Q301--Gene Expression Profile (GEP) As Needed Testing One Year | 05/01/2026-04/30/2027 Lebanon VA Medical Center Castle Bioscience Brand Name or Equivalent
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), Network Contracting Office 4 (NCO 04), is conducting market research through a Sources Sought notice to identify potential sources for Gene Expression Profile (GEP) testing services. These services, including laboratory analysis and reporting, are required on an as-needed basis to determine the risk of metastasis in cutaneous melanoma patients for the Lebanon VA Medical Center. This is for informational and planning purposes only; it is not a request for quote or a solicitation. Responses are due by 4:00 PM, Monday, March 9, 2026.
Scope of Work
The vendor shall provide all resources for GEP testing services, specifically brand-name-or-equivalent to Castle Biosciences' genomic profiling test menu (e.g., Decision Dx- Melanoma, myPath Melanoma, Decision Dx- SCC). Key requirements include:
- Methodology: Validated, 31-gene expression profile (GEP) assay using FFPE primary tumor tissue.
- Prognostic Accuracy: Must independently predict metastasis/recurrence risk.
- Risk Stratification: Classify tumors into specific, validated risk groups.
- Clinical Evidence: Supported by peer-reviewed, published, multicenter clinical studies.
- Sample Type: Capable of testing from primary, archival FFPE tumor tissue.
- Turnaround Time: Results delivered within 1-2 weeks of sample accessioning.
- Laboratory Certification: CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited laboratory.
- Contractor Responsibilities: Provide specimen handling instructions, a Laboratory User's Manual, transport samples, analyze samples, provide communication for status inquiries, consult on urgent results, invoice via Tungsten, and notify of testing errors.
- Reporting: Detailed reports including patient, physician, specimen, and test result information.
Contract & Timeline
- Opportunity Type: Sources Sought (Market Research)
- Period of Performance: May 1, 2026 – April 30, 2027
- Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (SBA)
- NAICS Code: 621511 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing / Pharmaceutical Preparation and Manufacturing) with a $42M size standard.
- Response Due: March 9, 2026, by 4:00 PM EST
- Published Date: March 3, 2026
Submission & Eligibility
Interested companies must submit a capability statement detailing their firm's capabilities, experience, and knowledge in providing these services. Required information includes company details (name, address, UEI, NAICS, POC), business size/type (SDVOSB, VOSB, 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDB, Small Business, Large Business), ability to meet services, and government contracts for similar services in the last 3 years. Vendors must be registered in SAM.gov, and SDVOSBs/VOSBs must be registered in VetCert.
Submissions should be sent electronically to Christa Stine, Contract Specialist, at christa.stine@va.gov.
Important Considerations
- A Business Associate Agreement (BAA) will be required due to the handling of Protected Health Information (PHI).
- Strict information security and privacy requirements apply, including data protection, encryption, access controls, and incident reporting, in accordance with VA directives and federal regulations.