Q501--STAT CLINICAL LAB TESTING AND AUTOPSIES

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The Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 2, Health Service Area (HSA) 2.1, Network Contracting Office (NCO) 6, is conducting market research to determine the availability and capability of qualified businesses to provide comprehensive referral laboratory testing, specimen transportation, and autopsy services for the Central Virginia VA Health Care System, including Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center. The Government is seeking information from Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs), Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs), and other Small Business concerns, including 8(a), Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) concerns. The anticipated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 621511, Medical Laboratories. The applicable small business size standard is $45.5 million. This Sources Sought Notice is issued solely for market research and acquisition-planning purposes. It does not constitute a solicitation, request for quotation, invitation for bid, or request for proposal. Submission of a response does not obligate the Government to issue a future solicitation or award a contract. I. GENERAL SCOPE OF SERVICES The contemplated requirement is for a contractor to provide a full range of referral laboratory and autopsy services. The contractor shall be capable of supporting both clinical pathology and anatomic pathology requirements. Required services are anticipated to include, but are not limited to: Performing analytical testing described in the contractor s reference test manual and the Government s attached test list. Receiving, processing, analyzing, and maintaining the integrity of clinical and anatomic pathology specimens. Reporting test results within established turnaround times. Providing routine, urgent, and STAT testing, as applicable. Providing consultative services concerning: Test selection; Specimen collection; Specimen handling and preservation; Transportation requirements; and Interpretation of test results. Providing supplies and materials required for the collection and transportation of specimens, as applicable. Providing secure transportation of specimens from Government-designated collection locations to the testing laboratory. Providing electronic access to test information and patient results. Providing hospital or medical autopsy services, including gross and microscopic examination, final reports, and related professional consultation. Coordinating transportation arrangements associated with autopsy services, if required by the Government. The anticipated service area includes Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center and any associated Central Virginia VA Health Care System locations identified in the resulting solicitation. The final solicitation, if issued, will establish the definitive scope, locations, quantities, schedules, performance standards, and reporting requirements. II. LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, AND ACCREDITATION Any reference laboratory performing services under the contemplated requirement, including a branch, division, affiliate, or subcontracted laboratory, shall possess all licenses, certifications, accreditations, and inspections required by applicable federal and state laws and regulations. Respondents shall identify their current laboratory accreditations and certifications, which may include: Certification under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA); Accreditation through an accrediting organization with deemed status from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), such as: College of American Pathologists (CAP); COLA; or The Joint Commission; Applicable Nuclear Regulatory Commission licenses; Applicable federal and state laboratory licenses or certifications; and Any other certification or accreditation required for the proposed testing or autopsy services. The contractor shall comply with applicable requirements governing the privacy and security of protected health information, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and its implementing regulations. Respondents shall identify the accreditation and certification status of every location that may perform testing or autopsy services, including proposed subcontractors and third-party reference laboratories. III. SPECIMEN TRANSPORTATION AND STAT TESTING Respondents shall describe their ability to provide secure and timely transportation of clinical and anatomic pathology specimens from Government-designated collection locations. As well as the capability to provide hospital or medical autopsy services, including: IV. CAPABILITY-STATEMENT REQUIREMENTS Interested parties shall submit a capability statement demonstrating their ability to satisfy the contemplated requirement. Responses should include: Legal name and address of the firm. Unique Entity Identifier. Point of contact, telephone number, and email address. Business size and socioeconomic status under NAICS code 621511, including, as applicable: SDVOSB; VOSB; 8(a); HUBZone; WOSB; EDWOSB; or Other Small Business. Confirmation of the firm s current SAM.gov registration status. Confirmation that any claimed veteran-owned status is verified in the applicable Small Business Administration veteran-certification system. A detailed capability statement addressing the laboratory testing, transportation, STAT testing, and autopsy requirements described in this notice. The number of years the firm has provided comparable laboratory or autopsy services. Relevant experience providing similar services to federal agencies, VA medical facilities, hospitals, or other healthcare systems. Current licenses, certifications, and accreditations. Identification of the location or locations where testing and autopsy services would be performed. A description of the firm s courier and specimen-transportation network. A description of the firm s electronic ordering and result-reporting capabilities. Identification of any proposed subcontractors, affiliates, branches, or third-party reference laboratories and the services each would perform. A description of how the respondent would perform the requirement while complying with FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, if applicable. Identification of any services the respondent cannot provide. Any recommendations concerning contract structure, performance period, test-list organization, pricing method, or other matters that may improve competition or performance. Respondents should clearly distinguish between services performed by the prime contractor and services performed by subcontractors or third-party laboratories. V. RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS Capability statements should not exceed five pages, excluding the cover page and copies of licenses, certifications, or accreditations. Responses shall be submitted electronically no later than: October 27, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET Submit responses by email to: Gordon Burns Network Contracting Office 6 VA Medical Center 27 Averill Avenue Hampton, VA 23667 Email: gordon.burns@va.gov The email subject line shall state: 36C24627Q0079 Autopsies and Lab Testing This Sources Sought Notice is issued for market research and acquisition-planning purposes only. It is not a solicitation, request for quotation, invitation for bid, or request for proposal. The Government is not requesting pricing or formal offers at this time. Responses will assist the Government in determining the availability and capability of qualified businesses and in developing an appropriate acquisition strategy. The Government will not award a contract based on responses to this notice. The Government will not reimburse respondents for costs incurred in preparing or submitting a response. Information submitted may be used to support the Government s market research and acquisition-planning documentation. No other information is required at this time.