Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
VACCHCS Pharmacy Certification
Department of Veterans Affairs
AI summaryThe Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contract Office 21, wants twice-a-year certification testing of two pharmacy sterile-compounding clean room suites (Buildings 1 and 24) at the Fresno VA Medical Center, California. It is one base year plus four one-year options, priced firm-fixed-price (FFP: one set price, whatever the work costs). No set-aside is used, but bidders need at least two technicians certified by the Controlled Environment Testing Association (CETA) who are based within 250 miles of Fresno. The response due date is November 2, 2026, 10:00 AM Eastern. More in the summary
AI summary Beta
The notice looks incomplete: Part of the main solicitation document was left out of what was read (from PWS section 10.1 through the early contract clauses). Check the full document on SAM.gov for other terms. Check the attachments on SAM.gov.
The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contract Office 21, wants twice-a-year certification testing of two pharmacy sterile-compounding clean room suites (Buildings 1 and 24) at the Fresno VA Medical Center, California. It is one base year plus four one-year options, priced firm-fixed-price (FFP: one set price, whatever the work costs). No set-aside is used, but bidders need at least two technicians certified by the Controlled Environment Testing Association (CETA) who are based within 250 miles of Fresno. The response due date is November 2, 2026, 10:00 AM Eastern.
Who can bid (4)
- At least two staff members with active CETA certification (Controlled Environment Testing Association), shown with certification documents in the quote
- Technicians based within a 250-mile radius of the Fresno VA, able to arrive by 0800 the next business day after being told to come
- Three examples of prior USP certification testing done within the last 5 years, following VHA Directives and USP standards
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- Active SAM registration and a Unique Entity ID number
How to submit: Email to cynthia.diezel@va.gov with the solicitation number in the subject line. What to include is under Full summary below. Check the solicitation's instructions on SAM.gov.
Things to watch (7)
From the version posted Oct 21, 2026.
- Serious: Two CETA-certified staff required. A firm without at least two technicians holding active CETA certification cannot meet the technical factor, and the quality plan treats any shortfall as a failure.
- Serious: Technicians within 250 miles of Fresno. Technicians must be located within 250 miles and be able to reach the Fresno VA by 0800 the next business day, which rules out firms based farther away.
- Worth checking: Out-of-cycle tests with next-day arrival. After a failed test or room change, the contractor must be on site by 0800 the next business day, so staff must be ready for next-day travel to Fresno.
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- Worth checking: Failing a standard can mean termination for default. The quality assurance surveillance plan (QASP: how the VA checks the work) allows no deviations on testing intervals, reports or staff certification, and says failure can end the contract.
- Minor: Report deadlines after each visit. A preliminary report is due by email within 24 hours of each semi-annual visit, and the final report within 30 days.
- Minor: USP chapter number differs in the evaluation text. The performance work statement (PWS) lists USP chapters 795, 797 and 800, but the instructions ask for experience with USP 799 and 800. The factors are also numbered 1, 2 and 4 with no Factor 3. Ask the contracting officer.
- Minor: Service Contract Act wage determination applies. Wage determination 2015-5609 for Fresno County is attached, so any covered employees must be paid at least those rates.
Read from the notice and 3 attachments. Show which files.
- 36C26127Q0099 - Fresno Pharmacy Cert.pdf (read)
- Attachment 1 - QASP.pdf (read)
- WD 2015-5609.pdf (read)
Full summary
What they want
- Test the Building 1 and Building 24 sterile compounding suites twice a year, no more than 180 days apart, to United States Pharmacopeia (USP) chapters 795, 797 and 800 and related standards
- Run the required tests: airflow and HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter leak tests, biological safety cabinet and laminar flow clean bench certification, smoke airflow studies on video, particle counts, room pressure and air exchange rates, pass-through box tests, and air and surface samples with lab identification
- Building 1 yearly line items include clean bench QTY 4.00 EA, viable air sample QTY 28.00 EA, viable surface sample QTY 28.00 EA, terminal air filter test QTY 8.00 EA, plus one out-of-cycle test (QTY 2.00 EA) and formal report (QTY 2.00 EA)
- Building 24 yearly line items include biological safety cabinet QTY 4.00 EA, viable air sample QTY 30.00 EA, viable surface sample QTY 40.00 EA, terminal air filter test QTY 14.00 EA, plus out-of-cycle test (QTY 2.00 EA) and formal report (QTY 2.00 EA)
- Put pass or fail condition stickers on all rooms and equipment before the technician leaves on the day of testing
- Email a preliminary report to the contracting officer's representative (COR: the VA staff member who oversees the work) within 24 hours of each visit, and a final digital report within 30 days
- Be ready for out-of-cycle certification tests after room changes or failed tests, arriving by 0800 the next business day after notice
- Name a contract manager and an alternate, and keep staff certifications current and on file with the contracting officer and COR
- Contract type
- Firm-fixed-price
- Period of performance
- 1 base year (February 5, 2027 to February 4, 2028) + 4 one-year options, through February 4, 2032
- Place of performance
- Fresno VA Medical Center, 2615 E. Clinton Ave., Fresno, CA 93703
- Estimated value
- Not stated
- How they'll choose
- Comparative evaluation under FAR Part 12 for the best offer on technical capability and past performance, with a competitive price. The Government may pick other than the lowest price and intends to award without exchanges (discussions).
