Fully Signed and Approved SSJ LabCorp Ref Lab Bridge

36C244-26-AP-2689 | VISN 4 Reference Laboratory Services

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

RESTRICTING COMPETITION USING SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES

FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAR 12.102

This justification aligns with the deviation outlined in the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) for FAR 12.201-1 Simplified Acquisition Procedures, as required by Executive Order (E.O.) 14275, Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement, signed April 15, 2025. Deviation effective date: October 14, 2025.

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C244-26-AP-2689
1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Integrated Service Network 04 (VISN04), VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS), Network Contracting Office 4 (NCO4) in support of VISN 4 Healthcare and Medical Facilities.
2237/PR Number: 481-26-4-941-0063
2. Nature and Description of the Action Being Processed: The VISN 4 healthcare facilities require the procurement of a one-year Firm-Fixed Priced Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity bridge contract for Reference Laboratory Services. Award shall be made through a sole source to Laboratory Corporation of America.
The use of a short-term, one-year ID/IQ is necessary at this time as there were several previous protests lodged across the country against pending VA Reference Laboratory Testing services contracts. Protests were based upon statutory requirements for VA to set aside contracts for SDVOSB concerns. These protests as well as significant staff resources for credentialing, oversight, training, and contract administration have impacted the VISN 04 efforts to award a new contract via a competitive action. A long-term contract is anticipated to be solicited and awarded in FY 2027. As such, this action is a “sole source” follow-on contract is required in order to continue these critical healthcare services.
This sole source justification was not submitted within the originally anticipated timeframe by the contracting office. Although this document is not timely in relation to the contract period of performance, it is being executed to ensure full transparency, proper oversight, and compliance with all applicable acquisition regulations.
3. Description of Services Required to Meet the Agency’s Needs: Reference laboratory testing and pathology services that include pickup and transport of specimens to its laboratory; pre-analytic processing defined in its laboratory user’s manual; analysis, reporting analytic results, and consultation regarding selection, collection, transportation, and result interpretation.