Agriculture Dept. Spends $107,629 on Gas Chromatograph Package from Agilent Technologies

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $107,629 ($107.6K)

Contractor: Agilent Technologies Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-05-29

Contract Duration: 49 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: GAS CHROMATOGRAPH PACKAGE

Place of Performance

Location: HILO, HAWAII County, HAWAII, 96720

State: Hawaii Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $107,629.29 to AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC for work described as: GAS CHROMATOGRAPH PACKAGE Key points: 1. The contract is for a Gas Chromatograph Package, a specialized analytical instrument. 2. Agilent Technologies Inc. is the sole awardee, indicating potential market concentration. 3. The contract duration is short, suggesting a specific, immediate need. 4. The spending is categorized under Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $107,629.29 for a Gas Chromatograph Package appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the equipment. Benchmarking against similar high-end analytical instruments suggests this price point is within expected ranges, though specific feature comparisons are needed for a definitive assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which is positive for price discovery. However, the specific awardee, Agilent Technologies Inc., suggests a limited number of manufacturers may be capable of providing this specialized equipment, potentially impacting the breadth of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential scientific instrumentation. The competitive award process aims to ensure value for money, minimizing unnecessary expenditure.

Public Impact

Supports critical agricultural research and development activities within the Agricultural Research Service. Ensures the Agricultural Research Service has access to necessary analytical tools for scientific endeavors. The purchase contributes to the government's capacity for scientific analysis and data collection.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to specialized equipment.
Reliance on a single supplier for a critical instrument.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Clear definition of the product being procured.

Sector Analysis

The Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector is characterized by high R&D costs and specialized production. Spending on such instruments is crucial for government scientific agencies like the Agricultural Research Service to maintain operational capabilities and advance research objectives.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. Given the specialized nature of the product and the awardee, it is unlikely that small businesses were significantly involved in this particular procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting adherence to standard procurement regulations. Further oversight would involve reviewing the specific solicitation and evaluation process to ensure fairness and compliance.

Related Government Programs

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Agricultural Research Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in due to specialized equipment.
Limited visibility into specific technical requirements and performance metrics.
Lack of detail on long-term operational and maintenance costs.
No indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $107,629.29 to AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC. GAS CHROMATOGRAPH PACKAGE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Research Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $107,629.29.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-05-29.

What specific analytical capabilities does this Gas Chromatograph Package offer, and how do they align with the Agricultural Research Service's current research priorities?

The specific analytical capabilities of the Gas Chromatograph Package are not detailed in the provided data. However, gas chromatographs are typically used for separating and analyzing compounds that can be vaporized without decomposition. For the Agricultural Research Service, this could involve analyzing soil composition, pesticide residues, plant compounds, or environmental contaminants, directly supporting their mission to advance agricultural knowledge and address challenges.

What is the typical lifespan and maintenance cost for a Gas Chromatograph Package from Agilent Technologies, and how does this impact the long-term value of this acquisition?

The typical lifespan for high-end analytical instruments like gas chromatographs can range from 5 to 15 years, depending on usage and maintenance. Maintenance costs can be significant, often involving service contracts and replacement parts. Understanding these factors is crucial for assessing the total cost of ownership and the long-term value beyond the initial purchase price of $107,629.29.

Were there any alternative analytical solutions or instrument manufacturers considered during the full and open competition process, and what were the key differentiators?

While the award was made under full and open competition, the data does not specify alternative solutions or manufacturers considered. Key differentiators in such procurements often include instrument sensitivity, resolution, throughput, software capabilities, vendor support, and total cost of ownership. A thorough review of the solicitation and evaluation documentation would reveal why Agilent Technologies Inc. was selected.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 1232SA26Q0329

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Address: 2850 CENTERVILLE RD, WILMINGTON, DE, 19808

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $107,629

Exercised Options: $107,629

Current Obligation: $107,629

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07F0564X

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline