Pharmacy Reverse Distribution Service

Summary (Newest Update)

Background The Indian Health Service (IHS) is seeking to identify Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEEs) and Indian Economic Enterprises (IEE) capable of performing pharmaceutical reverse distribution services. This initiative is in accordance with the Buy Indian Act, which mandates preference for Indian Economic Enterprises when authorized and practicable. The goal is to facilitate the removal and return of expired and soon-to-expire pharmaceutical products to authorized manufacturers or wholesalers for eligible credit, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and minimizing financial losses associated with expired pharmaceuticals. Work Details The contractor will provide all labor, equipment, materials, packaging, transportation, and documentation necessary for on-site pharmaceutical reverse distribution services at designated Billings Area IHS pharmacy locations. Specific services include: - On-site inventory of expired and soon-to-expire medications - Secure handling and segregation of controlled and non-controlled substances - Packaging, transportation, and return of eligible pharmaceuticals - Processing of manufacturer or wholesaler credits when applicable. The contractor must be a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-registered reverse distributor. Period of Performance Base Year plus Four Option Years Place of Performance Designated Billings Area IHS pharmacy locations Bidder Requirements Bidders must be registered as an Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) as defined by 48 CFR 1480.201, which requires that Indians or Indian Tribes receive at least a majority of the earnings from the contract. Additionally, bidders must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws including DEA regulations governing reverse distribution. Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail) This Sources Sought appears to have a closely related prior contract, 75H70722P00074, awarded to Emes2 Pharmaceuticals for reverse medication distribution services (MSU) with a total value of $62,325 and a period of performance from 02/02/22 to 01/31/27. The current requirement for on-site pharmaceutical reverse distribution—handling expired and soon-to-expire medications, secure segregation of controlled substances, packaging/transportation, and return for eligible credit—appears to be a continuation of the same type of reverse distribution work under IHS.