Q517--PHARMACY BENEFITS SERVICES | WICHITA |

What the buyer wrote

Sources Sought Notice:
This is not a request for formal proposals or quotes, it does not obligate the Government to award a contract. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. Responses to this Sources Sought must be in writing.
The purpose of this Sources Sought announcement is for market research to make appropriate acquisition decisions and to gain knowledge of potentially qualified businesses interested in and capable of providing the required services.
Documentation of technical expertise must be presented in sufficient detail for the government to determine that your company possesses the necessary functional area expertise and experience to compete for this acquisition.
Responses to this notice shall include the following:
(a) company name
(b) address
(c) point of contact
(d) phone and email
(e) UEI number
(f) Cage Code
(g) Type of small business, e.g., Services Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, Veteran-Owned Small Business, 8(a), HUBZone, Women Owned Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, or Large Business; and
(h) Capability statement that addresses the organization s qualifications and ability to perform as a contractor for the work described below.
This Sources Sought is for Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center, 5500 E. Kellogg Avenue, Wichita, KS who have a requirement for contractor provided third party pharmacy benefit services to support a First Fill Prescription Voucher Program serving eligible Veterans. This program provides first or urgent fill prescriptions when VA pharmacies are unable or impractical to dispense medications, such as after hours emergency room visits, time sensitive medications from Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), Home Based Primary Care (HBPC), or telehealth appointments.
The NAICS Code is 527292 (Pharmacy Benefit Management and Other Third-Party Administration of Insurance and Pension Funds) with a Small Business size standard of $45.5 million. SDVOSB/VOSB vendors must be registered in the SBA VetCert database.
Offerors capable of providing this service shall notify the Contract Specialist no later than (NLT) October 12, 2026, 1:00 pm CST via email at maria.owen2@va.gov
All information is to be submitted via email to: maria.owen2@va.gov. Phone calls will not be accepted.

Performance Work Statement
First Fill Prescription Voucher Program Pharmacy Benefit Services

1. Introduction
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has a requirement for contractor provided third party pharmacy benefit services to support a First Fill Prescription Voucher Program serving eligible Veterans. This program provides first or urgent fill prescriptions when VA pharmacies are unable or impractical to dispense medications, such as after hours emergency room visits, time sensitive medications from Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), Home Based Primary Care (HBPC), or telehealth appointments.
The purpose of this Performance Work Statement (PWS) is to define the scope, objectives, tasks, deliverables, performance standards, and reporting requirements for the contractor s provision of pharmacy benefit services under this program.

2. Scope of Work
The contractor shall provide all personnel, pharmacy network locations, systems, tools, and non personal services necessary to perform first and urgent fill outpatient pharmacy services for eligible VA beneficiaries assigned to the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center (RJDVAMC) located at 5500 E. Kellogg Dr, Wichita, KS, associated CBOCs, and HBPC programs, as well as additional facilities added during the term of this contract.
The scope of work includes, at a minimum:
Dispensing new prescriptions written by authorized VA providers, with no refills.
Maintaining a geographically accessible pharmacy network with extended and after hours operating times.
Adhering to VA provided emergency medication formulary lists and applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and VA policies.
Providing required reporting, data, and documentation to support billing, quality assurance, performance measurement, and compliance.

3. Technical Requirements
A. Pharmacy Services and Operations
The contractor shall:
Dispense prescriptions only for eligible VA beneficiaries presenting a VA issued ID card, at designated network pharmacies.
Dispense only new prescriptions written by authorized VA providers (RJDVA, CBOC, HBPC), with no refills permitted under this program.
Maintain operating hours that include 24 hour locations and extended evening/weekend access, at a minimum Monday through Sunday coverage, including federal holidays.
Limit the maximum day supply to 10 days for most medications, and up to 14 days for antibiotics/antibacterial agents unless otherwise authorized under emergency conditions.
Dispense generic medications to the extent permitted by law, using AB rated generics that meet all federal and state requirements, and selecting the least expensive product in stock that meets clinical requirements.
Prescriptions must be provided in written form by authorized providers, and dispensing pharmacies must be able to accept and process written prescriptions.
B. Formulary Management
The contractor shall:
Adhere strictly to the VA Emergency Medication Formulary List, dispensing only legend drugs on the approved list unless prior authorization is obtained from the VA Chief of Pharmacy or designee.
Provide real time messaging and hard edits within the pharmacy systems to prevent dispensing of non formulary or prior authorization medications without VA approval.
Maintain and implement a mechanism to receive formulary updates from VA and to update pharmacy systems accordingly in a timely manner.
C. Records, Confidentiality, and Compliance
The contractor and contract pharmacies shall:
Maintain electronic records of all VA prescriptions filled, including patient signatures for each prescription received.
Protect the confidentiality of all VA beneficiary information and comply with the Privacy Act of 1974, HIPAA, and all applicable federal and state privacy and security requirements.
Ensure no patient information is stored on mobile devices and that access to VA information systems is restricted to personnel with appropriate background investigations and training, in accordance with VA directives.
All protected health information and sensitive personal information shall be handled in accordance with VA directives, 45 CFR Part 164, and applicable VA handbooks and policies.
D. Quality of Service and Counseling
The contractor shall:
Provide high quality service for patients and providers, with an account management team that communicates directly with the VA Contracting Officer s Representative (COR)/Facility POC to address and promptly resolve issues.
Offer pharmacist counseling to ensure optimal outcomes from drug therapy, including medication name and use, dose and route, precautions, common side effects and actions, self monitoring techniques, missed dose instructions, and proper storage.

4. Delivery & Location Information
Services shall be provided to VA beneficiaries associated with:
Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center and designated Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) and HBPC programs within the primary service area and additional areas added during the contract term.
The contractor shall provide and maintain a list of participating pharmacies that are:
Geographically accessible to RJDVA and each CBOC.
Handicapped accessible.
Equipped with accessible weekday, weekend, and evening hours, including drive through windows where available.
The list shall include, at a minimum: facility name and address, pharmacy name and address, phone/fax, pharmacists names and license numbers with expiration dates, accessibility status, distance from VA facilities, availability of drive up windows, hours and days of operation, and normal waiting times.

5. Security Requirements
Contractor and subcontractor personnel requiring access to VA information and information systems must comply with VA, federal, and state security and privacy requirements, including VA Directive and Handbook 0710 (Personnel Suitability and Security Program), applicable cyber security and privacy training, and VA Rules of Behavior.
The contractor shall:
Request logical or physical access to VA information systems only to the extent necessary to perform contract services.
Notify the ordering Contracting Officer immediately when personnel with access to VA information or systems are reassigned or separated, including unfriendly terminations.
Report all known or suspected security or privacy incidents, including data breaches involving sensitive personal information, to the ordering Contracting Officer, ISO, and Privacy Officer in accordance with VA policy and any applicable Business Associate Agreement.
Where required, the contractor shall be liable for liquidated damages in the event of data breaches involving sensitive personal information

This is the opening of the notice text. The complete version, with every amendment, is on the original.