SAM #IHS1532024

Sole-source laboratory proficiency testing for Red Lake Service Unit

IHS intends to procure laboratory proficiency testing for Red Lake Hospital and Ponemah Clinic Laboratories through a proposed sole-source contract with American Proficiency Institute (API). - Agency and scope: HHS’s Indian Health Service (IHS), Bemidji Area, seeks proficiency-testing services for all test systems at the Red Lake Service Unit laboratories. - Proposed provider and rationale: American Proficiency Institute (API) is identified as the only source able to cover all test systems. The notice describes the provider as Analytical Products Institute (API); the attachment identifies it as American Proficiency Institute. - Requirements: The provider must be CMS-approved and support CLIA licensure and The Joint Commission accreditation. Services include proficiency-testing materials and events, shipping, technical support, continuing education, and report evaluation. Materials must be reserved before December 1, 2026. - Performance and contract terms: Final reports must show acceptable or unacceptable performance. Consecutive events involving the same unknown material trigger performance monitoring and, when required, remedial action and suspension of patient testing until satisfactory performance is demonstrated. The contemplated firm-fixed-price contract has a base period and four option years. - Estimated value and notice status: The attachment estimates the total value at $77,146.54. This is a notice of intent to award sole-source, not a request for competitive quotes; interested sources may submit capability information for Government consideration.

Description

NOTICE OF INTENT TO ISSUE SOLE SOURCE AWARD

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Indian Health Service (IHS), Bemidji Area intends to award a Firm Fixed Priced Contract on a sole source basis to Analytical Products Institute (API) for Red Lake Indian Hospital, Red Lake, MN. The anticipated period of performance will be a Base plus 4 Option Years.

This Intent to Sole Source is in accordance with FAR Part 12 Acquisition of Commercial Items.  Under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other will satisfy agency requirements, the Government intends to award a Firm-Fixed price Sole Source contract to Analytical Products Institute as only one source reasonably available.

Special requirements exist under this acquisition due to the requirements and standards that must be met for CLIA and TJC. The Contractor shall be a CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) approved Proficiency Provider as required to maintain TJC accreditation and CLIA licensure. Upon completion of testing and submittal of PT unknown samples, the PT results are provided to the Laboratory in a final report. This report indicated acceptable or unacceptable testing performance. The Laboratory's long-term testing performance must be monitored to ensure consecutive reported Proficiency testing events of the same unknown PT material does not occur. Should consecutive reported testing events occur, the Laboratory shall take remedial action and cease patient testing until satisfactory performance can be proven. Analytical Products Institute is the only vendor that possesses the capability to provide PT material for all test systems on the Red Lake Service Unit test menus.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 621511, Medical Laboratories with a size standard of 41.5M.

Point of contact for this acquisition is Contract Specialist Mary Simon, mary.simon2@ihs.gov. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit a quote to Contract Specialist Mary Simon, mary.simon2@ihs.gov.

Information received in response to this notice will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. 

Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government. In doing so, interested sources must submit technical capabilities, and other information that demonstrates their ability to meet the Government's needs.

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