USDA ARS Awards $537K Agilent Instrument Service Contract in Kansas
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $53,708 ($53.7K)
Contractor: Agilent Technologies Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture
Start Date: 2024-05-30
End Date: 2027-05-29
Contract Duration: 1,094 days
Daily Burn Rate: $49/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SERVICE CONTRACT FOR AN AGILENT INSTRUMENTS AT USDA-ARS MANHATTAN, KS.
Place of Performance
Location: MANHATTAN, POTTAWATOMIE County, KANSAS, 66502
State: Kansas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Agriculture obligated $53,708.46 to AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC for work described as: SERVICE CONTRACT FOR AN AGILENT INSTRUMENTS AT USDA-ARS MANHATTAN, KS. Key points: 1. Contract value is $537,080 for instrument services. 2. Agilent Technologies Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. The contract is for analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing. 4. Spending is concentrated in Kansas. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $537,080 for a 3-year service agreement appears reasonable for specialized analytical instruments. Benchmarking against similar service contracts for Agilent equipment would provide a clearer picture of value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for necessary services.
Public Impact
Supports critical research at USDA-ARS. Ensures operational continuity for analytical instruments. Benefits scientific advancement in agricultural research. Potential for follow-on service needs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge is required.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical instrument maintenance.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
- Supports essential agricultural research.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the scientific instruments and laboratory services sector. Spending in this area is crucial for government research and development initiatives, ensuring access to advanced analytical capabilities.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific provisions or awards made to small businesses for this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved in the supply chain or as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded via a delivery order under a larger framework, suggesting existing oversight mechanisms. The Agricultural Research Service is responsible for ensuring the effective use of funds and performance.
Related Government Programs
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Department of Agriculture Contracting
- Agricultural Research Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole awardee for specialized service.
- Potential for price increases in future renewals.
- Dependence on a single manufacturer's support.
- Limited transparency on specific service deliverables.
Tags
analytical-laboratory-instrument-manufac, department-of-agriculture, ks, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Agriculture awarded $53,708.46 to AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC. SERVICE CONTRACT FOR AN AGILENT INSTRUMENTS AT USDA-ARS MANHATTAN, KS.
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 $53,708.46.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-05-30. End: 2027-05-29.
What is the specific scope of services covered by this contract?
The contract covers service for an Agilent instrument at USDA-ARS in Manhattan, KS. While the exact services are not detailed, it likely includes maintenance, calibration, repair, and potentially software updates for analytical laboratory instruments, ensuring their optimal performance for research purposes.
What are the potential risks associated with relying on Agilent Technologies Inc. for this service?
The primary risk is vendor lock-in, where the government becomes dependent on Agilent for specialized parts, expertise, and support, potentially limiting future competitive options. If Agilent's service quality declines or prices increase significantly, the USDA-ARS may face challenges in finding alternative solutions without disrupting critical research.
How does this contract contribute to the overall effectiveness of the Agricultural Research Service?
This contract is essential for maintaining the operational readiness and accuracy of analytical instruments used in agricultural research. Reliable instrument performance directly impacts the quality and validity of research findings, enabling the ARS to fulfill its mission of advancing agricultural science and innovation for the benefit of the nation.
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
Solicitation ID: 12805B24Q0297
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: $90,039
Exercised Options: $53,708
Current Obligation: $53,708
Actual Outlays: $21,894
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS07F0564X
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-05-30
Current End Date: 2027-05-29
Potential End Date: 2029-05-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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