Q301--Reference Laboratory and Esoteric Testing

The Department of Veterans Affairs, through the 242-NETWORK Contract Office 02 in Albany, New York, has issued a sources-sought notice for reference laboratory and esoteric testing services under Solicitation Number 36C24226Q0577, with a response deadline of May 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM Eastern Time. This is a market research initiative, not a formal solicitation or award, aimed at identifying qualified vendors capable of providing comprehensive diagnostic testing services across VA Medical Centers in VISN 2, which includes Downstate New York and New Jersey. The scope requires contractors to deliver end-to-end laboratory services including specimen pickup and transport, clinical testing according to a defined test menu, result reporting with established turnaround times, electronic integration with VA systems such as VistA and Cerner, and adherence to CLIA and CAP standards. Respondents must demonstrate full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, provide a signed declaration from their CLIA-certified Laboratory Director confirming the inclusion of all listed tests in Attachment A, and submit detailed information on laboratory capacity, staffing certifications, specimen tracking systems, and courier arrangements. Offerors are required to supply a range of documentation including a capability statement, examples of similar past performance, current test catalogs with interpretations, turn-around time data, and proof of all applicable certifications. They must also disclose their Unique Entity ID, size status relative to the NAICS code 621511’s $41.5 million revenue threshold, and any socioeconomic certifications. Subcontracting plans must be fully transparent, with UEIs and points of contact provided for all subcontractors, even if no subcontracting is currently intended. The contracting officer, Mariangie Rivera, is the sole point of contact for submissions, which must be sent via email without formal volume or page limits. While no contract value or pricing information is included, the outcome of this market research will inform future procurement decisions, potentially leading to a contract award structured as a small business set-aside with strict limitations on subcontracting. All information submitted will be treated as confidential and used solely for market analysis purposes.