6505--Diltiazem SA Capsules (AB3)

The Department of Veterans Affairs, through the Nac Pharmaceuticals office in Hines, Illinois, is soliciting offers under solicitation number 36E79726R0022 for the supply of Diltiazem extended-release capsules in various strengths—120mg, 180mg, 240mg, 300mg, and 360mg—each packaged in 90-count bottles with unit-of-use labeling. This contract, issued in commercial item format under FAR Part 12 using Standard Form 1449, establishes a five-year ordering period with a base year and four one-year option periods, subject to unilateral government exercise. The estimated annual quantities for each strength remain constant across all years, totaling over 130,000 bottles annually across all line items, with pricing required to include a 0.5% Cost Recovery Fee and capped at the Federal Ceiling Price plus that fee for covered drugs. All products must be FDA-approved, manufactured under current Good Manufacturing Practices, and identified by a unique NDC number specific to the offeror. Packaging must meet stringent specifications including a 120cc cylindrical bottle with a minimum 5.75-inch circumference, a safety-cap that can be converted to a non-safety cap, and labeling space for a 5.25” x 2” label plus 0.5” for bar code, lot number, and expiration date. Each bottle must be compatible with automated dispensing systems such as Opti-fill and Baxter ATC Canisters. All pharmaceuticals must include bar code labeling on the immediate container and external packaging, conforming to GS1-128, HIBCC HIBC, or UPC standards that encode the full NDC, printed at ANSI/ISO/IEC Quality Grade C or higher, with specific requirements for blister packs and ladder orientation to avoid curvature issues. Proposals are evaluated using a lowest price technically acceptable approach, where non-cost factors—including past performance, technical compliance, regulatory certifications, and adherence to packaging and bar coding standards—serve as pass/fail gates. The Government reserves the right to refuse awards if option prices are unbalanced, and evaluation is based on aggregating base and option year prices multiplied by estimated quantities. Offerors must maintain current SAM registration, include UEI, DUNS, and TIN identifiers, and submit a signed SF-1449 with all required representations such as FAR 52.20