6550--Blood Culture Detection, ID and Susceptibility Testing

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a solicitation for Blood Culture Detection, Identification, and Susceptibility Testing. The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 2, is seeking to procure these services for the James J. Peters VA Medical Center.

While the attached document "JFOC_Redacted _2." is referenced for detailed requirements, the subject line indicates the core need is for blood culture detection, identification, and susceptibility testing.

This appears to be an award notice, not a solicitation document. The award number is 36C24226A0027, with an award date of 05-04-2026 and an award amount of $0.00. The awardee is BIOMERIEUX INC.

Information regarding proposal submission and evaluation criteria is not present in this extract, as it seems to be an award notice.

No specific set-aside information is provided in this extract.

• Contracting Office: Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 2, Bronx NY 10468-3904.
• Solicitation Number: 36C24226Q0333.
• Product Service Code: 6550.
• NAICS Code: 334516.
• Point of Contact: Wilmen Joa, Wilmen.Joa@va.gov.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Sole Source Justification for a firm-fixed-price, single-award Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for Blood Culture Detection, Identification, and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing and consumable supplies. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), VISN 02, James J. Peters VA Medical Center, is seeking to procure these critical services for multiple VA Medical Centers (VAMCs) including James J. Peters VA Medical Center, East Orange VA Medical Center, Margaret Cochran Corbin VA Campus, Northport VA Medical Center, and Hudson Valley, Castle Point VA Medical Center.

• Bacterial identification system (Vitek MS Prime)

• Susceptibility system (Vitek 2XL or Vitek 2)

• Cost-Per-Kit (CPK) basis for Blood Culture, Identification, and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing

• System capable of identifying yeast species

• Blood culture incubation and growth detection system (Bact/Alert Virtuo) with compatible collection containers

• Alert system for clinical laboratory areas

• Common middleware solution (Maestra)

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) BPA

• Period of Performance: One base year with four one-year options.

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but approvals go up to $90 million.

This document is a justification for sole source procurement, not a solicitation for proposals. Evaluation criteria are not applicable in this context.

Competition is restricted to "Only One Responsible Source" per FAR 12.201-1. Market research indicated no other small businesses (SDVOSB, VOSB) or other vendors could meet the unique requirements, including the identification of yeast species. Biomerieux Inc. is identified as the sole capable vendor and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

• The procurement is justified under FAR 12.201-1 for restricting competition.
• Market research was conducted from January 2026 through March 2026.
• Prices are determined to be fair and reasonable, with a potential 3% increase in Option Years 2 and 4.
• The Buy American Act (BAA) applies and will be reviewed.
• The VA will continue to monitor the marketplace for changes in vendor availability and emerging technologies for future acquisitions.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a Notice of Intent to award a sole-source, firm-fixed-price contract to Biomerieux Inc. for Blood Culture Detection, Identification, and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing. This is a logical follow-on to an existing contract to ensure continuity of patient care.

• Consumables and supplies for Blood Culture Detection, Identification, and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing.

• Support for contractor-owned equipment currently on-site at VA facilities.

• Cost-per-kit (CPK) services.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed-Price

• Period of Performance: The current contract expires March 31, 2026. The new contract will cover the period from 04/01/2026 through 03/31/2031.

• Locations: James J. Peters (Bronx) VAMC, East Orange VAMC (NJ), Margaret Cochran Corbin VA Campus, Northport VAMC.

• This notice is NOT a request for competitive proposals. No solicitation will be made available.

• Responses received by COB February 12, 2026, will be considered for future procurement source determination.

• Information submitted is voluntary and will not be paid for.

• NAICS Code: 334516 (Diagnostic Product Manufacturing)

• Small Business Standard: 1,000 employees.

• This is a sole-source award to Biomerieux Inc.

• This is the only notice of the government's intent to award to a single source for this requirement.