Q--Reference Laboratory Testing Services for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs VISN23 Laboratories located in MN, ND, SD, IA, NE

This is a Sources Sought Notice. No bid documents are available at this time. The Veteran's Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Minneapolis, MN intends to secure Reference Laboratory Testing services for the Medical Center Laboratories located throughout the Veterans Integrated Service Network 23 (VISN23), this includes VAMCs in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska. Services shall include all required labor, equipment, supplies, and shipping/courier services as needed to meet the requirements for a wide range of specialized laboratory testing in areas of hematology, chemistry, coagulation, microbiology, molecular biology and genetic testing, virology, clinical and anatomic pathology, and oncology to include specialized pathology support in specialized pathology areas. Services are to be provided per Statement of Work below: Contractor shall provide laboratory testing services to include: List of tests with reference ranges, specimen requirements, pick up and transport of specimens from VAMC to contractor's laboratory; processing and analysis of the specimen; and reporting of analytic results through electronic communication to the VA Medical Centers' Laboratory Information System and computerized patient record. Consultation regarding selection, collection, transportation and result interpretation shall also be provided when required. The contractor must provide the following services: (a) Provide all supplies necessary to transport the specimens to include: (1) Lab test request forms (it is possible that vendor may need to customize forms to include information required by the VA) (2) Specimen shipping containers (3) Special instructions for handling of specimen (b) Provide specimen pick-up services as required (c) Transport samples in such a manner as to ensure the integrity of the specimen. Contractor will supply any special preservatives required for specimen preservation. All specimens, including frozen specimens, shall be shipped in containers provided by contractor. Note: The contractor must be responsible for transporting and storing specimens for at least 7 days from the completed date of testing in such a manner as to insure the integrity of the specimen where applicable. (d) Analyze samples. (e) Routine test results shall be reported within 24 hours of specimen pick-up. STAT test results shall be reported within 8 hours of specimen pick-up. Exceptions to Routine or STAT times may exist when a test that is required has a processing time longer than those stated above in accordance with the test set-up schedule as submitted by contractor with their offer. (f) Contractor shall provide a monthly billing for tests provided by the 20th of each month following the month in which the service was delivered. (g) Contractor shall consult with VA Laboratory on test results by telephone as needed. (h) Provide the VA Laboratories with a means of communication to permit immediate inquiry regarding the status of pending test. (i) Contractor shall provide software, required licenses, driver, and hardware required for the reporting of analytic results through electronic communication to the VA Medical Centers. (j) A Laboratory User's Manual or similar documentation will be provided to each VA Laboratory. The manual shall include a list of all tests that the Contractor can provide along with the testing methodology used for each test, test reference ranges, and specimen requirements and any special handling required. (k) The VA Laboratory reserves the right to submit split samples to the contractor as part of its internal quality control program. These split samples are not subject to a charge. (l) The VA Laboratory reserves the right to request the results of any proficiency testing that the contractor subscribes. Companies with the ability to provide these services are requested to notify Linda Kelly, Contracting Administrative Support Officer at the address in this announcement by 3:30 PM CST on January 29, 2010.