65--Blood, Blood Products and Related Services

The Alexandria VA Medical Center Contracting Office intends to solicit and award a sole source contract to LifeShare Blood Center for the follow-on purchase of Blood, Blood products and Related Services to the VA Medical Centers in Alexandria and Shreveport, LA. These medical centers are located in central and northern Louisiana. The Contractor is required to ensure an adequate, readily available supply of blood and/or blood components and related services that are in accordance with standards established by recognized accrediting agencies such as the American Association of Blood Banks, the Food and Drug Administration, and the College of American Pathologists. Blood and/or blood components must be available 24 hours per day, seven days per week regardless of holidays to ensure an adequate blood supply at all times. Only 100% volunteer donor blood will be provided by the blood bank to the VA in accordance with FDA rules and regulations effective May 15, 1978 or latest revision. This specific requirement includes the following timeframes for delivery: Blood shall be delivered as specified within twelve (12) hours following routine request(s). Emergency (STAT) requests for transportation of patient sample to reference laboratory for reference blood bank testing shall be available within a 1-hour response time of notification. Delivery of blood products for transfusion to VAMC Alexandria shall be made within four (4) hours of completion of testing and location of a suitable product. Delivery of blood products for transfusion must be delivered to VAMC Shreveport within two (2) hours of completion of testing and location of a suitable product. The Contractor shall be registered and/or licensed with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), through the Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to Section 510 of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended, 21 USC Section 260; is inspected and accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks; is a member in good standing in the Louisiana Hospital Associations, and participates in a proficiency testing program. LifeShare Blood Centers is the only source that can satisfy the government's requirements. Authorization for other than full competition is in accordance with FAR 6.302-1. The designated North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) Code for this procurement is 621991 with a small business size standard of $10M. This synopsis is for notification purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for bids or proposals. No solicitation will be published. Responses to this notice, if any, must show clear and convincing evidence that competition is attainable and more advantageous to the Government. This 'Notice of Intent' to sole-source is not a request for competitive proposals. A determination not to compete this proposed contract action is solely within the discretion and authority of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to solicit this requirement as a 'full & open' competitive procurement. No reimbursement for any costs associated with providing capability statements will be provided by the VHA.