How to bid on Emergent Reference Lab Testing for the VA

What the VA is buying and why it matters

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking information from laboratories that can provide urgent and specialized testing services for patient samples. These are tests that cannot be performed at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston, SC. This is a chance for labs to show their capabilities in supporting critical patient care.

The required services include a range of tests such as Mycobacteria Stains, Microbiology Specimens, Immunoperoxidase Stains, Therapeutic Drugs, Bone Marrow Workups, and Clotting Factor assays. Most STAT or emergent test results are needed within 24 hours or less to support patient care.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This is a Request for Information (RFI), published on November 13, 2025. The deadline for responses is November 19, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET. At the deadline, the VA will stop accepting submissions. An RFI is used by the agency to gather information and understand market capabilities; it is not a request for proposals and does not guarantee a future contract.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for laboratories with the capacity to perform a broad spectrum of specialized and urgent medical tests. Firms with expertise in microbiology, pathology, toxicology, and hematology, particularly those that can meet rapid turnaround times for critical patient samples, would find this relevant. The category for this RFI is healthcare.

How to respond

To access the full details of this opportunity, you will need to go to the original source portal. Click the “View original source” link. If the first click takes you to the portal's homepage, click the link again to go directly to the bid. You may need a free account on the portal to view all documents, though this is not always required for every bid.

Tips for preparing a competitive response to an RFI

When responding to an RFI, focus on clearly demonstrating your laboratory's capabilities and capacity to meet the stated requirements. Highlight your experience with urgent and specialized testing, your ability to handle a variety of specimen types, and your track record for meeting strict turnaround times. Provide specific examples of how your lab can support the types of tests mentioned, such as Mycobacteria Stains or Bone Marrow Workups.

Ensure your response is well-organized and directly addresses each point raised in the RFI. Even though it's not a formal proposal, a clear and comprehensive response can help the agency understand your value and potentially shape future solicitations. Pay close attention to any specific questions or information requests included in the RFI document itself.