Q301--Cleanroom Testing - Sources Sought Notice Minneapolis VA Medical Center
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 Medical Center, has issued a Sources Sought Notice to identify qualified vendors capable of providing Cleanroom Testing services. This market research aims to gather information on industry capabilities for microbiological surface and air sample analysis, Gloved Fingertip and Thumb (GFT) testing, and Media Fill Testing (MFT) in accordance with a draft Statement of Work (SOW). Responses are due by March 24, 2026.
Scope of Work
The required services include processing microbiological surface and air samples, GFT samples, and MFT samples. The contractor must be an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory under the Environmental Microbiology Lab Accreditation Program (EMLAP) and comply with all applicable federal and local licensing boards, CAG-009-2023, and USP <797>. The contractor will provide sterile, irradiated Trypticase Soy Agar (TSA) plates. Key tasks involve incubation, analysis, identification of microorganisms to genus/species level if action levels are exceeded, and electronic reporting of results. The Minneapolis VA Health Care System (MVAHCS) personnel will collect and prepare samples.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Market Research
- Duration: The anticipated requirement is for a base year (September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2027) with four one-year option periods, totaling five years.
- Set-Aside: No definitive set-aside is specified for this Sources Sought. However, the notice mentions that future solicitations may apply VAAR 852.219-75 (for Veteran Owned Small Businesses or Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses) or FAR 52.219-14 (for Small Businesses).
- Response Due: March 24, 2026, 5:00 PM Central Time.
- Published: March 10, 2026.
- Place of Performance: Minneapolis VA Medical Center, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417.
Submission Requirements
Interested vendors must submit their contact and organization information along with a descriptive proof of capability via email to joseph.bloomer@va.gov. Responses must also include answers to specific questions regarding the organization's socio-economic category, whether services can be ordered against existing government contracts (e.g., FSS, GSA), and details on any contemplated subcontracting (percentage and tasks).
Additional Notes
This is strictly a market research announcement; no awards of a contract will be made from this notice. Failure to respond to the requested questions may affect the acquisition strategy.