What is a medical specimen courier under federal procurement?
A medical specimen courier under federal procurement is a contracted carrier that moves laboratory specimens, pharmaceuticals, controlled-environment biologicals, and patient records between collection points, reference labs, and treatment sites under FAR, HIPAA, and 49 CFR rules. For VA Medical Centers this covers STAT specimen runs, pharmacy delivery, and Veterans Benefits C-file transport on scheduled and on-demand routes.
This lane runs under NAICS 492110 (Couriers and Express Delivery Services), SBA small-business size standard 1,500 employees. A small business competing here needs SAM registration, the right set-aside posture, documented cold-chain and HIPAA capability, and a capability statement that maps to the VA's recurring courier buys. JTJRE Corp helps small businesses stand all of that up.
The operational bar a CO expects is concrete: a vehicle and driver plan, NIST-traceable cold-chain equipment, chain-of-custody documentation, and an exception-handling protocol. JTJRE helps you document that capability for the bid, and sells ready-to-submit courier bid packages built around the common VA solicitation patterns.
Which VA contracting vehicles use NAICS 492110?
VA procures courier services under NAICS 492110 across every Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN). The most common vehicles are RFQs against VAAR Part 819 SDVOSB set-asides, simplified-acquisition awards under FAR Part 13, and task orders against VA Federal Supply Schedule and SAC IDIQ vehicles. Multi-VAMC route bundles often appear at the VISN level.
Recent VA courier opportunities tracked by JTJRE include solicitation 36C24126Q0174 (VISN1 courier services) and similar VISN-level recurring buys at VAMCs in Albany, Boston, Manchester, Providence, White River Junction, and West Haven. The recurring nature of medical-courier procurement makes the lane unusually predictable for capacity planning.
| Vehicle type | Typical PSC | Award basis | Set-aside fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| VISN-level RFQ | V228 | Simplified acquisition (FAR Part 13) | SDVOSB / VOSB common |
| VAMC standalone RFQ | V228 | FAR Part 12 commercial item | Open or SDVOSB |
| NAC IDIQ task order | V228 | FAR Part 16 IDIQ | Multiple |
| BPA call | V228 | FAR Part 13 BPA | Bilateral |
What service categories does JTJRE cover under this NAICS?
Five service categories are in scope: STAT laboratory specimen transport, scheduled lab routing, pharmacy and medication delivery, controlled-environment biological courier (refrigerated and frozen), and Veterans Benefits C-file records transport. All five operate under the same NAICS 492110 line and the same operating-procedure framework, with cold-chain and HIPAA controls layered per category.
- STAT laboratory specimens, 2-hour, 2.5-hour, and 3.5-hour response windows per VA performance work statement (PWS) norms
- Scheduled laboratory specimen routing, multi-stop daily runs between VAMC, CBOC, and reference labs
- Pharmacy and medication delivery, sealed, tamper-evident, with controlled-substance exclusion enforced unless DEA registration extended
- Cold-chain courier work, refrigerated (2-8°C) and frozen (-20°C or dry ice) tiers with NIST-traceable continuous monitoring
- C-file and patient records. HIPAA-compliant transport under PIA-cleared chain-of-custody procedures
What regulatory framework governs medical specimen courier work for the VA?
Five regulatory frameworks apply simultaneously: HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules (45 CFR Parts 160 and 164), DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR Parts 171-180), OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR §1910.1030), USP General Chapter <800> for hazardous-drug handling, and the FAR / VAAR procurement clauses incorporated by the contract. JTJRE operates and trains drivers to every applicable framework.
| Framework | Citation | Application |
|---|---|---|
| HIPAA Privacy/Security | 45 CFR 160 / 164 | PHI in specimens, labels, manifests, paperwork |
| DOT HazMat | 49 CFR 171-180 | Category B biologicals (UN3373), dry ice (UN1845), hazardous drugs |
| OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens | 29 CFR 1910.1030 | Exposure control plan, PPE, post-exposure procedures |
| USP <800> | USP General Chapter <800> | Hazardous-drug containment and handoff procedures |
| VAAR SDVOSB | VAAR 819.7003 | Verified-status set-aside contracting authority |
How does JTJRE structure cold-chain integrity for VA specimen runs?
Cold-chain integrity is maintained through a four-layer system: pre-conditioned validated containers, NIST-traceable continuous temperature monitoring, time-stamped chain-of-custody documentation, and exception-handling protocols when readings deviate. Every container is matched to the specimen tier (ambient, refrigerated 2-8°C, frozen -20°C, or ultra-low / dry ice) before pickup.
Hardware backbone uses NIST-traceable data loggers (DeltaTrak or equivalent) with continuous readings, audible alarms, and downloadable temperature logs that become part of the contract delivery record. Validated containers are pre-conditioned per the carrier specification and the specimen-type PWS requirement. Excursion protocols define notification thresholds, escalation chains, and the corrective action documentation the contracting officer expects on every deviation.