Q517--WSNC - Pharmacy Contingency Program Base Plus Four

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

To provide outsourced pharmacy benefit management (PBM), first fill of initial prescriptions, compounded sterile or non-sterile products, and vaccines for Veterans seen by a VA provider or authorized healthcare provider.

• Provide Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) services.

• Fill an initial supply of prescriptions for eligible Veterans.

• Provide seasonal and non-seasonal vaccines, including those for travel abroad.

• Offer medication counseling by a Pharmacist consistent with OBRA-90.

• Adhere to the VA National Formulary.

• Services anticipated across VISNs 17, 19, 20, 21, and 22.

• Services include Brand Name Prescriptions (Discount from AWP), Generic Prescriptions (Discount from AWP), Vaccination Vaccine and Administering, Generic Prescription Specialty Compound Medication, Brand Name Prescription Specialty Compound, and Compounded sterile or non-sterile products.

• Contractor must have established policies and procedures for vetting and selecting pharmacies.

• Contractor must obtain and maintain all necessary licenses and certifications.

• Contractor must have an established third-party prescription payer/administrator.

• Contractor must report all adverse drug events to the COR and CO.

• Contractor must follow standard policy for recalls and notification of affected Veterans.

• Contractor must maintain a documentation system for product traceability and lot number recordings.

• Contractor shall provide monthly reports detailing prescription fill activity, drug cost, therapeutic breakdown, top drugs, and dollar claims per site.

• Contractor shall ensure licensed pharmacists are within a 5-mile radius of main Medical Center campus, CBOCs, OPC, or Veterans’ location unless approved otherwise.

• Pharmacies must provide service during core hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm local time.

• Contractor must have a procedure to resolve conflicts with pharmacies.

• Pharmacists must collect, synthesize, and interpret prescription and disease data.

• Pharmacists must check for actual and potential drug-related problems.

• Pharmacists must resolve drug-related problems with prescribers and Veterans.

• Pharmacists must offer counseling consistent with OBRA 1990 requirements.

• Pharmacists must be available to answer drug-related questions after prescription fill.

• Prescriptions must be filled and dispensed within two hours of authorization by a Pharmacist.

• All compounded sterile preparations (CSPs) must comply with USP standards, VHA PBM Guidance, and FDA 503A/503B regulations.

• No refills of oral prescriptions; only NEW PRESCRIPTIONS will be filled.

• Prescriptions must be filled only for drugs on the VA national formulary.

• Generic drugs will be dispensed unless on the VA DRUG STANDARDIZATION LIST.

• Invoiced price shall not exceed the price charged to the general public or the contractor's lowest third-party reimbursement plan.

• No co-pay to the Veteran.

• Services anticipated across five VISNs (17, 19, 20, 21, and 22).

• Pharmacy locations must be within a five-mile radius of the respective CBOC, OPC, or Veterans’ location.

• Eligible beneficiaries are Veterans enrolled in VA health care.

• Veterans must present a completed vendor-developed “pharmacy certificate” along with the prescription.

• Contractor personnel must comply with HIPAA and maintain patient confidentiality.

• Contractor must have an established policy for vetting and selecting pharmacies.

• Contractor must comply with VA Accelerated Access Initiatives and Community Care Network (CCN) mission act, VA Vaccination guidelines, regulations, and Sections 503A and 503B of the FD&C Act.

• Contractor shall report all adverse drug events.

• Contractor shall communicate with the VA via secure e-mail messaging.

• Contractor may create a separate voucher for telehealth services.

• Contractor shall support emergency disaster activations, potentially including refills with CO authorization.

• Clinical or other medical records of VA beneficiaries remain the property of the VA.

• VA may randomly audit services, books, records, and invoices.

Sources Sought Notice

This notice is a market research effort by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Network Contracting Office 20 (NCO 20) on behalf of the Western States Network Consortium (WSNC). The WSNC includes VISN's 17, 19, 20, 21, and 22, covering a broad geographic area across multiple states and territories. The VA is seeking information on potential contractors capable of providing pharmacy contingency services.

Interested parties must submit a capabilities statement that includes:

• Business name, address, point of contact, phone number, and email address.

• Business size designation, type, and SAM Unique Identifier Number.

• Affirmation of capability to perform according to the attached Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS).

• Affirmation of capability to comply with Limitations on Subcontracting for their business size designation (if applicable).

• Copies of government licenses appropriate for the work described in the Draft PWS, specifically referencing sections 3.4, 4.0, and 5.2.

• Identification of specific locations within the WSNC catchment area that the vendor can service with existing capabilities.

• Capabilities statements must be submitted via email to Darien Justice (darien.justice@va.gov).

• The deadline for submission is February 13th, 2026, at 10:00 AM PST.

• All questions must be submitted via email; no telephonic inquiries will be accepted.

• The government is particularly interested in identifying qualified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB)/Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB).

• Responses will help determine the appropriate acquisition strategy, which may include a set-aside.

• This is a sources-sought notice only, not a solicitation or request for quotes.

• There is no solicitation available at this time.

• Vendors are encouraged to provide feedback on the attached Requirements Description.

• A Draft Performance Work Statement is attached.