Sole Source Posting - Research Triangle Institute International

Statement of Work Semi-Annual Inspections and Quarterly Proficiency Testing to maintain National Laboratory Certification Program certification, which allows the Minneapolis VA Medical Center to continue performing workplace drug testing.

1. Basic Requirement: The Minneapolis VA Healthcare System Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, 1 Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55417, hereinafter referred to as the MVAHCS has a requirement for a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) approved organization to ensure that the MVAHCS Forensic Toxicology Laboratory maintains its compliance with the Department of Health and Human Services National Laboratory Certification Program (NLCP) to perform Workplace Drug Testing for the Veteran Administration Medical Centers in the United States.

To do this, MVAHCS will need to contract with a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) approved organization to perform inspections and provide maintenance proficiency testing which is required to maintain the certification. Currently the MVAHCS is classified as a Category 2 Laboratory.

Based on that classification, the minimum requirement needed by MVAHCS is two inspections per year, performed bi-annually in March and September, and four proficiency testing cycles per year, performed quarterly in October, January, April, and July.

In the event the National Laboratory Certification Program (NLCP) standards change or MVAHCS moves classification categories, additional inspections and proficiency testing maybe added, subtracted, or modified if required by MVAHCS to maintain the NLCP certification to perform workplace drug testing. All modifications are to go through the VISN 23 contracting office to be prepared for signatures.

2. Estimated Quantities: The quantities as listed in the “Schedule of Items” are an estimation of the yearly requirements. The MVAHCS attempts to be as accurate as possible when providing estimated quantities, however, actual quantities required may vary from quantities as listed. A. Schedule of items:

1. Annual Maintenance Items:

a. Inspection Maintenance: two inspections, performed bi-annually.

b. Performance Testing Maintenance: four proficiency testing cycles, performed quarterly. These are other items potentially needed throughout the contract, but not maintenance item. These would only be added onto purchase orders, through modifications, when required: a. Remediation, Pre-Inspection b. Remediation, Post-Inspection c. Remediation, Major Error d. Remediation, Minor Error 3. Effective Date / Period of Performance: This contract effective date is requested to begin October 1, 2024, and will contain five annual ordering periods. Periods of Performance are as follows:

Base Ordering Period:

10/1/24-9/30/25 Ordering Period 1:

10/1/25-9/30/26 Ordering Period 2:

10/1/26-9/30/27 Ordering Period 3:

10/1/27-9/30/28 Ordering Period 4: 10/1/28-9/30/29 4. Changes in Responsible Person (RP) or Alternative Responsible Person (ALT RP): In the event the Responsible Person (RP) or Alternative Responsible Person (Alt-RP) need to be replaced by the MVAHCS, a modification to add the special inspection(s) and all proficiencies needed to determine the suitability can be added to this contract as a modification. Pricing for such requirements will be negotiated by the VISN 23 contracting office at the time of requirement. This is to insure the MVAHCS always has an RP and Alt-RP on staff.

5. Changes or Modifications: Changes in the terms and conditions of this contract may be made only by written agreement of the parties. All modifications for changes in the prices, terms or conditions of this contract will be prepared for signature by the VA Contracting Officer.