The Network Contracting Office (NCO-10) is seeking to identify vendors to perform the following services, Online Clinical Drug Information. This requirement is for VA Medical facilities in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. This is a Request for Information (RFI) to seek capable sources and request industry feedback ONLY. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government. Interested parties are asked to submit capability statement that clearly and convincingly identifies their ability to fulfill the requirements and provide answers to the questions below. Industry feedback to the information below is requested to ensure the VA has not created a defacto sole source requirement. The Government may use the responses to this RFI for information and planning purposes. DRAFT SCOPE: Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 10 is comprised of 10 medical centers, an ambulatory care clinic, and a network of Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). VISN 10 provides patient-centered care to more than 685,000 Veterans throughout the lower peninsula of Michigan, Ohio/Northern Kentucky, and Indiana. VISN 10 has a continued need for an online, web-based subscription service for a comprehensive point-of-care drug reference. This service will provide highly detailed, customizable, interactive, cross-searchable databases, offering evidence-based information on medication, toxicology, patient education, disease state management, and alternative medicine. This resource is essential for supporting clinical support and should be very user-friendly. The contractor shall provide 24/7 online access to the comprehensive pharmaceutical reference database for all VISN 10 staff at facilities, Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), and remote locations. Complete and comprehensive access should be available on VA networked and non-VA networked computers, both onsite and offsite, as well as on mobile devices (compatible with iOS and Android). Technical Requirements: The subscription service must include, but is not limited to, the features and functionalities listed below. The resource shall provide clear, concise, and accurate point-of-care drug information, including dosing, administration, warnings, and precautions; drug-drug, drug-nutrient and drug-disease state interactions; drug identification, as well as clinical content, such as clinical practice guidelines. Single Search Interface Capability to search numerous databases and across multiple platforms for medication, toxicology, disease, condition management, and patient education. Advanced search functions that would provide results from all accessible databases that have a match. Anytime, Anywhere Access Flexible delivery technologies for access to patient information and evidence-based care recommendations available anytime. In addition to regular access, the resource should be accessible to VISN 10 employees working remotely. Rating System  A rating system that helps clinicians readily identify the strength of key factors needed in making treatment decisions strength of evidence, efficacy, and recommendation. Ratings should be based on medical literature and provide information as to when a drug should or should not be used for a specific indication. Drug Interactions Ability to search for interactions that include herbal supplements, drug-drug, drug-food, and drug-ethanol interactions. Adverse reaction Information- Medication monographs include common and rare adverse effects along with percentages showing the frequency/likelihood of this occurring in typical patient populations. Off-label Drug Usage Access to off-label drug indications. Since many patients rely on off-label uses for treatments, the online system should be clearly marked with references and include ratings and study summaries to show supporting evidence and warnings. Drug Consults Evidence-based coverage of topics covering classes of drugs, disease management guidelines, chemo regimens, comparative tables, or other clinical topics not easily covered in drug-specific monographs. Alternative Medicine Evidence-based monographs covering herbal, vitamin, mineral and other dietary supplements and includes alternate routes of administration as well as interactions with medications. Black-Box Warnings (BBW) Access to BBW information. Risk Evaluation Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Detailed information with links into Drug Safety information and Medication Guides including a summary of why a REMS has been placed on the drug. Pregnancy/Lactation Information Detailed content on Teratogenicity/Effects in Pregnancy, which includes clinical management information, literature reports (study write up), passage into placenta, consistently across drugs. Comparative Drug Tables A drug comparison tool that is designed to allow users the ability to build side-by-side comparative drug tables. Table should include a comparison of attributes, such as dosing, administration, indications, contraindications, precautions, adverse effects, and interactions. Medication Identification Capability - Ability to identify tablets and capsules based on color, inscriptions, and