Abaxis, Inc., a medical products company, has been awarded a contract which provides a point-of-care laboratory diagnostic instruments and reagents, as well as reference laboratory services through its Abaxis Veterinary Reference Laboratories (AVRL) to approximately 118 Army veterinary activities within the Continental United States (CONUS) and Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS) from the Department of the Army, Army NAF Contracting.
The period of performance under this contract is for one year, effective immediately with options for four additional one-year periods with maximum order/quantity limitations of $3 million per year.
Randall Knick, director of Government Affairs of Abaxis, Inc., commented, "Based on the merit of the Abaxis diagnostic product portfolio, we are very pleased to receive the award from the Department of the Army. Historically, we have had a very strong relationship with all US military branches both on the human and veterinary market. We are excited to standardize all of the 118 veterinary clinics as this will allow for an easier transition and shorter training times for the end users, thus providing better results to their clients. We look forward to continue to support our Armed Forces."
Until FY 2011, Veterinary Treatment Facilities (VTFs) funds were a part of the Non-appropriated Fund Instrumentality (NAFI) at each local installation. The Veterinary Services Central Fund (VSCF) was developed to capitalize on the efficiencies of consolidation of NAF manpower and purchasing power, among other things, into a stand-alone centralized US Army NAF fund under US Army Public Health Command for all Army Veterinary Treatment Facilities. In FY 12, the Veterinary Facilities on Navy and Marine Corps installations joined the VSCF and were followed later in the year by all VTFs on Air Force installations. The VSCF has standardized many VTF procedures, financial operations, accounting submissions, and human resources actions giving greater oversight to many areas of operations within each clinic.
Abaxis develops, manufactures, markets and sells portable blood analysis systems for use in any veterinary or human patient-care setting to provide clinicians with rapid blood constituent measurements.