In-Vitro Diagnostic Quality Control Reagents and Software for Veterans Affairs

Executive Summary

The Department of Veterans Affairs is procuring in-vitro diagnostic quality control reagents and associated software for its South Texas Veterans Health Care System. This is a single-award Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract.

Scope & Requirements

The Department of Veterans Affairs, South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service, has a recurring requirement for in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) quality-control (QC) reagents and consumables, and for the renewal of the associated QC data-management software, in support of the Core Laboratory at the Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital (San Antonio, TX) and the Kerrville VA Medical Center (Kerrville, TX). The QC materials and software directly support patient testing performed under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) on the installed Beckman Coulter AU 5800 (clinical chemistry), Beckman Coulter DxI 800 (immunoassay), and Tosoh HbA1c analyzer fleet.

The Government intends to award a single-award Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract under FAR 16.504, against which Firm-Fixed-Price delivery orders will be issued. The contract will include a base ordering period of twelve (12) months and four (4) twelve-month option periods, for a total ordering time not to exceed five (5) years (FAR 17.204(e)). The maximum contract ceiling is $1,310,704.58 inclusive of the base and all option periods. A guaranteed minimum obligation will be stated in Section B of the solicitation and satisfied via an initial delivery order issued upon award.

Brand-name products referenced (in the alternative):

• Multiqual Levels 1 / 2 / 3 (tri-level clinical chemistry QC)
• Liquichek Immunoassay Plus Levels 1 / 2 / 3
• Liquichek Ethanol / Ammonia Control Levels 1 / 2 / 3
• Liquichek Cardiac Marker Plus LT Levels 1 / 2 / 3
• Liquichek Diabetes Control (HbA1c) Levels 1 / 2 / 3
• Liquichek Urine Chemistry Levels 1 / 2
• Liquichek Immunology Levels 1 / 2 / 3
• Liquichek Spinal Fluid Levels 1 / 2
• Liquichek Urine Toxicology Screen S1E / S2E (Low Opiate)
• Liquichek Cardiac Markers Plus LT Level 1B
• Liquichek Specialty Immunoassay Plus Levels 1 / 2 / 3
• Unity Real Time QC Data-Management Software (12-month subscription)

Compliance & Qualifications

• FAR Part 12 (Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services)
• FAR Part 13 / FAR Part 15 as applicable
• FAR 11.104 and FAR 52.211-6 (Brand Name or Equal)
• VAAR Parts 811, 815, and 819
• FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Products and Commercial Services
• FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Products and Commercial Services
• FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Products and Commercial Services
• FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Products and Commercial Services
• FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Products and Commercial Services
• FAR 52.211-6, Brand Name or Equal (AUG 1999)
• FAR 52.216-18, -19, -20, -21, and -22 (IDIQ ordering procedures, minimum / maximum, and ordering clauses)
• FAR 52.217-8 and 52.217-9 (Option to Extend Services / Option to Extend the Term of the Contract)
• FAR 52.204-7 (SAM Registration)
• FAR 52.204-13 (SAM Maintenance)
• FAR 52.204-16 (Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting)
• FAR 52.204-24/-25 (Section 889 prohibitions)
• VAAR 852.203-70, 852.211-70, 852.212-70, 852.212-71, 852.215-70, 852.215-71, 852.232-72, 852.247-71

How to Prepare Your Bid

1. Ensure your quotation includes all required documentation, including the Compliance Matrix for ‘equal’ offers.
2. Highlight any past performance that aligns with the requirements of this solicitation to demonstrate your capability.
3. Consider proposing meaningful subcontracting roles for verified SDVOSBs or VOSBs to gain evaluation credit.

Why Small Businesses Should Consider This

This contract presents a significant opportunity for small businesses, particularly those that are Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) or Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs). The unrestricted nature of the solicitation allows all qualified vendors to compete, while the evaluation criteria provide an avenue for SDVOSBs and VOSBs to receive credit for their participation. With a maximum ceiling of over $1.3 million, this contract can provide substantial revenue for small businesses capable of delivering the required in-vitro diagnostic products and services.