Q517--PHARMACY BENEFITS SERVICES | WICHITA |
VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF.VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF.255-NETWORK CONTRACT OFFICE 15 (36C255) · Response deadline: Mon, 23 Nov 2026
What the government is buying
The Department of Veterans Affairs is soliciting offers for pharmacy benefits services. The classification code Q517 indicates this is a service contract for professional health-related services, specifically in the pharmacy benefits management space. This type of work typically involves administering prescription drug programs, which for the VA may include claims processing, formulary management, pharmacy network administration, and related services supporting veteran healthcare.
The VA operates one of the nation's largest integrated healthcare systems, serving approximately 9 million enrolled veterans. Pharmacy benefits services contracts in this context generally support the distribution and management of prescription medications across VA medical centers, outpatient clinics, and other care settings. See the solicitation for the complete statement of work, performance requirements, and any specific service delivery model anticipated.
NAICS code 524292 corresponds to Third Party Administration of Insurance and Pension Funds. This classification covers establishments primarily engaged in providing administrative services for insurance and employee benefit programs, including claims processing and benefits administration—aligning with pharmacy benefits management functions.
Key facts
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Veterans Affairs, Department of. 255-Network Contract Office 15 |
| Notice type | Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | 36C25527Q0015 |
| NAICS | 524292 |
| Set-aside | None (full and open competition) |
| Response deadline | November 23, 2026, at 1:00 PM Central Time |
| Place of performance | Not specified in notice metadata |
Who can bid
This solicitation is full and open competition with no small business set-aside. Any responsible offeror capable of performing pharmacy benefits administration work may submit a bid, including large businesses, small businesses of any socioeconomic category, and qualifying organizations not restricted by competitive status.
Small businesses may still compete, but they will face competition from firms of all sizes. Given the specialized nature of pharmacy benefits management and typical scale of VA healthcare contracts, interested small businesses should realistically assess their capacity against established players in the pharmacy benefits management (PBM) industry. The absence of a set-aside means no preference for small business status, but also no restriction on participation.
How to put together a competitive bid
For pharmacy benefits services, evaluators typically assess both technical capability and price. Consider these practical steps:
Demonstrate healthcare administration experience. Past performance with federal or commercial pharmacy benefits programs carries significant weight. Document specific metrics: claims volumes processed, accuracy rates, average turnaround times, and beneficiary populations served. See the solicitation for required experience thresholds.
Address VA-specific requirements. Understand VA formulary structures, federal procurement regulations (FAR/VAAR), and veteran-centered care principles. If you lack direct VA experience, highlight comparable federal health programs (TRICARE, Medicare Part D, FEHB).
Price strategically. PBM contracts often involve complex pricing models—spread pricing, pass-through arrangements, or administrative fee structures. See the solicitation for the pricing methodology and any required cost breakdowns.
Validate technical infrastructure. Pharmacy claims processing requires robust IT systems capable of real-time adjudication, eligibility verification, and reporting. Be prepared to demonstrate system certifications and security compliance (likely FISMA/FedRAMP requirements; see the solicitation).
Assemble subcontractor relationships if needed. Small firms may strengthen bids by partnering with specialized pharmacy network administrators, claims processors, or compliance consultants—provided the solicitation permits teaming arrangements.
Next steps
Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number 36C25527Q0015. The complete document will contain the statement of work, evaluation criteria, mandatory representations, and detailed instructions for proposal preparation and submission.
Note the deadline: Responses are due November 23, 2026, at 1:00 PM Central Time. Allow adequate time for SAM.gov registration, document preparation, and submission system familiarization if not already registered in the System for Award Management.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →