Q301--Specialized Medical Laboratory Testing Services, VA Palo Alto Health Care System
VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF.VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF.261-NETWORK CONTRACT OFFICE 21 (36C261) · Response deadline: Fri, 30 Oct 2026
What the government is buying
The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking specialized medical laboratory testing services for the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. This falls under Federal Supply Classification code Q301, which covers medical laboratory testing and examination services. These services typically include diagnostic testing performed on biological specimens—such as blood, tissue, urine, and other samples—to support patient diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring at VA medical facilities.
Medical laboratory services under this classification generally encompass clinical chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology, molecular diagnostics, and other specialized analyses. The VA Palo Alto Health Care System serves veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area and surrounding regions, operating as part of VA Network 21. The scope here is "specialized," suggesting the requirement may involve testing beyond routine clinical panels—potentially including esoteric assays, reference-level diagnostics, or technologies not available in-house. See the solicitation for the complete statement of work and specific testing modalities required.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contract Office 21 (36C261) |
| Notice type | Combined Synopsis/Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | 36C26126Q1110 |
| NAICS | 621511 — Medical Laboratories |
| Set-aside | None (full and open competition) |
| Response deadline | October 30, 2026, 10:00 AM Pacific Time |
| Place of performance | Not specified in metadata; see the solicitation |
Who can bid
This competition is full and open with no small-business set-aside, meaning businesses of any size may submit offers. That said, the 621511 NAICS code (Medical Laboratories) and specialized nature of this requirement create natural barriers to entry that may favor established laboratory operators.
Eligible bidders should expect to meet standard VA healthcare contractor requirements, including: CLIA certification (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) appropriate to the complexity of testing proposed; applicable state laboratory licenses; potentially CAP (College of American Pathologists) accreditation; and compliance with VA-specific healthcare regulations including patient privacy and data security protocols.
Small laboratories with specialized capabilities should not self-exclude, but should carefully assess whether their current certifications, equipment, and staffing can satisfy what is likely a comprehensive service requirement. The VA often requires 24-hour turnaround for stat tests, electronic results interfaces with VA systems, and dedicated customer service support—operational elements that see the solicitation for explicit confirmation.
How to put together a competitive bid
For medical laboratory service contracts, VA evaluations typically emphasize technical capability alongside price. Consider these elements:
Credentials and certifications: Lead with your CLIA certificate number, complexity level, CAP or Joint Commission accreditation status, and any specialty certifications relevant to the testing menu (e.g., molecular diagnostics, cytogenetics, toxicology).
Testing capability and capacity: Clearly map your available assays to the required test menu. Highlight any esoteric or send-out capabilities, instrumentation, and methodology. Specify reagent stability and supply chain resilience.
Information technology integration: Describe your Laboratory Information System (LIS), HL7/interface capabilities for connecting with VA electronic health records, and cybersecurity posture. The VA's increasing emphasis on interoperability makes this a discriminating factor.
Quality metrics: Provide historical performance data—turnaround times, critical value notification procedures, proficiency testing results, and quality control performance. Reference any VA or federal laboratory contracts currently held.
Personnel qualifications: Identify your medical director, technical supervisor(s), and key personnel with CVs emphasizing relevant subspecialty expertise.
Pricing structure: Laboratory contracts often use tiered per-test pricing, monthly minimums, or annual fixed-price arrangements. See the solicitation for the required pricing mechanism and ensure your cost buildup accounts for specimen transport, reagents, QC, reporting, and any after-hours coverage.
Given the one-day response window, evaluate carefully whether you can produce a compliant, complete proposal—this compressed timeline strongly suggests the VA may be exercising an option, using simplified acquisition procedures, or re-soliciting urgently.
Next steps
Read the full solicitation for 36C26126Q1110 on SAM.gov immediately. The deadline of October 30, 2026 at 10:00 AM Pacific Time allows minimal preparation time. Verify the place of performance, specific laboratory disciplines required, contract duration, and any subcontracting limitations. If pursuing, register in SAM.gov and confirm your entity's active status without delay. Contact the contracting officer listed in the solicitation with any clarifying questions, but expect limited opportunity for responses given the timeline.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →