Q301--Intent to Sole Source VISN 6 Reference Laboratory Testing and Courier Services

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD SOLE SOURCE Project Title: Reference Laboratory Testing and Courier Services for VISN 6 Announcement No.: 36C24622Q0022 The Government hereby submits a notice of intent to award a sole source Firm-Fixed-Price, delivery order, for commercial services for reference laboratory testing and courier services for Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) 6. This requirement is for a full range of referral laboratory services which includes patient testing, specimen processors, and courier services throughout VISN 6. The total estimated value is $9,556,604.80. Quest Diagnostics, Inc. currently holds awarded BPA no. 36C24618A0018 awarded on 4/18/2018 for $23,898,917.70. This BPA was expected to be used until April 30, 2023, but obligations against this BPA have exceeded the award amount in part due to the pandemic and year over year increases in our patient population. The Contracting Officer (CO) has decided that VISN 6 can no longer continue to use this BPA. Therefore, the CO has concluded the need for bridge contract for continuation of services for VISN 6 is required by 10/1/2021. Due to urgent need of this requirement a sole source to Quest Diagnostics, Inc. who are currently providing the current services to VISN 6 provides the Government with the least amount of risk to ensure continuation of services, while the Government is able to put together a competitive procurement package. Reference laboratory testing is a crucial mission essential need that ensures early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases in patients. Any lapses in this service would be detrimental to our Veteran patient s health and safety. Responses to this notice must demonstrate clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government, would not be cost or time prohibitive, and would not hinder the mission objective of VISN 6. The determination not to compete this proposed contract action is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered for the purposes of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The Government will not be responsible for any costs incurred by responding to this notice. This is not a request for quote or proposals. Questions or comments to this Notice of Intent should be directed to Contracting Specialist, Isaac Hernandez at [email protected] (no phone calls/voice mail messages regarding questions will be accepted and will not received a response). Please indicate in the subject of your email: Notice of Intent Question Submission 36C24622Q0022.