R--Notice of Intent to Sole Source Proficiency Testing

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Acquisition Operations, Strategic Acquisition Center, located 10300 Spotsylvania Ave, Suite 400, Fredericksburg, VA 22408, intends to contract using other than full and open competition to provide Proficiency Testing Services for VA Clinical Laboratories. Accordingly, the VA intends to sole source this requirement to College of American Pathologists (CAP), 325 Waukegan Road, Northfield, IL. The Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under authority of FAR 6.302-1. Currently COLLEGE OF AMERICAN PATHOLOGISTS is the only vendor on CMS's list of approved Proficiency Testing (PT) providers that provides proficiency testing materials for all specialties/subspecialties required by VHA. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) requires that all laboratory testing performed at VHA medical laboratories, both within medical centers or community based laboratories, utilized for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease in patients meet or exceed the requirements of 42 CFR 493. It is therefore required that all clinical laboratory testing, regardless of location, undergo regular Proficiency Testing (PT) for regulated analytes per the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) approved proficiency testing programs. The Contractor must be an APPROVED ACCREDITING ORGANIZATION UNDER THE CLINICAL LABORATORY IMPROVEMENT AMENDMENTS (CLIA) and shall provide an uninterrupted supply of Proficiency Testing for all the following specialties/subspecialties in all complexity categories for both regulated and non-regulated analytes (as determined by the individual facility's patient testing menu): Microbiology, Bacteriology, Mycobacteriology, Mycology, Parasitology, Virology, Diagnostic Immunology, Syphillis, General Immunology, Immunoglobulins, Chemistry (routine), Blood Gases, Endocrinology, Toxicology, Hematology, Immunohematology, Histocompatibility, and Cytology. THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTES; however, any firm that believes it can meet the requirements may give written notification prior to the response due date and time. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to perform the requirements. Responses received will be evaluated; however, a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. If no responses are received, the Government will proceed with the award. Responses are due by March 13, 2015 12:00PM EDT. Responses shall be submitted via e-mail to [email protected]. Telephone requests or inquires will not be accepted.