- Offers due
- November 2, 2026, 10:00 AM Eastern
- How to submit
- Email to cynthia.diezel@va.gov with the solicitation number in the subject line
What they'll judge offers on
- Technical Qualifications: (a) active CETA certification documents for at least two employees, (b) evidence technicians are within 250 miles of the VA Central California Healthcare System, (c) three examples of USP certification testing done in the last 5 years
- Past Performance: Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS: the Government's contractor report card) and Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) records reviewed for recent (within 5 years) and relevant work, including work in the Fresno area
- Pricing (called Factor 4 in the documents): total of all line items, including options
What to include when you submit
- Email the quote to cynthia.diezel@va.gov with 36C26127Q0099 in the subject line. Attachments must open in Microsoft Office or Adobe PDF. Each email is limited to 5 megabytes, and several emails are allowed. Fax and mail are not accepted.
- Send each volume as its own PDF: Volume One – Technical, Volume Two – Past Performance, and Volume 3 - Price. Number all pages of the quote.
- Submit Standard Form 1449 (SF 1449: the form you sign and return as your offer) fully completed, and acknowledge all amendments.
- Technical volume: active CETA certification documents for at least two employees, evidence the technicians are within 250 miles of the VA Central California Healthcare System, and three examples of USP certification testing done in the last 5 years.
- Price volume: price every line item in the price schedule, including the option years. The Government adds all line items, including options, for the total price.
- Send questions by email to cynthia.diezel@va.gov no later than seven business days before the quote due date. Verbal questions are not accepted.
- Be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) with a Unique Entity ID (UEI) number.
After award, you must have
- Training evidence for each technician supplied to the VA before work starts, and again whenever a new person is added From 36C26127Q0099 - Fresno Pharmacy Cert.pdf:
Evidence of training shall be supplied to the VA prior to the start of work…
Current contractor
No incumbent is named. The PWS says the active compounding suites are currently tested in August and February.
Not in the notice text
- Part of the main solicitation document was left out of what was read (from PWS section 10.1 through the early contract clauses). Check the full document on SAM.gov for other terms.
- Whether a site visit is offered or required is not stated in the text that was read.
- The calendar date of the question deadline is not given. The text says seven business days before the quote due date.
- The Government's estimate for this contract is not stated.
- Page limits for the three volumes are not stated in the text that was read.
Eligibility and how to respond
- No set-aside: any business, large or small, can bid unless the notice says otherwise.
- How to submit, from the AI summary: Email to cynthia.diezel@va.gov with the solicitation number in the subject line. Check it in the notice before you send anything.
- Service contracts usually set minimum pay rates (the Service Contract Act). Price the labor with the SCA price calculator.
Notice details
- Posted
- Oct 21, 2026
- Notice type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- Office
- 261-Network Contract Office 21 (36C261), Mather, CA
- Product/service code
- H966 · Other QC/Test/Inspect – Instruments and Laboratory Equipment
- Business type
- Engineering, architecture & research (FedReady's grouping, from NAICS 541380)
- Attachments
Past awards and competition
Who has won work like this before, the likely incumbent, and what similar contracts paid, from USAspending.gov.
Before you respond
- How to respond to a solicitation (8 steps)
- How to read a government solicitation
- How to price a government contract
Terms on this notice: Solicitation
Full notice text from SAM.gov
Reference the Performance Work Statement
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