USDA's $632K Lab Maintenance Contract Awarded to Agilent Technologies Amidst Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $632,048 ($632.0K)

Contractor: Agilent Technologies Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2025-06-20

End Date: 2027-06-19

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $867/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: OPHS EASTERN LAB (EL)- MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT; BASE + OPTION YEARS; GC, GC/MS, HPCL, LC/MS/MS

Place of Performance

Location: WILMINGTON, NEW CASTLE County, DELAWARE, 19808

State: Delaware Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $632,047.77 to AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC for work described as: OPHS EASTERN LAB (EL)- MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT; BASE + OPTION YEARS; GC, GC/MS, HPCL, LC/MS/MS Key points: 1. The contract covers maintenance for critical laboratory instruments like GC, GC/MS, HPCL, and LC/MS/MS. 2. Agilent Technologies, a major player in analytical instrumentation, secured the award. 3. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract duration is 729 days, ending in June 2027. 5. The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the primary agency utilizing these instruments.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $632,047.77 over two years for maintenance of sophisticated analytical instruments appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar maintenance agreements for high-end lab equipment would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests that taxpayer funds are being used efficiently, as the pricing is likely driven by market forces rather than a lack of alternatives.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation of vital food safety testing equipment. Supports the Department of Agriculture's mission to protect public health. Maintains the integrity and accuracy of food analysis results. Potential impact on food recall efficiency if equipment fails. Reliable instrument maintenance is crucial for regulatory compliance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases in future option years.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical maintenance.
Risk of service delays impacting laboratory operations.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Clear contract duration and defined scope.
Supports a critical government function (food safety).

Sector Analysis

The analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing sector is characterized by high technological barriers and specialized expertise. Spending in this area is critical for research, quality control, and regulatory functions across various government agencies, including food safety.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was awarded to Agilent Technologies Inc., a large corporation. There is no indication that small businesses were involved as prime contractors or significant subcontractors in this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made via a Delivery Order under an existing contract mechanism. Oversight would involve monitoring Agilent's performance against the maintenance agreement terms and ensuring timely and effective service delivery by the Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Related Government Programs

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Food Safety and Inspection Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in.
Reliance on specialized, proprietary equipment maintenance.
Service disruptions could impact food safety testing.
Limited visibility into subcontractor performance if applicable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $632,047.77 to AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC. OPHS EASTERN LAB (EL)- MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT; BASE + OPTION YEARS; GC, GC/MS, HPCL, LC/MS/MS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Food Safety and Inspection Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $632,047.77.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-06-20. End: 2027-06-19.

What is the benchmark cost for maintaining similar analytical laboratory instruments?

Benchmarking the cost of maintaining similar analytical laboratory instruments requires detailed comparison of instrument types, age, complexity, and service level agreements. Industry reports and data from other government agencies can provide insights. Without specific comparative data, assessing the 'value' of this $632,047.77 contract is challenging, though the competitive award process suggests a reasonable price was sought.

What are the risks associated with relying on a single vendor for critical lab equipment maintenance?

Relying on a single vendor like Agilent Technologies for maintenance carries risks such as potential price gouging in the future, limited flexibility if service quality declines, and extended downtime if the vendor faces internal issues. The government should monitor vendor performance closely and explore contingency plans, such as multi-vendor strategies for future procurements or in-house maintenance capabilities.

How effectively does this contract support the Food Safety and Inspection Service's mission?

This contract is crucial for the effective functioning of the OPHS Eastern Lab, directly supporting the Food Safety and Inspection Service's mission. By ensuring the operational readiness of essential analytical instruments (GC, GC/MS, HPCL, LC/MS/MS), it enables accurate and timely testing of food products, which is fundamental to public health protection and regulatory enforcement.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

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: $1,657,004

Exercised Options: $632,048

Current Obligation: $632,048

Actual Outlays: $170,826

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07F0564X

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline