Letters, Executive Summaries, and Table of Content are allowed and do not count towards the page limit.
• Resume Requirement: Resumes are not required for the proposed FTE; the Awardee is responsible for vetting FTEs for required skills.
• Project Manager Qualifications: The Awardee is responsible for vetting Project Managers for skills to meet PWS demands. A blend of education, experience, and project management skills is required.
• Response Deadline: The solicitation was published on January 16, 2026, with offers due on January 28, 2026 (a 12-day period).
• Font: Arial 12 Font is recommended for responses.

Clarifications address proposal content, submission requirements, and evaluation factors, particularly regarding past performance and small business set-aside. The response deadline remains as stated.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Excel spreadsheet containing a CLIN Price Matrix for the Extract Lab Management Services (ELMS) opportunity. It details the pricing structure for the base year and option years.

• CLINs (Contract Line Item Numbers): 0001 (Base Year), 1001 (Option Year 1), 2001 (Option Year 2), 3001 (Option Year 3), and 52-217-8 (6-Month Option to Extend Services).
• Supplies / Service: All CLINs cover "x1 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE), IT Healthcare Support, Extract Lab Management Services (ELMS) Lab / Maintenance Services." This includes maintenance, support, system enhancements, updates/upgrades, and onsite training for the ELMS web-based application.
• Quantity: Specified in Months (12 months for base and option years 1-3, 6 months for the extension option).
• Period of Performance: Ranges from February 15, 2026, through August 14, 2030, depending on the CLIN.
• Pricing Arrangement: Firm Fixed Price for all CLINs.

This pricing matrix is crucial for bidders to understand the cost structure and expected pricing for the services required over the potential contract period. Bidders should use this as a template for developing their own pricing proposals, ensuring alignment with the specified CLINs, services, and performance periods.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Past Performance Questionnaire intended to gather feedback from references regarding an offeror's performance on previous contracts. It is used to validate past performance as part of a government evaluation process.

• Respondent Information: Details about the contracting activity and point of contact.
• Offeror's Reference Information: Details about the contractor being evaluated.
• Contract Information: Specifics of the contract being referenced, including number, type, performance period, and description of services.
• Market Segment: Categories such as Ancillary Services, Dental Services, Nursing Services, Physician Services.
• Magnitude: Annual and Total Contract Value.
• Complexity: Number of FTEs, Credentialed FTEs, Privileged FTEs, Facility Type, and the contractor's role (Prime, Subcontractor, Teaming Partner, Joint Venture).
• Performance Assessment: A rating scale (Exceptional, Very Good, Satisfactory, Marginal, Unsatisfactory, Not Applicable) for various performance areas including Quality of Service, Schedule, Management (Turnover Rate, Replenishment Rate).
• Performance Summary: Questions regarding whether the respondent would award the firm another contract and if the contract was terminated for default or cause.
• Additional Comments: Space for further remarks.

Bidders should ensure their references are prepared to complete this questionnaire accurately and promptly. The responses directly impact the evaluation of the bidder's past performance, which is a critical factor in contract awards. Understanding the questions asked will help bidders prepare their references and potentially identify areas where their past performance may need further explanation or context in their proposals.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Past Performance Summary Sheet" that bidders must complete for each past performance reference submitted in response to the solicitation. It is intended to collect detailed information about the bidder's previous project experience.

• Company Information: Company Name and CAGE, Sub or Prime status.
• Contract Details: Contract Number (Task Order number for IDIQs, not basic contract numbers), Period of Performance.
• Point of Contact (POC): Current email and phone numbers for at least one, preferably two POCs (contracting office and end user/customer).
• Description of Effort: Labor categories, location of services, and number of Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) performed.
• Contract Award Amount: Base year and each option year amount.
• Project Status: Identification of performance reporting status, years completed, and any terminations or modifications for scope change.

Bidders must use one "Past Performance Summary Sheet" per project, limiting each to three pages. This form is crucial for demonstrating relevant past performance, which is often a significant evaluation factor in government solicitations. Accurate and complete submission of this form is essential for a compliant and competitive proposal.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation seeks IT Healthcare Support services for the United States Army Centralized Allergen Extract Laboratory (USACAEL) at Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center, Ft Meade, Maryland. The primary goal is to provide maintenance, cybersecurity upgrades, and enhancements for the web-enabled Extract Lab Management System (ELMS), which supports the DoD Tri-Service and VA mission for ordering, processing, and disseminating allergen vaccine diagnostic testing and patient treatment biologicals.

• Provide one (1) full-time equivalent (FTE) IT Healthcare Support, computer software specialty technician.

• Perform continued maintenance, cybersecurity upgrades, certification/compliance (eMASS) renewals, modifications, and enhancements to the web-enabled ELMS.

• Include technical project management, requirements analysis, design, development, implementation, and quality assurance.

• Support the enterprise-wide compliance with allergy immunotherapy practice parameters.

• Maintain high system operational availability and responsiveness.

• Provide role-based controlled access using DOD CAC or VA PIV.

• Upgrade ELMS to .NET Core version 8 (or latest supported version) in phases.

• Provide program management, technical support, and ELMS programmatic leadership.

• Coordinate and transition activities with the incumbent contractor.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price

• Period of Performance: 15 February 2026 - 14 February 2030 (Base year + three 1-year option periods).

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but the size standard for NAICS Code 541512 is $34M.

• Response Date: Wednesday, 28 January 2026, at 4:00 PM EST.

• Submission Method: Electronic quotes via email.

• Evaluation Factors: Technical Capability (Acceptable/Unacceptable), Past Performance (significantly more important than price), and Price.

• Basis of Award: Best Value tradeoff process.

• Key Deadlines: Questions due by Wednesday, 21 January 2026, at 1:00 PM EST.

• Set-Aside: 100% Small Business.

• Attachments referenced include: Attachment A (CLIN/SLIN structure price matrix and PWS), Attachment B (Past Performance Questionnaire), and Attachment C (Past Performance Summary Sheet).

• Contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).