Pharmaceutical Reverse Distribution Services for Expired, Short-Dated, and Hazardous Medications at VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System (VANEOHS) Pharmacy Locations

Wage Determination

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour Division, Service Contract Act Wage Determination (No. 2015-4727, Revision No. 28). It establishes minimum wage rates and fringe benefits for various occupations in the specified geographic area.

Ohio Counties of Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina.

• Minimum Wage Rates: The document lists numerous occupational codes and titles with corresponding minimum hourly wage rates. Bidders must ensure that their proposed wages meet or exceed these rates for covered employees.
• Fringe Benefits: The document indicates that fringe benefits are required and follow the occupational listing. Specific details on these benefits are not fully detailed in the provided excerpt but are referenced as being tied to the listed occupations.
• Executive Orders: The document references Executive Order (EO) 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and EO 13658 (Minimum Wage). It outlines requirements for paid sick leave (1 hour per 30 hours worked, up to 56 hours annually) and minimum wage rates (at least $13.30 per hour in 2025, adjusted annually), noting that the higher of the listed wage determination rate or the EO rate applies.
• Conformance Process: The document outlines the process for classifying and determining wage rates for occupations not explicitly listed in the wage determination, requiring a Standard Form 1444 (SF-1444) for such requests.
• Uniform Allowance: Details are provided regarding uniform costs and maintenance reimbursement for employees required to wear uniforms, with specific rates for cleaning and maintenance.
• Holidays and Vacation: Minimum requirements for paid holidays (11 per year) and paid vacation (2 weeks after 1 year, 3 weeks after 5 years, 4 weeks after 15 years) are outlined.

This wage determination is critical for any contractor bidding on a Service Contract Act-covered service contract within the specified geographic area. It dictates the minimum labor costs that must be factored into proposals to ensure compliance with federal labor laws.

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

To obtain a single Contractor to perform on-site pharmaceutical reverse distribution services for all VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System (VANEOHS) pharmacy locations. The goal is to improve efficiency, reduce local workload, and ensure regulatory compliance.

• Perform on-site reverse distribution of controlled and non-controlled pharmaceuticals.

• Process returns for maximum eligible manufacturer credit.

• Provide compliant destruction of non-returnable pharmaceuticals, including hazardous waste.

• Operate under a firm-fixed, flat-fee, per-site-visit pricing model, independent of credit value.

• Services include inventory, packaging, shipping, processing, destruction, credit tracking, and reporting.

• Contractor must be a reverse distributor for the VA's current Pharmaceutical Prime Vendor (PPV).

• Credits to be issued directly to the PPV.

• Detailed return and credit reports required within 30 calendar days of processing each return shipment.

• Provide a Certificate of Destruction for destroyed items.

• Base year plus four (4) option years.

• Services to be performed at seven VANEOHS pharmacy locations: Wade Park (Cleveland), Kent Infusion Center, Akron CBOC, Canton CBOC, Parma CBOC, and Youngstown CBOC.

• On-site services must be performed by the Contractor's employees (no subcontracted labor).

• Contractor must possess DEA Power-of-Attorney representation letters for controlled substance returns.

• Compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations (including DEA, DOT, EPA, FDA, OSHA).

• Contractor must be a licensed DEA registrant authorized to handle Schedule II-V controlled substances.

• No Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE) or Government-Furnished Information (GFI) will be provided.

Notice of Proposed Contract Action / Solicitation

This notice announces the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Northeast Ohio Healthcare System's (VANEOHS) intent to procure pharmaceutical reverse distribution services for seven VA pharmacy locations in Northeast Ohio. This is a notice for planning and publicizing purposes and is not a request for quotations or proposals at this time. The government anticipates awarding a firm-fixed-price contract.

• Comprehensive pharmaceutical reverse distribution services.

• Onsite identification and preparation of expired and short-dated pharmaceuticals.

• Return processing of controlled and non-controlled items.

• Coordination of manufacturer credits through the VA's Pharmaceutical Prime Vendor (PPV).

• Detailed credit and disposal reporting.

• Compliant destruction of non-returnable and hazardous pharmaceuticals.

• All work must comply with applicable DEA, EPA, OSHA, DOT, FDA, and VA requirements.

• Contract type: Firm-fixed-price using a flat fee per site visit (not commission-based).

• Period of Performance: One (1) base year with four (4) one-year option periods.

• Estimated Value: Greater than $25,000 but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

• Procurement Procedure: Simplified acquisition procedures per FAR Part 13.

• A draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) is attached and vendors are encouraged to review it.

• Vendors wishing to be considered for potential receipt of an RFQ must submit a brief written response by 2:00 PM Eastern Time on February 28, 2026.

• The written response must confirm capability to perform PWS tasks, DEA registrant status for controlled substances, compatibility with VA's PPV, and active SAM.gov registration.

• Generic marketing materials will not be considered.

• This requirement is not set aside for small business.

• All responsible sources may respond.

• Any vendor questions regarding the notice or draft PWS must be submitted in writing by 2:00 PM Eastern Time on February 20, 2026.

• The government may post consolidated Q&A as an amendment.

• This notice does not commit the government to award a contract or pay costs incurred in preparing a response.