R602--VA Lab Courier Services - Mountain Home and Knoxville, TN
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), James H. Quillen VA Medical Center (JHQVAMC), is conducting market research through this Presolicitation Notice for Lab Courier Services. The VA seeks responses from capable contractors to determine the interest and appropriate small business set-aside for a competitive procurement. Services involve daily scheduled pickups and deliveries of laboratory specimens, supplies, equipment, and inter-office mail between the JHQVAMC in Mountain Home, TN, and various Community Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) and Rural Outreach Clinics (ROCs) in Tennessee and Virginia. Responses are due by May 18, 2026, at 11:00 AM ET.
Scope of Work
The contractor will provide daily scheduled courier services, Monday through Friday (excluding Federal Holidays), for the transport of:
- Diagnostic Laboratory Specimens: Including blood, urine, stool, sputum, cultures, cytology, body fluids, biopsies, and viral cultures. These will be packed in coolers by VA staff, sealed, and include temperature monitors. Specimens must be maintained at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius.
- Laboratory Supplies & Consumables: Items not exceeding 25 pounds.
- Laboratory Equipment: Items not exceeding 75 pounds.
- Inter-office Mail: Enclosed in a locked mail bag.
The contractor is responsible for all labor, materials, supplies, and transportation resources. Vehicles must maintain a temperature of 66-72 degrees Fahrenheit and 20-60 percent relative humidity, with logs submitted to the COR. Couriers must be trained in "Universal Precautions" for biohazard materials and comply with HIPAA and OSHA regulations. A contingency plan for inclement weather is required.
Contract & Timeline
- Opportunity Type: Presolicitation (Market Research)
- NAICS Code: 492110 (Couriers and Express Delivery Services), Small Business Size Standard: 1500 employees
- PSC Code: R602 (Support- Administrative: Courier/Messenger)
- Anticipated Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) or Requirement Contract
- Anticipated Period of Performance: Five years, from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031
- Response Due: May 18, 2026, at 11:00 AM ET
- Published Date: May 11, 2026
Submission Requirements
This is NOT a solicitation; do not send quotes. Interested parties must submit clear and convincing documentation demonstrating their capabilities via email to Sascha Hertslet (sascha.hertslet@va.gov). The email subject line must be: "RESPONSE TO PRESOLICITATION NOTICE 36C24926Q0211". Required information includes:
- Confirmation of resources to start performance by July 1, 2026, or a proposed alternative start date.
- Ability to meet the Small Business Administration's (SBA) limitations on subcontracting rule (FAR 52.219-14) if a set-aside is issued.
- Full business name, doing business as (DBA), SAM Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), business address, and primary point of contact.
- Indication if performance will be under an existing federal contract (e.g., GSA), with contract number.
- Contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).
Special Notes
The government is considering a small business set-aside. The VA will not be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this notice. Late pick-up/delivery will incur a penalty of $100.00 per occurrence if it happens more than twice in a month. Vendor personnel must complete VA Privacy Awareness Training, and a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) is required upon award.