National Contract Service is one of two services or divisions within the National Acquisition Center (NAC). The NAC is a centralized contracting unit within the Office of Acquisition and Logistics (OA&L) in the Department of Veterans Affairs. The NAC is located in Hines, IL, approximately 13 miles from downtown Chicago, IL.
This Service is made up of three Branches, Direct Delivery, Medical/Surgical and Pharmaceutical. Within these three Branches are the program responsibilities for Direct Delivery (High Tech Medical Equipment), Pharmaceutical and Medical/Surgical Standardization, Pharmaceutical Repackaging, Specialized Contracting for the Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacies and Pharmaceutical and Medical/Surgical Prime Vendor Distribution Programs. These programs encompass such commodities as high tech medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, direct-to-patient distribution, I.V. solutions and sets, prescription vials, medical and surgical supplies, dental supplies and equipment, and just-in-time prime vendor distribution programs for pharmaceutical and medical/surgical items. This Service has responsibility for National Contracts and Blanket Purchase Agreements, in support of National Standardization, which are established under the Federal Supply Schedule Program. All of these programs are open to VA medical centers, related facilities and some State Veterans Homes. Most of these contracts and agreements include other Government agencies such as the Department of Defense, Indian Health Service and Bureau of Prisons. Most of the solicitations for these contracts and agreements are competitive, best value procurements. The performance period for these contracts is normally one year with up to four option years.
The Direct Delivery Program has been contracting for and ordering medical equipment such as X-ray, CT, MRI, radiation therapy, physiological monitoring, diagnostic ultrasound and nuclear imaging for over 30 years for VA and other Federal Agency customers. The equipment is covered by multiple-award contracts with most major equipment manufacturers. This allows expedited ordering at discounted prices and saves each facility the costs associated with the administration of contracts and placing orders. Additional savings are obtained by consolidating like requirements for individual Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) or nationwide during specific ordering periods. The Direct Delivery staff provides a team approach (including a contracting officer, equipment specialist and procurement technician) to place orders for equipment and monitor requests through the acceptance process. Issues that develop from the initial order through delivery and equipment acceptance are resolved quickly and completely due to this team approach. Orders are processed timely and provide the advantage of technical assistance in designing systems to meet the customer's needs. An administrative fee is included in final order totals. The fee structure is two percent (2%) of the order, but will not exceed $25,000. For additional information, contact James Booth at (708) 786-5258 if you have any questions about this program, or refer to the Direct Delivery Team website.
VA is slashing costs by standardizing products and sources of supply and, simultaneously, balancing clinician considerations for obtaining quality products. Standardization provides veterans with high quality continuity of healthcare and gives VA concentrated buying power. VA's medical/surgical standardization efforts encompass a variety of areas such as but not limited to: medical and surgical supplies and equipment, dental supplies, laboratory, environmental, radiology, and prosthetic devices. Questions should be directed to Ron Jenkins, (708) 786-4929.
This program provides alternative distribution strategies for the acquisition of medical and surgical products, and offers VA customers and other Government agencies (as authorized by the NAC) significant flexibility and choice. VA has three Prime Vendor Programs, two under the responsibilities of this Service-the Pharmaceutical Prime Vendor and Medical/Surgical Prime Vendor Distribution Programs, and one Subsistence Prime Vendor located in VA's Acquisition and Operation Analysis Staff (049A3) Washington, DC. To learn more about the Subsistence Prime Vendor, contact Dennis Maloney (202) 254-0335 or Jeanne Myscofski at (708) 786-5231. Besides the conventional distribution method, these programs also provide for Just-In-Time and Stockless deliveries. The medical/surgical prime vendor distributes medical and surgical supplies and equipment to Supply Processing and Distribution and other departments within VA medical centers, which are used to treat inpatients. The medical/surgical prime vendor program recently became mandatory within VA. The main contact for the Medical/Surgical Prime Vendor is Tim Richards, (708) 786-4959. For a listing of Medical/Surgical Prime Vendors and participating facilities, refer to the Med/Surg Prime Vendor Program web site.
This section is responsible for support of VA and other Government agencies' pharmaceutical standardization programs that strive for the best clinical outcomes at leveraged prices. The section works closely with Veteran Healthcare Administration's (VHA) Pharmacy Benefits Management Strategic Health Group (PBM), the VISN Formulary Leaders (VFLs), the Medical Advisory Panel (MAP), the DoD's Pharmacoeconomic Center (PEC) and Defense Supply Center-Philadelphia (DSCP) to coordinate clinical appropriateness with contracting requirements. The section negotiates contracts for some of National Contract Service's highest dollar volume and most complex agreements. Indefinite delivery, requirements-type contracts are the most commonly used contracting vehicles.
The pharmaceutical prime vendor program is a concept of support whereby a primary commercial distributor serves as the provider of pharmaceuticals to inpatients and outpatients within VA medical centers and other Government agency customers through their respective pharmacy services. Much of the work in this program is classified as contract administration. The staff works closely with its customer base to assure timely deliveries, that items requested are identical to items delivered and pricing. The staff is also responsible for handling day-to-day issues regarding this distribution contract as they arise. The main contact for the Pharmaceutical Prime Vendor is German Arcibal (708) 786-7663. For a listing of Pharmaceutical Prime Vendor participating facilities, refer to the Pharmaceutical Prime Vendor Program web site.
The pharmaceutical repackaging program was initiated to aid VA facilities with drug shortages. Staff within this program work to develop Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) and contracts for pharmaceuticals in bulk sizes that facilitate delivery to a repackager, which supplies these products in government labeled, unit of use containers. Customers of this program order and receive the supplies from the repackager with payment made to NAC, which purchases the products and provides fiscal support for the program. The main contact for this program is Fran DeRosa (708) 786-5921.
This section is responsible for contract support of VA Pharmacy Benefits Management Strategic Health Group's Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy (CMOP) program. VA CMOPs are located across the United States and fill the majority of prescriptions within VA. The CMOP facilities process and mail prescriptions directly to VA beneficiaries nationwide. CMOP workload includes dispensing prescriptions for over-the-counter and prescription only pharmaceuticals, medical/surgical supplies, controlled substances, and dietary supplements in support of VA medical centers, clinics and programs. Product and service areas of contracting include but are not limited to automation equipment, temporary personnel services, packing material and supplies, and other needs and services associated with the CMOP system. The main contact for this program is Steve Bense (708) 786-5175.
