VA Palo Alto Autopsy Services

Amendment / Modification

• The solicitation closing date has been extended to May 21, 2026, at 10 AM PDT.

• Paragraph 2.2.5 has been updated to clarify autopsy reporting timelines:

  • Preliminary anatomical diagnosis: within three (3) business days.
  • Final autopsy diagnosis report: within sixty (60) business days.
  • Both preliminary and final reports should be faxed to the VAPAHCS Laboratory Director and originals mailed to the Chief, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service at the specified VAMC address. Mailed documents require a tracking number.

• Clarification regarding transportation of deceased patients: The VAMC will provide the Contractor with the name and address of the funeral home. The pickup and return of the decedent will be to VA Palo Alto, and not directly to a funeral home.

• Solicitation closing date

• Section 2.2.5 (Autopsy reporting timelines and procedures)

• Section 6.1.3.2 (Transport of deceased patients)

• Proposal submission deadline extended to May 21, 2026, 10 AM PDT.

• Bidders should ensure their proposals reflect the updated autopsy reporting timelines and transportation procedures.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for Autopsy Services for the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. The contract is for a base year plus four option years. The services are non-personnel services, meaning the government will not exercise supervision or control over the contractor's service providers.

• Provide accredited Pathology Physician Services off-site.

• Perform anatomical autopsy services in accordance with specifications.

• Physicians must be board certified in Anatomic Pathology or Forensic Pathology.

• Autopsies must be performed at a facility accredited by CAP, NAME, or an equivalent agency.

• Services must meet or exceed The Joint Commission (TJC) standards.

• Services to be provided within 50 miles of VAPAHCS.

• Specific types of autopsies include: Gross and Microscopic Examination (with/without brain/central nervous system), Limited Gross and Microscopic Examination (regional), and Necropsy (Autopsy) Limited to Specified Organs.

• Special registry autopsy protocols may apply for specific veteran groups (e.g., POW, Agent Orange, etc.).

• Collection and submission of additional wet tissue, slides, and blocks for the Joint Pathology Center (JPC).

• Preliminary anatomical diagnosis within 3 business days; full autopsy report within 60 business days.

• Maintain medical records and ensure compliance with HIPAA and other privacy laws.

• Provide adequate space for storage of autopsy-related materials.

• Contract Type: Base year plus four option years.

• Period of Performance: Base year begins 06/01/2026 and ends 05/31/2027. Option years extend through 05/31/2031.

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but NAICS code 621511 has a size standard of $41.5 Million.

• Quotes must be submitted electronically via email to cynthia.diezel@va.gov.

• Email attachments must be readable (MS Office or Adobe PDF) and limited to 5 MB per email.

• Offerors must be registered in SAM and have a Unique Entity ID.

• Questions must be emailed to cynthia.diezel@va.gov no later than seven (7) business days prior to the quote due date.

• Quotes should be submitted in four volumes: Technical, Past Performance, SDVOSB/VOSB Status, and Price.

• Evaluation will be based on Technical Factors (Experience/Candidates), Past Performance, SDVOSB/VOSB Status, and Price.

• The government will award to the responsible offeror whose quote is most advantageous, considering price and other factors.

• The government reserves the right to consider quotes offering more than the minimum requirements.

• The government intends to establish a contract without discussions; offerors are encouraged to submit their best quote initially.

• The acquisition is listed as UNRESTRICTED.

• NAICS Code: 621511 (Medical Laboratories)

• Size Standard: $41.5 Million

• The solicitation incorporates FAR clauses by reference, including 52.212-1, 52.212-3, and 52.212-5.

• Payment will be made via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to the System for Award Management (SAM).

• Invoices will be submitted monthly in arrears via the Tungsten network.

• Offerors must provide a statement regarding Organizational Conflicts of Interest.

• Offerors must comply with citizenship-related requirements and review the HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities.

• Contractor personnel require background investigations commensurate with risk and sensitivity levels (Non-Sensitive Positions - Tier 1/Low Risk for this contract).

• Personal Identification Verification (PIV) cards will be provided for access to VA facilities and data.

Other / Unclassified

This document is VHA Directive 1660.03, "Conflict of Interest for Sharing of Health Care Resources," dated September 13, 2021. It establishes mandatory procedures and responsibilities for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees to avoid prohibited conflicts of interest (COI) when involved in contracting for health care resources (HCR).

While this document does not directly solicit bids, it is highly relevant for potential bidders who are VA employees or affiliated with entities that contract with the VA for health care resources. It outlines:

• Definition of Conflicts of Interest: Clarifies what constitutes a criminal COI and how it applies to VA employees involved in HCR procurements.
• Prohibited Activities: Lists specific actions VA employees with financial interests or relationships are prohibited from undertaking (e.g., drafting specifications, negotiating, evaluating proposals, selecting contractors).
• Permitted Activities: Details specific actions VA employees may still perform under certain conditions.
• Responsibilities: Assigns responsibilities for ensuring compliance across various levels of the VHA and VA.
• Guidance and Contact Information: Provides information on seeking advice from ethics officials and outlines training requirements.

Understanding these COI rules is crucial for both VA employees involved in the procurement process and for external entities that may interact with them, as it impacts the integrity and fairness of the contracting process.