Special Notice of Intent to Award Sole Source - American Proficiency Institute - Phoenix Area IHS

Indian Health Services (IHS) intends to award a sole-source contract to American Proficiency Institute, Inc. for a laboratory proficiency testing program. This program, authorized by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), is essential for laboratory accreditation at the Hopi Health Care Center and Phoenix Indian Medical Center. Other responsible sources may submit a capability statement by December 14, 2025, to dekovan.cook@ihs.gov, referencing notice number PHX-SS-26-003. However, the government reserves the right to proceed with the non-competitive acquisition. Responses will be used for market research to determine if a competitive procurement is viable and do not guarantee a contract award or payment for information provided.

This document is a justification for a non-competitive acquisition of proficiency testing (PT) services for the Phoenix Indian Medical Center (PIMC) Laboratory, specifically from API. The justification highlights API's comprehensive PT program, which meets regulatory requirements efficiently by using fewer samples and streamlining internal processes, reducing handling time, storage needs, and biohazardous waste disposal costs. The document clarifies that API is a PT program and should not be compared to Sonora Quest Laboratories, a reference laboratory, nor to Accutest, Inc., another PT program that appears to be defunct. The critical impact of not awarding this contract is the potential loss of accreditation for PIMC, which would severely hinder its mission. The document includes certifications from the Project Officer, their immediate supervisor, and the Contracting Officer, affirming the accuracy and completeness of the justification. The OPDIV Competition Advocate also approved the justification, supporting the decision for other than full and open competition.

The provided document, likely part of a government Request for Proposal (RFP) or a similar procurement document, lists various laboratory tests and their corresponding catalog numbers. The tests cover a range of diagnostic areas, including waived chemistry, infectious diseases (e.g., Trichomonas, M. tuberculosis, Lyme Disease, H. pylori Antibody), blood pathogens, GI and respiratory panels, and specific conditions like Glycohemoglobin and Carbapenem-resistant Organisms. The inclusion of 'Waived Chemistry (Verification)' suggests a need for re-verification or quality control processes for certain tests. This list is essential for outlining the scope of laboratory services or supplies required by a government entity, ensuring the procurement of necessary diagnostic capabilities.