SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE/PRE-SOL - Referral Laboratory Services for Specialized Red Cell Immunohematology Testing

Purpose: The Department of Veterans Affairs intends to issue a solicitation for the procurement of services from a qualified referral laboratory capable of providing the services of an Immunohematology referral laboratory accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks to conduct specialized testing for the identification of unknown antibodies in patients who are unable to receive compatible blood transfusions. This testing supports the identification and resolution of unknown antibodies and complex red cell transfusion related issues in patients to ensure the safe transfusion of compatible blood to our patients. Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 16, in support of VISN 16, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System s Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service, located at 4300 West 7th Street, Little Rock, AR 72205. Requirement Description: The selected referral laboratory shall provide advanced testing services including, but not limited to: Identification of unknown red cell antibodies. Resolution of complex serologic problems affecting transfusion compatibility. Performance of specialized immunohematology procedures beyond the capabilities of the local VA laboratory. Timely reporting of results and consultation with VA transfusion medicine personnel as needed to support urgent or emergent patient care. These specialized services are essential to ensure the safe transfusion of compatible blood products to Veteran patients who present with atypical, rare, or complex serologic profiles. Anticipated Contract Type: The Government anticipates awarding a firm fixed price IDIQ contract. Further details will be provided in the forthcoming solicitation. Anticipated NAICS Code: NAICS 621511 Medical Laboratories (or the most closely aligned NAICS code applicable to reference laboratory services). Set Aside Status: The Government will determine set aside applicability after completion of market research. Interested small businesses are encouraged to respond once the solicitation is posted. Planned Solicitation Release: The solicitation is expected to be published on SAM.gov. This notice is not a request for quotations or proposals. No award will be made based on this notice. The Government is not requesting capability statements at this time. Interested and capable contractors are encouraged to respond to this notice not later than Monday, August 31, 2026, at 8:00 AM CDT, by providing all the information below via email only to arlene.blade@va.gov : Company name Address Point of contact Phone, fax, and email of primary point of contact Contractor s Unique Entity ID (SAM) number Contractor s small business type,  if applicable, (e.g. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), 8(a), HUB-Zone, Woman Owned Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, or Small Business). Statement indicating whether  the Contractor is considered to be small under the size standard for the NAICS code identified under this RFI. 8. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to comply with the above requirement. 9. Manufacturer authorization letter, authorized dealer, authorized distributor, or authorized reseller documentation. NOTE:  The information requested above is required for the Government to evaluate whether there are sufficient small business concerns of a particular type who are capable of performing the work required by this procurement to determine if this procurement should be set aside for a given type of small business concern.  Telephone inquiries will not be accepted. All Contractors who provide goods or services to the United States Government must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database found at https://www.sam.gov.   Registration must include Representations and Certifications.  --End of Sources Sought Announcement-- DISCLAIMER This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation.  All information received in response to this RFI 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 RFI.