Seeking IEE vendors to provide brand name only: Bridge Contract f/Immunoassay Reagents Supplies & Analyzer Support Services @ Fort Yates IHS Hospital, Fort Yates, ND.

Sources Sought: Bridge Contract for Immunoassay Reagents, Supplies, and Analyzer Support Services

Sources Sought Notice Number: SSN-IHS1528137

This source sought notice is for informational and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation, an obligation or commitment by the Indian Health Service.

The Government is evaluating potential application of the Buy Indian Act for this acquisition. Market research results will determine whether a Buy Indian set-aside is appropriate.

Market Research Notice:

This Sources Sought Notice is issued solely for the purpose of conducting market research in accordance with FAR Part 10 and the Buy Indian Act (25 U.S.C. § 5323). While the Government currently utilizes healthcare staffing or professional services, this notice is intended to determine whether qualified Indian Economic Enterprises (IEE) can provide Abbott Architect i1000SR immunoassay reagents, supplies, maintenance, and analyzer support services.

Any future determination to restrict competition to one or a sole source will be supported by a separate full and open competition justification in accordance with applicable FAR requirements.

This source sought notice is intended strictly for market research to determine the availability Indian Economic Enterprises (IEE).

Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. The anticipated applicable NAICS code for this acquisition is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, and other relevant NAICS codes will be considered based on responses received.

BACKGROUND:

Indian Health Service (IHS), Great Plains Area Office (GPAO) provides support to the Indian Health Clinics and Hospitals in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa. The GPAO ensures that all health clinics and hospitals have supplies, services, support, oversight, and other needs to provide healthcare for eligible Native American patients that are registered for supplies, equipment and services.

The Indian Health Service (IHS), Great Plains Area Office (GPAO), located in Aberdeen, South Dakota. It is conducting market research to identify potential small business sources capable of providing Abbott Architect i1000SR immunoassay reagents, supplies, maintenance, and analyzer support service at a hospital located in the Great Plains Area.  The location of the performance is the IHS Standing Rock Service Unit, located in Fort Yates, North Dakota.    

The Government currently utilizes supplies and services within the region, however, this Sources Sought Notice is issued solely to assess the availability and capability of qualified Indian Economic Enterprises (IEE)) or other Small Business that can provide Abbott Architect i1000SR immunoassay reagents, supplies, maintenance, and analyzer support services.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Business Size Standard of Company (i.e. small business, 8(a), Woman owned, veteran owned, etc.).

Socioeconomic Status and Required Documentation: Respondents shall clearly identify all applicable socioeconomic categories, including:

• Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE)

• Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE)

• 8(a) Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)

• HUBZone Small Business • Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)

• Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)

• Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)

• Economically Disadvantaged WOSB (EDWOSB)

• Other Small Business

• Large Business

Required Documentation:

(a) Proof of ISBEE/IEE status (including completed IEE Representation Form and Tribal/ownership documentation).

(b) SBA certification numbers or evidence for 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, EDWOSB, etc.

(c) Confirmation of business size relative to NAICS 561320.

(d) Confirmation of current SAM registration (consistent with Item #2).

Responses are requested from all qualified firms, including but not limited to ISBEE, IEE, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, and large businesses. Responses will assist the Government in determining whether the requirement may be set aside under Buy Indian Act authority.

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

Bridge Contract for Immunoassay Reagents, Supplies, and Analyzer Support Services

BACKGROUND

The Standing Rock Service Unit requires uninterrupted laboratory diagnostic capability to support patient care services. The Architect i1000SR immunoassay analyzer is currently in use and requires continuous availability of reagents, consumable supplies, maintenance, and technical support services to ensure operational readiness and accuracy of laboratory testing.

This bridge contract is necessary to prevent any lapse in services while follow-on contractual actions are completed. The follow-on acquisition was not completed prior to expiration of the current contract due to acquisition lead-time constraints, including requirements development, market research, internal review processes, and contract coordination activities.

The Government is actively pursuing follow-on acquisition and has implemented mitigation measures intended to reduce the likelihood of recurring bridge actions. These measures include earlier acquisition planning milestones, enhanced procurement tracking, coordination between program and contracting personnel, and periodic acquisition status reviews to support timely contract award.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this Performance Work Statement is to obtain contractor support for the provision of immunoassay reagents, consumable supplies, preventive and corrective maintenance, and technical support services necessary to maintain uninterrupted operation of the Abbott Architect i1000SR Immunoassay Analyzer.

The Contractor shall support continuous laboratory operations and assist the Government in maintaining operational readiness and timely diagnostic testing capability. This requirement is critical to maintaining uninterrupted patient diagnostic services during the interim period pending award of the follow-on contract. Performance outcomes include maintaining analyzer uptime consistent with manufacturer standards, minimizing service disruptions, supporting uninterrupted patient care operations, and ensuring laboratory testing turnaround times are not adversely impacted by equipment downtime, reagent shortages, or delayed technical support.

