Clinical laboratory testing services including blood work, urinalysis, and pathology for government health programs. Find active federal and state medical laboratories contracts — AI-scored against your profile across SAM.gov and 200+ portals.
Annual federal spend for NAICS 621511 exceeds $2 billion, driven primarily by VA, DoD, and IHS. The market is highly competitive with over 1,000 active vendors, but dominated by large labs like Quest and LabCorp. Contracts are typically structured as IDIQs or BPAs with fixed-price per-test pricing, often awarded via full-and-open competition. Demand spikes with pandemic response, veteran healthcare expansion, and CDC surveillance programs. Set-asides are common: about 30% of dollars go to small businesses, with SDVOSB and 8(a) preferences in VA and IHS.
These agencies are the largest buyers of medical laboratories services and products in the federal government. Each awards contracts under NAICS 621511 regularly — build relationships with their small business offices first.
To win, target VA's SDVOSB set-aside for clinical lab services under the VHA Strategic Acquisition Center. The highest-leverage move is obtaining CLIA certification and CAP accreditation, then pursuing GSA Schedule 621I (Lab Testing Services) to gain visibility. Bid as a prime on small business set-asides; avoid subcontracting to large labs. Focus on regional IDIQs with IHS and DoD MTFs, where relationships and rapid turnaround matter more than price.
Contracts are typically LPTA for routine tests, but best-value for specialized pathology. Common vehicles: GSA Schedule 621I (Lab Testing Services), VA's VHA IDIQs, DoD's DHA BPAs, and IHS Area Office IDIQs. Evaluation emphasizes CLIA/CAP accreditation, past performance, and pricing per test. Set-asides: SDVOSB, 8(a), and HUBZone.
You need CLIA certification (CLIA '88) for the lab, plus state licenses where applicable. CAP accreditation is often required by VA and DoD. Also, register in SAM and get a CAGE code.
No, bonds are rare for lab services because contracts are service-based with no construction. However, some large IDIQs may require performance bonds if they include equipment installation.
Awards range from $50K for small BPAs to $10M+ for multi-year IDIQs. The median is around $500K for a 1-year base plus options. VA and DoD issue the largest contracts.
Very competitive. Over 60% of contracts are set aside for small businesses, but you'll compete against many other small labs. Differentiate by specializing in niche tests (e.g., toxicology, genetics) or offering faster turnaround.
Yes, but focus on small set-asides and subcontracting first. Get on GSA Schedule 621I and team with an experienced prime. VA's SDVOSB program is a good entry point if you're service-disabled veteran-owned.