shape. Route of Administration Information - Inclusion in drug monographs of typical and alternative routes of administration including whether tablets may be crushed and if capsules may be opened. IV compatibility Database (Trissel s) showing if multiple IV products are compatible. This would include drug capability, appropriate concentrations, storage conditions, stability, and reconstitution instructions. References must be included. ISMP- Ability to link and provide detailed information to ISMP related materials for each medication monograph. Patient education materials- Ability to generate simple patient education handouts that can be used for counseling on new medications. Medical calculators- Inclusion of a comprehensive database of common medical calculators for things like creatinine clearance, ideal body weight, aminoglycoside dosing, risk calculators etc. Hazardous Drug Screening Notes if drugs are on the NIOSH list or have properties that may qualify them as a potentially hazardous drug. The resource should also include USP <800> precautions and handling information. Reporting and Support: Monthly usage statistics including session counts, search counts, and document retrieval totals are to be provided monthly to the VISN COR. 24/7 customer and technical support via phone and email. Training materials and online tutorials for users. On-site training sessions upon request. In addition to answering the below questions 1-3, respondents are also requested to provide their capability statement, including company name, address, and point of contact information. Capabilities statement shall provide a detailed overview, experience, and qualifications to perform the requirement. Question #1: Response, are you interested in providing a quote for this requirement? Yes / No (choose one) Question #2: Response: If your firm is a SVOSB and/or VOSB? If so, please provide a copy of SBA certification. Please provide current scope of operations and locations of service/capability: Where is your business located and where is your main scope of operations? Please provide any additional certifications regarding the socio-economic status of your company including, WOSB, EDWOSB, HUB, 8a, Small Disadvantage Business, Small Business, etc. Question #3: Response: Does your company have the ability to perform this contract while complying with the Limitations on Subcontracting rules per FAR 52.219-14, 13 CFR 125.6 and VAAR 852.219-75. If so, please briefly explain how your firm will accomplish this, include any potential teaming arrangements or subcontractors. To Note: The CO shall conduct periodic checks with the vendor to ensure that Limitations on Subcontracting compliance is maintained during the period of performance if this requirement is set-aside for any small business entities. In accordance with 13 CFR § 125.6(g), Whoever violates the requirements set forth in paragraph (a) of this section shall be subject to the penalties prescribed in 15 U.S.C. 645(d), except that the fine shall be treated as the greater of $500,000 or the dollar amount spent, in excess of permitted levels, by the entity on subcontractors. A party's failure to comply with the spirit and intent of a subcontract with a similarly situated entity may be considered a basis for debarment on the grounds, including but not limited to, that the parties have violated the terms of a government contract or subcontract pursuant to far 9.406-2(b)(1)(i) (48 CFR 9.406-2(b)(1)(i)). The applicable NAICS code for this requirement is 513210 - Software Publishers, with a Small Business Size Standard of $47.0 Million Dollars. The Product Service Code is L076 - Technical Representative - Books/Maps/Publications For informational purposes only, Wage Determinations apply to this requirement: All businesses are encouraged to respond; however, each respondent must clearly identify their business size and socio-economic category(s) in their capabilities statement. This Request for Information (RFI) is only for the purpose of identifying potential sources as part of market research. No Request for Proposal (RFP), Quote (RFQ), or Invitation for Bid (IFB) exists. Responses to this Request for Information (RFI) are not quotes, proposals, or bids on which the VA can issue any contract. This Notice is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not itself constitute an RFP, RFQ or IFB. The Government does not intend to award a contract based only on responses to this RFI. Responses to the notice will not be returned. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Request for Information (RFI). The VA will not pay for information received in response to this Request for Information. Do not submit pricing information in response to this Request for Information. Detailed capabilities statements and answers to questions 1-3 must be submitted by email to Contracting Officer Josh Kovar at Joshua.Kovar@VA.gov, in an electronic format, no later than 1:30 PM EST on January 30, 2026. As part of market research, this Request for Information / Sources Sought is to determine if there exists an adequate number of qualified interested contractors capable of providing services for this requirement.
