Q301--Path & Lab - HLA Testing - TVHS

The Department of Veterans Affairs is conducting market research through a Sources Sought Notice to identify capable vendors for Transplant Immunology Testing services at the VA Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. This notice is not a solicitation for bids or proposals, and no binding contract will be formed from responses. The intended procurement is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a five-year performance period composed of one-year ordering periods, focused on providing Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) typing, antibody status analysis, ABO blood typing, and deceased donor workup services. The contractor must perform testing on-site within 50 miles of the Nashville campus, maintain ASHI accreditation, and provide 24/7 availability to meet STAT and routine testing demands. Specimens must be preserved and handled according to industry standards, with results delivered electronically and accurately recorded in the patient’s electronic medical record. The laboratory must comply with HIPAA for protected health information, OSHA standards including Hepatitis B vaccination for personnel, and federal regulations regarding immigration and employment verification through E-Verify. Respondents must submit a capability statement directly via email to Rebecca Espinoza, Contract Specialist, no later than 10:00 a.m. CST on May 7, 2026, with the exact subject line referencing the solicitation number and service description. No payment will be made for preparation or submission costs, and the government has no obligation to award a contract based on submissions. Special requirements include strict adherence to organizational conflict of interest disclosures under VAAR 852.209-70, prohibition of inherently governmental tasks, and full liability for tort claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act, which does not extend to contractors. All billing must be processed exclusively through the VA, with no balance billing allowed to beneficiaries or third parties, and payments are made monthly in arrears. Contractors must ensure specimen integrity at 100%, achieve 90% on-time result delivery, and complete emergency tests within four hours of receipt. Performance will be monitored through a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan, and any changes to test methods or capabilities require written notice and formal contract modification. Personnel must be trained, insured, and immunized per OSHA requirements, and must not be considered VA employees. The NAICS code for the effort is 621511, and while socioeconomic set-asides are not currently applicable, future solicitations may utilize this data to determine competitive structures, though no formal evaluation