NOAA awards $13.5M for MiSeq maintenance, extending support for critical scientific equipment
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,548 ($13.5K)
Contractor: THE Remi Group LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2026-04-13
End Date: 2027-04-12
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $37/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: SDI KEY SPECIES - MISEQ MAINTENANCE CONTRACT TO PROVIDE RECERTIFICATION, ANNUAL PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE, PARTS, LABOR, TRAVEL FOR REMEDIAL REPAIRS, SOFTWARE UPDATES, AND APPLICATION TECHNICAL SUPPORT (SILVER SUPPORT PLAN) FOR A PREVIOUSLY ACQUIRED IL
Place of Performance
Location: CHARLESTON, CHARLESTON County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29412
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $13,547.94 to THE REMI GROUP LLC for work described as: SDI KEY SPECIES - MISEQ MAINTENANCE CONTRACT TO PROVIDE RECERTIFICATION, ANNUAL PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE, PARTS, LABOR, TRAVEL FOR REMEDIAL REPAIRS, SOFTWARE UPDATES, AND APPLICATION TECHNICAL SUPPORT (SILVER SUPPORT PLAN) FOR A PREVIOUSLY ACQUIRED IL Key points: 1. Contract ensures continued operation of vital scientific instruments. 2. Competition method (SAP) may limit price discovery. 3. Risk of vendor lock-in for specialized equipment maintenance. 4. Spending aligns with IT/equipment maintenance sector benchmarks.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $13.5M over one year appears reasonable for specialized equipment maintenance, including parts, labor, and software support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for scientific instrument maintenance is needed for a definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), this contract likely involved limited competition. While efficient for smaller procurements, SAP may not always yield the best price discovery compared to full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for essential scientific infrastructure maintenance, ensuring the continuity of NOAA's research and operational capabilities.
Public Impact
Ensures uninterrupted scientific research and data collection by NOAA. Supports advanced genomic sequencing capabilities vital for environmental monitoring. Maintains readiness of critical equipment for national scientific endeavors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition under SAP
- Potential for price increases in future renewals
- Reliance on a single vendor for specialized parts/support
Positive Signals
- Ensures continuity of critical scientific operations
- Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty
- Supports advanced technological infrastructure
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT and scientific equipment maintenance sector. Spending benchmarks for similar specialized maintenance services vary widely based on equipment complexity and support level.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the vendor, The Remi Group LLC, is not identified as a small business. Further analysis is needed to determine if small businesses could have competed for this requirement.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Oversight will focus on performance delivery, adherence to contract terms, and justification for continued sole-source or limited competition procurements.
Related Government Programs
- Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition
- Potential for price increases
- Vendor lock-in risk
- Lack of small business participation
Tags
electronic-and-precision-equipment-repai, department-of-commerce, sc, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $13,547.94 to THE REMI GROUP LLC. SDI KEY SPECIES - MISEQ MAINTENANCE CONTRACT TO PROVIDE RECERTIFICATION, ANNUAL PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE, PARTS, LABOR, TRAVEL FOR REMEDIAL REPAIRS, SOFTWARE UPDATES, AND APPLICATION TECHNICAL SUPPORT (SILVER SUPPORT PLAN) FOR A PREVIOUSLY ACQUIRED IL
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE REMI GROUP LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $13,547.94.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-13. End: 2027-04-12.
What is the total cost of ownership for this equipment over its lifecycle, including maintenance?
The total cost of ownership is not fully discernible from this single contract. It would require analyzing the initial acquisition cost, all previous maintenance contracts, and projecting future maintenance needs and potential upgrades. This $13.5M contract represents one year of operational support, and understanding the full lifecycle cost is crucial for long-term budget planning and assessing overall value.
What are the risks associated with relying on The Remi Group LLC for critical equipment maintenance?
Risks include potential price escalation in future contract periods, dependency on a single vendor for specialized parts and expertise, and the possibility of service disruptions if the vendor faces financial or operational challenges. Ensuring robust performance metrics and exploring alternative support options periodically are key mitigation strategies.
How effectively does this maintenance contract contribute to NOAA's core scientific mission objectives?
This contract is highly effective as it directly supports the operational readiness of critical scientific instruments (MiSeq). Maintaining these systems ensures the continuity of vital research, data collection, and analysis, which are fundamental to NOAA's mission in areas like environmental monitoring, climate research, and biodiversity studies.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance › Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance
Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 1333MG26Q0003
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6325 ARDREY KELL RD STE 200, CHARLOTTE, NC, 28277
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $13,548
Exercised Options: $13,548
Current Obligation: $13,548
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-13
Current End Date: 2027-04-12
Potential End Date: 2027-04-12 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-13
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