36C24426Q0042 – VAPHS HISTOPATHOLOGY STAINING

This Sources Sought is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this notice is marked as proprietary and 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 notice. This notice is being issued in an attempt to determine the level of interest among all socioeconomic groups. Responses will assist VA planners in determining an appropriate acquisition and set-aside strategy which best fits VA requirements.

This action is to perform market research to determine if there is a sufficient number of qualified (1) Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business; (2) Veteran Owned Small Business; (3) Small or emerging small business firms; or (4) large business firms to set aside a multiple award contract.

SCOPE OF WORK: The intent of this Contract is to have one five-year IDIQ contract for contractor shall provide all resources necessary to accomplish the deliverables described in this Performance Work Statement (PWS) for histopathology staining including Quality control, reagents, instrumentation, and the cost all reagents of histopathology staining.  Shipping and handling charges would be factored into the cost of the reagents. VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS) will issue a reagent usage (Reagent Rental) for instrument use, supplies, installation, training, and servicing of the equipment (for the life of agreement) as identified below. 

Attached is a DRAFT copy of the PWS. Please review for additional information.

The anticipated contract issued will be one five-year IDIQ.

All interested firms who can meet the requirement should respond, in writing, and provide the following:

1. Please describe your business in a Capabilities Statement.

2. Please provide your SAM UEI number.

3. Please provide your location / address.

4. What is your Socio-Economic status?

- If you are a SDVOSB/VOSB, are you capable of signing VAAR 852.219-75?

5. Will travel be required from contractor to implement and deploy reagent rental contract of histopathology staining which may include testing, training, installation, and servicing of equipment?

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Pittsburgh VA Medical Center anticipates a Reagent Rental Usage Agreement from this Request for Quote using FAR Part 12 Commercial Item procedures. VAPHS will issue a reagent usage (Reagent Rental) for instrument use, supplies, installation, training, and servicing of the equipment (for the life of agreement). Technical service and any upgrades to software will also be included in the cost of the contract. The contractor shall furnish VAPHS the laboratory instrument system(s) reagents to include detection kits for IHC and for probes/in-situ hybridization (ISH) and reagents for Simple and Complex Special Stains. The contractor will provide technical support necessary to operate the contractor’s equipment, hardware and software upgrades, training for personnel and equipment maintenance necessary to fulfill the test requirements. VAPHS will pay for the test assays performed on the contractor’s equipment. The Reagent Rental price shall include (a) equipment use (reagent rental), (b) detection kits, simple stains and complex stains, (c) all necessary maintenance to keep the equipment in operating condition, (d) operational hardware and software upgrades, (e) user training for government personnel, (f) complete service support, and (h) reagent delivery costs. The contractor shall deliver, install, and disassemble equipment (upon contract expiration at no additional cost to the VAPHS).

Provide this information to the Contracting Specialist, Yazmin Alvarez at Yazmin.alvarez@va.gov no later than 12:00 pm (Eastern Time), Friday, October 24, 2025.

Solicitation 36C24426Q0042 – VAPHS Histopathology Staining has been assigned and should be referenced on all correspondence regarding this announcement. The NAICS Code 334516 is applicable to this acquisition, with a Business Size Standard of 1,000 employees. Interested firms are reminded that in accordance with FAR 4.12, prospective contractors shall complete electronic annual representations and certifications in conjunction with FAR 4.11 required registration in the Systems for Award Management (SAM) database prior to award of a contract.

See attached document: PWS Histopathology Staining - DRAFT