Q301 Reference Laboratory Testing for VA Portland Health Care System
ID: 36C26025Q0927Type: Sources Sought
Overview

Buyer

VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OFVETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF260-NETWORK CONTRACT OFFICE 20 (36C260)VANCOUVER, WA, 98661, USA

PSC

MEDICAL- LABORATORY TESTING (Q301)

Set Aside

No Set aside used (NONE)
Timeline
    Description

    The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking qualified contractors to provide Referral Laboratory services for histocompatibility and immunogenetics testing to support the VA Portland Health Care System's transplant program. The selected laboratory must be accredited by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) and capable of performing a range of specialized tests, including HLA typing and antibody screening, while adhering to strict regulatory standards and providing 24/7 critical testing services. This contract, which spans from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2031, is crucial as the VA Portland Health Care System currently lacks the capability to perform these tests in-house. Interested parties must submit their responses by December 26, 2025, to Eric Lingenfelter at eric.lingenfelter@va.gov, with no funding amount specified at this stage.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Files
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    Posted
    This Sources Sought Notice from the VA Portland Health Care System seeks contractors for Histocompatibility Transplant Testing and Interpretation services. This is not a solicitation but market research under FAR 10, aiming to gather information for future planning. The contract is expected to include a one-year base period and four one-year option periods. The notice specifies NAICS Code 621511 (Medical Laboratories) and Product Service Code Q301. Responses are due by December 26, 2025, at 5:00 PM PDT, via email to eric.lingenfelter@va.gov. Respondents must complete specific sections, provide company and contact information, business size/type (including SAM and VetCert registration details for SDVOSB/VOSB), Federal Supply Schedule contract information, and details for three past contracts. Additionally, contractors must answer questions regarding their compliance with SOW requirements, laboratory licensing/accreditation (CAP, TJC, CLIA), director qualifications, experience, and potential use of subcontractors. CLIA certificates and subcontractor agreements are also required. This notice emphasizes that the Government will not pay for submitted information and does not guarantee a future solicitation.
    The provided document lists various HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) tests and related medical procedures, along with their corresponding CPT codes, often used for billing and identification in medical contexts. The tests cover a range of HLA typing at both low and high resolutions (e.g., HLA-A, -B, -C, -DR, -DQ, -DP), antibody screening and identification, and crossmatching procedures (T-cell, B-cell, flow). It also includes specialized tests for specific conditions or drug sensitivities (e.g., HLA-A29 BIRDSHOT, HLA-B*1502 CARBAMAZEPINE, HLA-DQ2/DQ8 CELIAC, HLA-DR*1501/DQ*0602 TYPING for Narcolepsy). Additionally, the list mentions procedures like specimen handling, blood typing, and long-term storage, indicating a comprehensive service offering in transplant immunology and genetic testing. The presence of columns like 'Test Performed in House Y/N?' and 'Courier Third Party Y/N?' suggests the document might be part of an RFP or service catalog for a laboratory, detailing capabilities and operational aspects for potential contractors or grant applications.
    The VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) has issued a Sources Sought Notice (Solicitation Number: 36C26025Q0927) for Referral Laboratory services. These services are required to provide histocompatibility and immunogenetics testing and interpretation to support the VAPORHCS transplant program. The Period of Performance (POP) is from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2031. Responses to this notice are due by December 26, 2025, at 17:00 PACIFIC TIME, Los Angeles, USA. The contracting office is located in Vancouver, WA, and the place of performance is the Department of Veterans Affairs, Portland Health Care System in Portland, OR. The contracting specialist is Eric Lingenfelter.
    The VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) requires a Histocompatibility Laboratory to provide specialized testing and interpretation services for its transplant program, as it lacks in-house OPTN accreditation. This five-year contract involves patient specimen testing, analytical result reporting, and clinical interpretation, adhering to federal, state, and local regulations. The selected laboratory must be OPTN-accredited, affiliated with Oregon's federally designated OPO, and have a written affiliation agreement with the Portland VA Transplant Program. Key services include 24/7 critical donor testing, OPTN kidney waitlist management, monthly antibody screening, and STAT virtual crossmatch assessments. The laboratory must meet CLIA and ASHI/CAP standards, employ qualified personnel, and maintain high-quality customer service. Strict security and record management protocols are in place for sensitive patient information, with penalties for data breaches. Technical performance is the primary evaluation criterion for this critical service.
    This document outlines the technical evaluation factors for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics testing and interpretation reference laboratory services, likely for a federal government Request for Proposal (RFP) or grant. Key requirements include the ability to provide comparable tests, detailed itemization of all testing components (including reflex testing, panel components, and professional fees), and adherence to specific licensure and certification standards (e.g., Laboratory Director license, CLIA certificate, state license, CAP accreditation). The document also mandates the identification of key personnel (General Supervisor, Clinical Consultant, Technical Supervisor), strict adherence to Turn Around Times for deceased donor testing, and accreditation/membership with OPTN. Furthermore, the laboratory must have an existing relationship with Cascade Life Alliance, an affiliation agreement with the Portland VA Transplant Service, and agree to perform numerous non-testing tasks. A robust 24/7 on-call system for critical donor testing and provision of courier services for specimen transport are also essential requirements.
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