L076--VISN 10 - Online Clinical Drug Information

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to industry questions regarding Solicitation 36C25026Q0379 for "VISN 10 - Online Clinical Drug Information".

• Trial License Agreement for System Access: A vendor inquired about a point of contact for a Trial License Agreement required for the 45-day temporary system access as per the SOW. The government clarified that any trial license agreement must be provided directly to the Contracting Officer (Joshua.Kovar@VA.gov) prior to the solicitation deadline.
  • The agreement must explicitly state that the trial access is provided at no cost to the Government.
  • The purpose of the trial is for evaluating the Comprehensive Drug Reference Database response.
  • This ensures the evaluating panel can access the database immediately after the deadline.

This amendment clarifies the process for submitting trial license agreements, ensuring timely access for the evaluation panel. Bidders should ensure they send any required trial license agreements to the Contracting Officer at the specified email address before the solicitation response deadline.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to industry questions regarding Solicitation 36C25026Q0379 for VISN 10 - Online Clinical Drug Information. The questions primarily focus on Quality Control & Support, specifically concerning on-site training.

• On-site Training: The government explicitly states there will be no on-site training. Any requested training will be conducted virtually. Costs for training and all other deliverables must be included in the firm-fixed price.
• Training Sessions: If training is requested, it will be scheduled at the direction of the VISN POC. Up to four virtual sessions per year may be held and will be available to any VISN 10 users.
• Bed Count Data: A table is provided listing the authorized bed counts for all VISN 10 VA Medical Centers (VAMCs) and associated Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

This amendment clarifies that on-site training is not required and all costs should be incorporated into the firm-fixed price. It also provides specific bed count data for VISN 10 facilities.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) used by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to gather information on a contractor's past performance. It is intended to be completed by a reference who has direct knowledge of the contractor's work on a specific project.

• Contractor/Offeror Information: Details about the contractor and the specific contract being referenced.
• General Work Information: How the work was performed (e.g., Offering Entity, Predecessor Companies, Key Personnel) and the percentage of work performed by each.
• Contract Information: Contract number, type, title, location, award dates, and original/final contract prices.
• Reference Information: Contact details for the Contracting Officer (CO) or their representative.
• Project Description: Type of work performed and identification of key personnel.
• Detailed Description of Work Performed: A narrative section for the reference to describe the project.
• Explanation of Relevancy to Solicitation Requirements: How the past project relates to the current solicitation.
• Rating Sections: Detailed evaluation criteria across Quality, Schedule/Timeliness, Customer Satisfaction, Management/Personnel/Labor, Cost/Financial Management, Safety/Security, and General performance. Ratings include Exceptional (E), Very Good (VG), Satisfactory (S), Marginal (M), Unsatisfactory (U), and Not Applicable (N).
• Summary: A question on whether the reference would hire the firm again, with a comments section for detailed feedback, strengths, weaknesses, and deficiencies.

This form is crucial for bidders as it outlines the specific criteria the government will use to evaluate their past performance. Understanding these criteria helps bidders prepare their own past performance narratives and ensure their references are well-briefed to provide accurate and favorable feedback. The detailed rating categories highlight the government's priorities and expectations for successful contract execution.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a solicitation (RFQ) for an Online Clinical Drug Information Resource service for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) VISN 10, serving medical facilities across Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. The service is intended for use by pharmacy staff to provide current, evidence-based medication therapy information.

• A commercial, online, web-based pharmaceutical reference database accessible 24/7.

• Comprehensive drug content including medication monographs, Black Box Warnings, REMS details, off-label usage, pregnancy/lactation information, hazardous drug screening, and administration guidance.

• A drug interaction database with severity ratings and management recommendations.

• Clinical tools such as disease management guidelines, comparative tables, alternative medicine monographs, medical calculators, patient education materials, and an IV compatibility database.

• A single unified search interface with advanced functions.

• Access via VA and non-VA networked devices, including mobile platforms (iOS and Android).

• Compliance with Section 508 accessibility requirements (VPAT/ACR required).

• System uptime of 99% and search results within 2 seconds.

• 24/7 technical support.

• Period of Performance: Base Period (July 15, 2026 – July 14, 2027) with four (4) Option Years extending through July 14, 2031.

• NAICS Code: 513210 (Software Publishers) with a size standard of $47.0 Million.

• Product/Service Code (PSC): L076 (Technical Representative – Books/Maps/Publications).

• Response Date: April 1, 2026, 13:30 Eastern Time.

• Questions Deadline: March 25, 2026, 13:30 EST.

• Submission Method: Email to Joshua.Kovar@VA.gov.

• Evaluation Factors: Comparative evaluation of Administrative, Technical, Past Performance, and Price. Award will be made to the most advantageous offer.

• Technical Evaluation: Includes a mandatory 45-day temporary access for evaluation and submission of a current VPAT/ACR.

• This solicitation is set aside exclusively for Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB).

• Vendors must provide OEM authorization for resale/distribution.

• All questions must be submitted via email to the Contracting Officer.

• Offerors must complete and submit VAAR 852.219-75 (Limitations on Subcontracting) in its entirety.