6515--Radiopharmaceuticals

The Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded a four-month emergency bridge contract, effective June 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026, to RLS USA, Inc., for the supply of radiopharmaceuticals to support the Nuclear Medicine Program at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System in New Orleans, Louisiana. The contract, valued at $839,629.00 and identified by solicitation number 36C256-26-AP-3509 and award number 36C25626P0728, was awarded on a sole-source basis under FAR 6.302-2 due to unusual and compelling urgency, as the vendor is the only entity capable of delivering short-lived radioisotopes in time to prevent decay and ensure uninterrupted patient care. The product must be delivered directly to the VA facility in New Orleans, where inspection and acceptance occur upon arrival to confirm compliance with Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations, VA radiation safety standards, sterility, radioactivity levels, and packaging integrity. The contracting office is the 256-NETWORK Contract Office 16 in Ridgeland, Mississippi, with Rachel Babin serving as the contracting officer and Allison Assaf as the signing official on behalf of the VA medical center. Compliance with NRC licensing for nuclear pharmacists is mandatory, and the contract is governed by NAICS code 325412 and PSC 6515. No formal evaluation factors, competitive bidding, or trade-off analysis was conducted; the award relies entirely on the justification of time-sensitive clinical need and the vendor’s unique proximity and operational capabilities. Packaging and delivery must meet stringent requirements for transporting radioactive materials under DOT and NRC guidelines, though specific labeling or MIL-STD standards are not detailed. The contract has no options, extensions, or performance incentives, and no socioeconomic status or offeror certifications are documented in the provided records.