H299 - Microbiological Laboratory Testing

Project ID: 36C25026Q0630 FederalOpportunitiesSources Sought

Overview

Agency	VISN 10: Healthcare System
Deadline	06/25/26
Posted	06/11/26
Estimated Value	$25,000 - $150,000 (AI estimate)
Set Aside	None
NAICS	541380 - Testing Laboratories and Services
PSC	H299 - Equipment And Materials Testing- Miscellaneous
Location	Cleveland, OH 44106 United States

Description

Primary Latest Change

Summary

DISCLAIMER This Sources Sought Notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. This request is solely for the purpose of conducting market research to enhance VHA's understanding of the market's offered products, services, and capabilities. All information received in response to this Sources Sought Notice that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Sources Sought Notice. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) VA Healthcare System, Network Contracting Office (NCO) 10, on behalf of VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System (VANEOHS) & Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, is conducting market research through this Sources Sought Notice to seek sources who are appropriately accredited in microbiological laboratory testing. VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System (VANEOHS) is looking to identify an appropriately accredited microbiological laboratory contractor that specializes in USP General Chapter environmental and personnel sampling. The contractor shall be capable of supplying necessary testing and competency materials, performing the required analyses, and delivering results that comply with USP standards and the specific requirements of VANEOHS. Pharmacy staff must undergo regular assessments, and sterile compounding areas must be sampled to ensure compliance with regulatory standards, including U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) General Chapters and . These assessments are integral to a comprehensive quality assurance program that prioritizes patient safety, staff competency, and the maintenance of a controlled environment within sterile compounding spaces. Although trained pharmacy staff are responsible for conducting these tests, it is crucial that viable samples are incubated and analyzed by an independent third party to guarantee unbiased results. Consequently, it is essential to identify an appropriately accredited microbiological laboratory contractor that specializes in USP General Chapter environmental and personnel sampling. The NAICS Code for this acquisition is 541380, size standard of $19.5 M. The product service code is H299. The contracting office is contemplating award of a Firm-Fixed-Price contract for this service. This Sources Sought notice provides an opportunity for respondents to submit their notice of ability, and their available services in response to the requirement described below. Vendors are invited to submit information relative to their potential of fulfilling the requirement below, in the form of a capability response that addresses the specific requirement identified in this Sources Sought. Pursuant to FAR Part 10, Market Research, the purpose of this notice is to determine if sources capable of satisfying the agency's requirements exist and to determine the commercial practices of company's engaged in providing the needed service. Pursuant to FAR Part 6 and FAR Part 19, competition and set-aside decisions may be based on the results of this market research. This notice in no way obligates the Government to any further action.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Contractors that can provide and meet the requirement are requested to send: (1) Is this service available under a federal supply schedule (GSA)? If yes, please provide the contract number. (2) Do you directly provide these services? If teaming please provide a copy of your teaming agreement. If subcontracting please include the name of the subcontractor. (3) Is your business large or small? (4) If small, does your firm qualify as a small, emerging business, or small disadvantaged business? (5) Is your firm a certified Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small or Veteran Owned Small Business? Contractors must be registered and certified by the SBA to be considered VOSB/SDVOSB. (6) If disadvantaged, specify under which disadvantaged group and if your firm is certified under Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act. (7) Is your firm a certified hub zone firm? (8) Is your firm a woman-owned or operated business? (9) Is your firm registered on the System Award Management (SAM) website? (10) What is your firms name and Unique Entity ID (UEI)? Responses to this notice shall be emailed to Thomas Bellamy at thomas.bellamy@va.gov. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Responses must be received in writing no later than 3:00 PM on June 25th, 2026. This notice is to assist the VA in determining sources only. A solicitation is not currently available. If a solicitation is issued it will be announced later, and all interested parties must respond to that solicitation announcement separately from the responses to this announcement. Responses to this sources sought are not a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation.

Summary (Newest Update)

Background The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System, Network Contracting Office (NCO) 10, is conducting market research on behalf of the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System (VANEOHS) and the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center. The goal is to identify sources that are appropriately accredited in microbiological laboratory testing, specifically focusing on USP General Chapter <797> environmental and personnel sampling. This initiative aims to enhance understanding of available products and services in the market. Work Details The contractor shall provide necessary testing and competency materials, perform required analyses, and deliver results that comply with USP standards and specific requirements of VANEOHS. Key tasks include: 1) Supply Testing Materials and Equipment: The contractor must provide microbial growth media plates that include Certificates of Analysis verifying compliance with USP General Chapter <797>. These plates must contain TSA general microbial growth media supplemented with neutralizing additives to counteract residual disinfecting agents, have a raised convex surface for surface sampling, and support both bacterial and fungal growth. Period of Performance The geographic location(s) the contract will be performed (if provided) Place of Performance Cleveland, Ohio, specifically at the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System. Bidder Requirements Bidders must be appropriately accredited in microbiological laboratory testing specializing in USP General Chapter <797>. They should provide information regarding their business size (large or small), any certifications as a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business or Veteran Owned Small Business. Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail) This opportunity appears to have a confirmed incumbent and/or closely related prior contract based on award 36C24223D0082, awarded to US Micro-Solutions for $144,605 (08/15/23–08/14/28). The prior work includes environmental and personnel sampling and microbiological laboratory testing for USP <797> compliance, including surface sampling, media fill testing, and gloved fingertip testing, along with supplying USP <797>-compliant growth media plates and conducting incubation/testing with reporting to VA facilities. The current requirement similarly calls for an independent third-party microbiological lab to incubate/analyze viable samples and deliver results that comply with USP <797> (and <800>) for sterile compounding areas and pharmacy staff competency assessments, which aligns with the described prior testing scope.

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