Pharmacy Reverse Distribution Service

Sources Sought Notice

This notice is NOT a solicitation but a Sources Sought to identify potential Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEEs) and Indian Economic Enterprises (IEE) capable of performing a pharmaceutical reverse distribution services requirement for the Indian Health Service (IHS). The IHS intends to use the Buy Indian Act authority to provide preference to IEEs.

• NAICS: 562211 – Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal
• PSC: 6505 - Drugs and Biologicals
• Size Standard: $47.0 Million
• Duration: Base Year plus Four Option Years
• Services: On-site pharmaceutical reverse distribution, including inventory of expired/soon-to-expire medications, secure handling of controlled substances, packaging, transportation, and processing of manufacturer/wholesaler credits. Services must comply with federal, state, and local laws, IHS Manual, DEA regulations, and the Controlled Substances Act.
• Locations: Services are required at various IHS pharmacy locations across multiple Service Units (e.g., Blackfeet, Crow, Fort Belknap, Fort Peck, Northern Cheyenne).

Respondents must demonstrate:

• Registration with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

• Experience in providing reverse distribution services to healthcare facilities.

• How the company meets the definition of an Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE), including:

  • At least 51% ownership by Indians, Federally Recognized Indian Tribes, or Alaska Native Corporations.
  • Receiving at least 51% of the earnings from the contract.
  • Management and daily business operations controlled by one or more individuals who are Indians.

• If partnering, how the combined entity will meet the 51% ownership and earnings requirements and Indian control.

• Email: Teri.Kittson@ihs.gov

• Deadline: June 8, 2026, by 3:00 pm MST

• Include: Capability statement, Buy Indian Act Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form.

• Subject Line: Include Sources Sought ID: SS-75H70926BAO_055.

Responses will help determine the acquisition strategy. Generic capability statements are insufficient. Failure to address the specific IEE requirements may exclude a firm from consideration.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To provide pharmaceutical reverse distribution services for the Billings Area Indian Health Service (IHS) pharmacy programs, facilitating the removal and return of expired and soon-to-expire pharmaceutical products for eligible credit.

• Provide on-site inventory of expired and soon-to-expire medications.

• Securely handle and segregate controlled and non-controlled substances.

• Package, transport, and return eligible pharmaceuticals.

• Process manufacturer or wholesaler credits.

• Services to be performed three (3) times per year at designated IHS pharmacy locations.

• Contractor must be a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-registered reverse distributor.

• Maintain strict chain-of-custody procedures for controlled substances.

• Apply returns credit to pharmacy prime vendor account within 120 days of return.

• Provide complete and accurate documentation for each visit, including detailed inventory reports and DEA Form 222 for controlled substances, as required.

• Reconcile controlled substances transferred to the reverse distributor.

• Base Period: June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027

• Option Years: Through May 31, 2031

• Locations include facilities within the Blackfeet, Crow, Fort Belknap, Fort Peck, and Northern Cheyenne Service Units.

• Contractor is responsible for all travel, lodging, per diem, fringe benefits, and taxes.

• Government will not furnish equipment, materials, or supplies.

• Contractor must comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies, including IHS Manual Section 3-7.6C, DEA regulations, and the Controlled Substances Act.

• Invoices to be submitted through the Invoicing Processing Platform (IPP).

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the "Indian Health Service Buy Indian Act Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form." It requires offerors to self-certify their status as an "Indian Economic Enterprise" in accordance with 25 U.S.C. 47 and HHSAR 326.601. This certification is necessary for responding to Sources Sought Notices, Requests for Information (RFIs), or solicitations and resultant contracts under the Buy Indian Act.

• Offerors must confirm whether they meet the definition of an "Indian Economic Enterprise" with "Indian Ownership."
• The enterprise must meet this definition at the time of offer, award, and throughout the contract performance period.
• False or misleading information is subject to legal penalties.
• Offerors must provide the name of a Federally Recognized Tribal Entity, the name of the 51% owner of the IEE Firm, their Business Name, UEI SAM Number, and a Certifying Signature with printed name.

This form is critical for any bidder seeking to qualify for contracts or set-asides under the Buy Indian Act. Bidders must accurately complete this representation to affirm their eligibility. Failure to meet the definition or provide accurate information can lead to disqualification or penalties. Offerors are also reminded that successful offerors must be registered with the System of Award Management (SAM).