THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. This notice does NOT constitute a request for quote (RFQ), request for proposal (RFP), or invitation for bid (IFB). No solicitation is currently available. This Sources Sought is issued solely for information and planning purposes to conduct market research and determine the availability and capability of qualified sources prior to determining the appropriate acquisition strategy.
I. General Information
- Agency/Office: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS), Dallas, TX.
- Place of Performance: VA North Texas Health Care System, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS), Microbiology Laboratory, Dallas, Texas.
- Anticipated NAICS: 541380 Testing Laboratories and Services
- Anticipated PSC: 6640 Laboratory Equipment and Supplies.
The Government is seeking to identify responsible vendors capable of providing Blood Bank Cost Per Test Reagents, brand name or equal, configured and supported with Government owned Ortho Workstations in the Transfusion Medicine Unit Room 1B-306, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Services at VANTHCS.
II. Description of Requirement
Transfusion Medicine Unit, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Services (P&LMS) at the VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS), Dallas, TX is seeking a fully automated gel instrument and reagents to perform Type & Screen testing with antibody ID panels, Direct Antiglobulin test, IS and AHG crossmatches and the capability to test for antigens.
Contract type will be cost per test with analyzer included.
The contemplated purchase includes, at a minimum:
The Contractor shall provide reagents, consumables, and supplies as requested by VANTHCS staff to perform blood bank testing for the analyzer.
Estimated quantities shown below are for annual requirements.
Group I Estimated Yearly Test Volume:
Assay
Est. Annual Test Volume
ABO/RH
7,800
Antibody Screen
4,000
Antibody Identification (with
Selected Cell Panels capabilities)
60
Direct Antiglobulin Test-IgG, C3d
200
Immediate Spin Crossmatch
100
AHG Crossmatch
400
ABD Group Forward type
500
O Group Forward type
500
Group II Estimated Yearly Reagents & Consumables Requirements:
Reagents & Consumables
Est. Annual Volume
A/B Group
500
A/B/D Group
500
A/B/D Mono & Reverse Group
7,800
DAT Card (IgG & C3d)
200
Anti-IgG Card
4,000
Buffered Gel Card
200
7% Bovine Serum Albumin
32
Evaporation Caps for Reagent Red Cells
2
Diluent 2
4
Diluent 2 Plus
7
Group II Estimated Yearly Traditional Reagents Requirements:
Traditional Reagents Standing Order with Scheduled Delivery Schedule.
Est. Annual Volume
0.8% A1 Cell and B Cell (0.8% Affirmagen)
78
0.8% Panel B
13
0.8% Panel C
13
0.8% Antibody Screen Cells 3 Cells (0.8% Surgiscreen)
78
Daily QC Kit
52
Location: The analyzer shall be located, and testing will be performed in Transfusion Medicine Unit, Room 1B-306, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service, VA North Texas Health Care System, 4500 S. Lancaster Rd., Dallas, TX 75216.
Delivery: Within 60 days of the contract award the vendor will deliver the analyzer and reagents to VA North Texas Health Care System, 4500 S. Lancaster Rd., Dallas, TX 75216.
III. Performance requirements:
Performance Requirements: The following are required:
Installation Requirements:
Deliver, install, and set up the instrument (automated analyzer) and components.
Deliver one manual testing platform (equipment)
Provide test validation guidance and validation supplies.
Testing Requirements:
ABO/RH
Antibody Screen (3 Cells)
Direct Antiglobulin Test (DAT)
Antibody Identification (with Selected Cell Panels Capabilities)
Immediate Spin Crossmatch
AHG Crossmatch
Antigen Testing Capabilities
Antibody Titration (with automated serial dilutions) Capabilities
System Requirements:
The system must contain continuous, random and STAT access technology.
The system must have minimal daily maintenance and tracking capabilities when maintenance has been completed.
The system should have technology to prevent sample carryover.
The system must feature error-proof reagent and commodity design with built-in safeguards to prevent reagent mix-ups, probe crashes and unnecessary downtime.
Sample carriers must be capable of utilizing different tube sizes in one carrier, thus avoiding the need for pre-analytic sorting.
The system must have automatic cap, clot and liquid level detection capabilities.
The system must not utilize proprietary system liquids.
The system must offer up to 24 hours of walkaway time.
When operational, the system must always be in a ready mode and at no time go into a hibernation or sleep state.
The system must be able to run selected cell antibody identification panels.
The optical resolution of the onboard camera must be at least 5-megapixel resolution down to 32 x 32 microns and store a digital image of both the front and back of each gel card to record test results.
A fully loaded waste container shall not weigh more than 11 lbs. and be accessible at waist height.
Connectivity Requirements: (Note: Does not use the following software: Windows XP Embedded Service Pack 3, Windows Server 2003 or Windows XP.)
System is fully interfaced (bidirectional) with VistA via Data Innovations: System accommodates reporting through Data Innovations (DI) to eliminate the need for manual data entry.
IV. Submission Instructions
Interested and capable vendors should submit an electronic capability statement and include the place of manufacture for all equipment and reagents via email in PDF or Word format by July 27, 2026, by 9:00 AM Central Standard Time.
- Teresa Arzola Â
- Email: Teresa.arzola@va.gov Â
- Subject line: Sources Sought Blood Bank Cost Per Test Reagents VA North Texas HCS Â
No telephone inquiries will be accepted. Responses received will be used solely for market research and planning purposes to assist the Government in determining an appropriate acquisition strategy (e.g., small business set aside or unrestricted).
Submission of a capability statement is voluntary and shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or award a contract, nor will the Government pay for information submitted in response to this Sources Sought.
