Automated Pharmacy Prescription Dispensing Kiosks (VA-26-00030884)

Background
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking industry feedback to inform planning, acquisition strategy, and solution design for a secure, automated pharmacy prescription dispensing kiosk. This initiative aims to improve timely access to medications for Veterans while maintaining full regulatory compliance and patient safety.

The VA currently delivers pharmacy services through various channels and plans to pilot automated kiosks as part of a modernized pharmacy service delivery model. The goal is to enhance convenience, reduce wait times, support after-hours access in rural communities, and ensure safe and consistent pharmacy services.

Work Details
The contract involves the delivery of automated pharmacy prescription dispensing kiosks that will allow Veterans to receive medications prescribed by licensed providers through a pharmacist-verified dispensing workflow. Key performance objectives include:
- Enabling timely access to specific non-controlled, non-hazardous prescriptions such as antibiotics.
- Supporting real-time access to a pharmacist.
- Allowing outdoor positioning of kiosks for 24/7 access.
- Integrating with VA’s Federal Electronic Health Record (Oracle Health) and existing systems.
- Providing 24-hour IT support.
- Accepting prescriptions from authorized prescribers verified within VA systems.
- Ensuring high standards of dispensing accuracy and proper medication replenishment.
- Verifying patient identity with secure methods.
- Complying with all relevant federal, state, and local laws as well as VA policies.

Place of Performance
The geographic locations for the deployment of the kiosks are yet to be determined.