This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. Pursuant to 48 CFR Part 326, Subpart 326.603-3 and IHM 5.5-6, Indian Health Service must use the negotiation authority of the Buy Indian Act, 25 U.S.C. 47, to give preference to Indian Economic Enterprises (IEE) whenever the use of that authority is authorized and practicable.
The Government is seeking to identify Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEEs), Indian Economic Enterprises (IEE), and any other category of vendor capable of performing the below Indian Health Services (IHS) requirement. Any vendor responding to this notice should submit their capability statement as well as the Buy Indian Act Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form (attached).
Consistent with the revised Buy Indian Act, HHS/IHS adopted the definition of an Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) set forth in 48 CFR 1480.201. This definition includes the following requirement, amongst others: “the Indians or Indian Tribes must, together, receive at least a majority of the earnings from the contract.”.
Instructions for submission are outlined further below.
DEFINITIONS
INDIAN ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE (IEE):
Any business activity owned by one or more Indians, Federally Recognized Indian Tribes, or Alaska Native Corporations provided that:
- The combined Indian, Federally Recognized Indian Tribe or Alaska Native Corporation ownership of the enterprise constitutes not less than 51%;
- The Indian, Federal Recognized Indian Tribes, or Alaska Native Corporations must, together, receive at least 51% of the earnings from the contract; and
- The management and daily business operations must be controlled by one or more individuals who are Indians.
DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT
NAICS:
811210 – Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance
Size Standard: $34 million
PROJECT TITLE: GeneXpert Service Agreement
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Blackfeet Service Unit, Laboratory Department, requires an approved and established Service Contract for the Cepheid Analyzer
SCOPE: The agreement is between Blackfeet Service Unit (“Customer”) and the manufacturer, Cepheid. The Service Contract provides XpertCheck Services, 24/7 Telephone Technical Support, and 5 Day (8-5) Onsite Technical Support. The contractor agrees to provide Annual XpertCheck, Callback for Repairs, and a Comprehensive Technical Support Service.
APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS: The service plan will meet or exceed Clinical Laboratory Joint Commission Requirements, Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) requirements, and performance levels specified by the
manufacturer’s operation and service manuals.
TASKS:
The contractor shall provide:
- 24 x 7 Phone Support
- Onsite 5x10 hours (8AM – 6PM)
- Annual Preventative Maintenance Check-Up performed by Field Service Engineer to include Parts, Labor & Travel
- Cepheid Software Upgrades
- 98% Uptime Guarantee
- Advantage Service Agreement for GeneXpert s/n: 842930
- Calibration Services, Annual XpertCheck’s, and as Needed Service for troubleshooting, repairs, routine certification, and inspections
- XpertCheck must be at least equivalent in scope to that provided in the manufacturer’s service manual for the given inspection frequency and age
- Department Supervisor/Acting Lead Technician a copy of the written Service Terms, to be used for inspection of the equipment covered by the contract
- Service summary reports by the Service Technician upon completion of any XpertCheck’s and/or Onsite Service
DELIVERABLES AND DELIVERY SCHEDULE: Service summary reports must include a list of all services done, the calibration procedure used, a description of all work performed, number of hours spent on work, all parts replaced, and the part numbers. The service report must indicate recommendations for future services needed (if applicable), parts replacement, operator instructions, and supplies needed. A quote may be provided by the vendor for recommended services and supplies but only a warranted Contracting Officer may make changes to the purchase order and authorize additional services and supplies. No additional work may be authorized by service unit personnel onsite at the time of services.
GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED EQUIPMENT AND INFORMATION: BFSU Cepheid Analyzers. The government will provide workspace and access to the equipment for service. Serial #:842930
PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Indian Health Service, Blackfeet Service Unit, Laboratory Department, 760 Hospital Circle, Browning, Montana 59417.
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 365 calendar days from date of award.
INSTRUCTIONS TO INDUSTRY
ISBEEs are highly encouraged to respond to this notice. However, firms must also understand that generic capability statements are not sufficient for effective evaluation of their capacity and capability to perform the work required. To be considered a capable source, responses must directly demonstrate the company’s capability, experience, and ability to provide services as shown below.
Your response must include but is not limited to the following:
- Number of years of experience in providing routine food service delivery and customizable menus to healthcare facilities
- List of past jobs/contracts of providing routine food service delivery and customizable menus to healthcare facilities
- Demonstrate how your company meets the definition for Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) in consideration to this requirement.
- Demonstrate how your company will receive at least 51% of the earnings from the awarded contract.
- If identifying a partnership with a subcontractor that is a similarly situated entity, demonstrate how together with the subcontractor you will receive a combined 51% of the earnings from the contract.
- If identifying a partnership with a subcontractor that is NOT a similarly situated entity, demonstrate how you will receive 51% of the earnings from the contract.
- Demonstrate how the prime IEE, or together with the subcontractor, will conduct management and daily operations to be controlled by one or more individuals who are Indians.
Failure to address these items in your capability statement could exclude your firm from being determined a capable IEE/ISBEE source.
SUBMISSION
Interested parties capable of performing the required services may submit a response via email to: Shannon.Connelly@ihs.gov no later than 08/26/2025.
Interested parties shall submit their capability response as instructed above and include a copy of the Buy Indian Act Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form. It is recommended to include the sources sought ID in the subject line.
Sources Sought ID: SS-BFSU-25-072. Responses received to this notice will assist in determining the acquisition strategy of the requirement.
