RECALL Contour PLUS Blood Glucose Test Strips

The Department of Veterans Affairs, through the 257-NETWORK Contract Office 17 in San Antonio, Texas, has awarded a sole-source, firm-fixed price contract for the urgent replacement of CONTOUR PLUS Blood Glucose Test Strips and associated system kits under an FDA Class I Recall. This procurement, conducted under statutory authority 41 U.S.C. §3304(a)(2) for unusual and compelling urgency, bypasses competitive bidding because Ascensia Diabetes Care US Inc. is the sole manufacturer of these medically necessary devices, with no alternative suppliers capable of meeting technical, compatibility, or regulatory compliance requirements. The contract, linked to the National Acquisition Center contract 36F79724D0097, has a performance period from June 3, 2026, to July 29, 2027, and requires direct shipment of all items to affected veterans, primarily in Dallas, Texas, to ensure uninterrupted diabetes care. The estimated value is listed as $1,000, though this figure is likely incomplete or erroneous due to the scale of the medical need. Packaging and handling must adhere to OEM standards, with traceability and recall compliance enforced through FDA protocols, though no specific labeling, marking, or preservation requirements are detailed in the documentation. The acquisition is justified through a formal sole-source justification document that includes procedural certifications affirming the bona fide need, accuracy of the justification, and compliance with federal acquisition regulations. No evaluation factors, contract clauses, or standard representation sections were included, as competition is precluded by law. The contracting officer and contracting office representative are not individually identified, and invoicing, payment, and accounting details are unspecified, implying administrative processes follow standard VA National Acquisition Center procedures. The solicitation form number 36C25726F0091 was posted on June 5, 2026, with no pre-solicitation notice issued or submission deadline published, consistent with emergency procurement exceptions under FAR provisions.