SCOPE OF SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide all labor, supervision, materials, equipment, reagents, consumables, transportation, and technical support necessary to maintain full operational capability of the Architect i1000SR Immunoassay Analyzer.

Mandatory Services

The following services are required under this contract:

• Provision of manufacturer-approved immunoassay reagents compatible with the Architect i1000SR
• Supply of all required consumables and ancillary materials
• Preventive maintenance services in accordance with manufacturer specifications
• Corrective maintenance and repair services
• Remote and/or on-site technical support and troubleshooting as required to restore operational capability
• Documentation of maintenance activities and service events

Optional or Conditional Services

The following services may be required when applicable to system operation or directed by the Government:

• Software updates and system optimization, if applicable and authorized by the Government
• Provision of quality control materials, if required for system operation
• Additional technical consultation or specialized troubleshooting support beyond standard maintenance requirements

The Contractor shall ensure all products and services comply with OEM specifications, FDA requirements, manufacturer specifications, and all applicable laboratory regulatory standards.

EQUIPMENT COVERED

Primary Equipment

• Abbott Architect i1000SR Immunoassay Analyzer

Ancillary Equipment

• Abbott Link Firewall (currently installed and operational)

The Contractor shall maintain all covered equipment in optimal operating condition to support continuous laboratory operations. Maintenance responsibilities include covered ancillary connectivity components necessary for analyzer operation.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS – The table of the performance standards is in section #6 of the PWS.

NON-PERSONAL SERVICES

This is a non-personal services contract. Contractor personnel shall not be supervised by Government personnel. Nothing in this contract shall be construed to create an employer-employee relationship between the Government and Contractor personnel.

Contractor personnel shall not perform inherently governmental functions as defined in FAR 7.503. All decisions involving Government policy, contract administration authority, inherently governmental determinations, or official Government representation shall remain the sole responsibility of Government personnel.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

All services shall be performed at:

Standing Rock Service Unit

10 Standing Rock Ave, Fort Yates, ND 58538

(701) 854-3831

DELIVERABLES - The table of the deliverable standards is in section #9 of the PWS.

QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE

The Government will monitor Contractor performance in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP), when applicable, to ensure compliance with contract requirements. The QASP may identify surveillance methods, performance metrics, monitoring frequency, and responsible Government officials associated with oversight of Contractor performance.

Performance may be evaluated through:

• Review of maintenance and service reports
• Verification of delivery timeliness
• Monitoring of analyzer operational status
• Review of corrective action responses
• End-user feedback regarding technical support and service quality

All products provided under this contract shall be FDA-approved or FDA-cleared, as applicable. Contractor performance and supplied materials shall also comply with applicable Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) requirements, College of American Pathologists (CAP) accreditation standards, and other applicable laboratory regulatory or accreditation requirements governing the facility.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Base Period

1 July 2026 through 31 December 2026

No formal transition-in period is anticipated due to the incumbent system and existing operational environment. However, the Contractor shall ensure continuity of services, supplies, and maintenance support without interruption at the start of performance.

At the conclusion of the bridge period, the Contractor shall cooperate with the Government and any successor contractor, as applicable, to support an orderly transition of services and minimize disruption to laboratory operations.

GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY (GFP)

The Contractor shall exercise reasonable care and accountability for all Government-furnished property and equipment provided under this contract. The Contractor shall immediately report any damage, loss, theft, misuse, or malfunction involving Government-furnished equipment to the designated COR or Government POC.

The Contractor shall not remove, modify, relocate, or use Government-furnished equipment for any purpose other than performance under this contract without prior written Government approval. Any damage caused by Contractor negligence or unauthorized use may result in Contractor liability in accordance with applicable contract terms and Federal regulations. (GFP)

The Government will provide access to the Abbott Architect i1000SR analyzer currently installed at the facility. No additional Government-furnished property is anticipated.

CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

The Contractor shall ensure that maintenance, repair, and technical support services are performed by OEM-certified technicians or manufacturer-authorized support personnel qualified to service the Abbott Architect i1000SR Immunoassay Analyzer and associated components.

The Contractor shall:

• Provide trained and qualified personnel for equipment, maintenance and support
• Ensure compliance with all applicable safety and infection control standards
• Coordinate deliveries and service visits with designated Government personnel
• Maintain confidentiality of patient, facility, and operational information
• Ensure all personnel comply with applicable facility access procedures
• Maintain adequate staffing and resources to fulfill contract requirements

GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The Government shall:

• Provide access to the equipment and facilities as required
• Designate a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or Point of Contact (POC)
• Review and accept deliverables
• Coordinate facility access for Contractor personnel

SECURITY AND PRIVACY REQUIREMENTS

Contractor personnel may be required to complete facility access requirements prior to performing work under this contract. Such requirements may include acknowledgment of Rules of Behavior, cybersecurity or information security awareness training, background investigations or suitability determinations, and compliance with applicable facility security procedures, as determined by the Government.

The Contractor shall comply with all applicable Federal privacy and security requirements, including HIPAA requirements where applicable. No patient-identifiable information shall be disclosed without proper authorization.

ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA

The designated Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or authorized Government Point of Contact (POC) shall be responsible for inspection and acceptance of supplies and services provided under this contract.

Supplies and services shall be considered acceptable when:

• Delivered items meet manufacturer specifications and are free from damage
• Maintenance and repair tasks are completed successfully
• Equipment is fully operational following service activities
• Required documentation is submitted accurately and timely

The Government shall inspect deliverables and services within a reasonable period following receipt or completion. The Government reserves the right to reject supplies or services that fail to meet contract requirements, manufacturer specifications, or applicable regulatory standards. The Contractor shall correct deficiencies identified by the Government at no additional cost to the Government within a timeframe determined appropriate by the COR or Contracting Officer.

INVOICING

Invoices shall be submitted in accordance with FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions—Commercial Products and Commercial Services, and any applicable Indian Health Service (IHS) invoicing procedures.

Invoices shall be submitted electronically through the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP), unless otherwise directed by the Contracting Officer and shall include, at a minimum:

• Contract number and applicable task or delivery order number
• Invoice number and invoice date
• Contractor name, address, and point of contact information
• Description of supplies or services provided
• Quantities delivered or services performed
• Unit prices and total invoiced amount
• Period of performance covered by the invoice
• Shipping or delivery documentation, if applicable
• Name of the designated COR or receiving official

Invoices shall be submitted to the payment office and designated Government officials identified in the award document or task order.

Payment for supplies and services under this contract shall be issued by the Standing Rock Service Unit through individual task orders and processed in accordance with Prompt Payment Act requirements and applicable agency procedures.

POINT OF CONTACT

The Contracting Officer will designate the Government Point of Contact and/or Contracting Officer’s Representative upon contract award.

APPENDIX A – ESTIMATED TEST VOLUMES

Note: Reagent catalog and list numbers shall be verified by the Government and Contractor for accuracy prior to solicitation release and award. Any discrepancies identified in manufacturer list numbers, product descriptions, or reagent specifications shall be corrected through amendment or clarification, as applicable.

The following represents estimated reagent test volumes for the six-month bridge period for the Architect i1000SR analyzer. These estimates are based on historical usage and are provided for planning and cost-estimation purposes only. Quantities listed do not guarantee minimum purchases. The table of supplies and quantities is in the PWS under Appendix A.

A. Requirements from Contractor:

Interested parties are expected to review this notice to familiarize themselves with the requirements of this project. Failure to do so will be at your firm’s own risk. The following information shall be included in the capability statement:

1. Company Name and Company SAM Unique Entity identifier (UEI) number.  

2. System for Award Management (SAM) registration status. All respondents must register on the SAM located at http://www.sam.gov .  

3. Name, Telephone number and E-mail address of a company point of contact who has the authority and knowledge to clarify responses with government representatives.

4. Date Submitted

5. Applicable company GSA Schedule number or other available procurement vehicle.

6. Business Size Standard of Company (i.e. small business, 8(a), Woman owned, veteran owned, etc.).

7. Capability Statement: Detailed capability statement addressing the company’s qualifications and ability to provide the requirements listed herein, with appropriate and specific documentation supporting claims of recent organizational and staff capability to support this requirement.  If significant subcontracting or teaming is anticipated to deliver technical capability, organizations should address the administrative and management structure of such arrangements.

8. Geographic Coverage: Please identify the areas of the United States where your organization provides this supplies/equipment.

9. References: Provide a list of all private industry or government contracts for similar items that you have delivered within the last 3 years. Please include customers’ contact names, contract period, and brief description of similar supplies delivered

10. Provide evidence demonstrating the ability to meet the minimum performance characteristics identified in this Sources Sought Notice.

11. Delivery/Logistics: Provide evidence that the item is readily available and can meet the Delivery timeframe.

12. Warranty: Provide evidence that the item has warranty options.

13. If American Indian/Native American owned small business, then complete attached IEE Representation Form.

All businesses (not only ISBEE/IEE) must be instructed to submit capability statements addressing experience, staffing, performance history, and capacity.

B. Closing Statement:

Point of Contact: Ursula Maslonka, Contract Specialist, @ Ursula.Maslonka@ihs.gov

Submission Instructions:

Interested parties shall submit capability only via email to Ursula Maslonka, Contract Specialist, @ Ursula.Maslonka@ihs.gov; the following information: 

Sources Sought Number: SSN-IHS1528137 in the Subject line. The due date for receipt of statements is June 17, 2026, 12:00 pm Central Time.

All responses must be received by the specified due date and time to be considered.

This notice is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of IHS.

IHS does not intend to award a contract based on responses nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted. As a result of this notice, IHS may issue a Request for Quote (RFQ).

THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. However, should such a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against IHS shall arise because of a response to this notice or IHS’s use of such information as either part of our evaluation process or in developing specifications for any subsequent requirement.

Disclaimer and Important Notes. This notice does not oblige \the Government to award a contract or pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in SAM.gov. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

Confidentiality. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response.