Q517--Pharmacy Benefits Management

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office (NCO) 6, on behalf of Health Service Area 2.1, is conducting this Sources Sought to gain knowledge of potential qualified sources interested and capable of providing Pharmacy Benefits Management Firs-fill Services. Anticipated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 524292 Pharmacy Benefit Management and Other Third-Party Administration of Insurance and Pension Funds. Responses to this Sources Sought notice will assist in determining the appropriate market strategy. The Scope of this requirement includes, but isn t limited to: Unless otherwise pre-authorized, prescription fills will be limited to a maximum of 14-day supply. Prescriptions will be filled for legend drugs listed in the Department of Veterans Affairs National Drug Formulary. A copy will be provided upon award to the contractor. Prescriptions filled under this contract will achieve the largest discounts available pursuant to contractor's agreements with its network pharmacies. Generic drugs will be dispensed whenever possible. A product is not considered a generic equivalent unless the strength, quantity, and dosage are the same as the brand name. The generic name must be displayed on all labels for all medications. Drug products on the VA Drug Standardization list will be dispensed as per criteria stated on the list. The Drug Standardization List is a list of pharmaceutical products for which substitution is not permitted under normal circumstances. The current list as of May 20, 2025 of medications is as follows: However, as changes occur updates can be viewed via this link VA Drug Standardization List - January 2025.docx VA beneficiaries will utilize contractor's network of pharmacies. Contractor must be able to provide a minimum of one licensed pharmacy accepting its plan in the Virginia localities of Charlottesville, Emporia, Fredericksburg, and the counties surrounding Richmond (Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, Richmond City, and Powhatan County). Contractor will provide a method for authorized Veterans Affairs providers based at these locations to give VA beneficiaries a voucher or alternative that can be presented to the contractor s network of pharmacies. This voucher must state that the VA beneficiaries are covered under this program. This method must include a hard-copy and an electronic option in order to serve VA beneficiaries that have had face-to-face and telehealth appointments. After an authorized pharmacy has filled a prescription, the original order will be electronically transmitted to contractor. Contractor will capture all information required by the VA and provide the Richmond VAMC with such data monthly. In addition to the information contained on the prescription document, the date of filling, quantity provided, and prescription number will be provided. Contractor shall have at least one pharmacy within (5) miles of the requesting CBOCs.
As permitted by RFO Part 10, this is a market research tool being utilized for informational and planning purposes. Your responses will assist the Government in developing its acquisition strategy for a possible Request for quote (RFQ), to be issued at a future date. This notice shall not be construed as an solicitation or as any commitment or obligation on the part of the Government to issue a solicitation. The Government does not intend to award a contract based on this request, so quotes will not be considered. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this synopsis or with any follow-up information requests. Response is strictly voluntary - it is not mandatory to submit a response to this notice to participate in any future RFQ. However, it should be noted that information gathered through this notice may significantly influence VA s acquisition strategy for this procurement. Submission Instructions: Responses via email are due no later than August 4, 2026, at 12noon Eastern, to Cole.Culley@va.gov , and must include the information requested below. This Sources Sought notice is strictly for market research purposes, and the Government will not entertain any questions. Qualified firms shall submit the following: A statement of interest on company letterhead demonstrating the firm s qualifications to perform the defined work. Responses must be complete and sufficiently detailed to address the specific information. The documentation shall address, at a minimum, the following: Business Name and Address: Business SAM UEI Number: POC Name, email address and governmentwide contact number (if applicable): Business size and Socioeconomic Category: Please indicate whether you are an SDVOSB, VOSB, Woman-owned Small Business, etc.