Commerce awards $182K for lab instrument, highlighting analytical capabilities in Maryland
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $182,472 ($182.5K)
Contractor: Hamilton Company
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2021-09-29
End Date: 2026-01-31
Contract Duration: 1,585 days
Daily Burn Rate: $115/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: HAMILTON STAR LIQUID HANDLER
Place of Performance
Location: GAITHERSBURG, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20899
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $182,471.74 to HAMILTON COMPANY for work described as: HAMILTON STAR LIQUID HANDLER Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a specialized analytical instrument. 2. Competition was limited, suggesting potential for price optimization. 3. Performance risk seems low given the nature of the product. 4. This purchase supports scientific research and development at NIST. 5. The contract falls within the analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $182,471.74 for a liquid handler appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized laboratory equipment. Benchmarking against similar high-precision analytical instruments suggests that this price point is competitive, especially considering the capabilities of a firm like Hamilton Company. The fixed-price nature of the purchase order provides cost certainty for the government.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders. While the specific number of solicitations or proposals is not detailed, SAP is designed for smaller procurements where full and open competition may not be feasible or cost-effective. The limited competition may have resulted in a higher price than under a full and open process.
Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition under SAP means taxpayers may not have received the absolute lowest price achievable through broader market engagement.
Public Impact
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) benefit from access to advanced liquid handling technology. The instrument will be used for analytical testing and scientific research, contributing to NIST's mission. The primary geographic impact is within Maryland, where NIST facilities are located. The acquisition supports the scientific workforce by providing essential tools for their work.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for higher costs due to limited competition under SAP.
- Dependence on a single manufacturer for specialized equipment could pose long-term supply chain risks.
Positive Signals
- Procurement of a high-quality, specialized instrument from a reputable manufacturer.
- Fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.
- Supports critical scientific research at a key federal agency.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector, a niche within the broader scientific and medical equipment industry. This sector is characterized by high R&D investment, stringent quality control, and specialized applications. Spending in this area supports advancements in research, diagnostics, and quality assurance across various scientific disciplines. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other federal agency procurements of similar analytical instrumentation.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to involve significant subcontracting opportunities for them. The primary contractor, Hamilton Company, is a large business. This suggests that the focus was on acquiring specialized equipment rather than promoting small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded as a Purchase Order under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, which generally have less stringent oversight than larger, more complex contracts. Accountability is maintained through the fixed-price terms and the delivery of the specified equipment. Transparency is limited by the nature of SAP, but the award details are publicly available through federal procurement databases.
Related Government Programs
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Research Equipment
- Analytical Laboratory Instruments
- Scientific Research and Development Support
Risk Flags
- Limited Competition
- Potential for Price Optimization
Tags
analytical-instrument-manufacturing, department-of-commerce, national-institute-of-standards-and-technology, nist, purchase-order, competed-under-sap, firm-fixed-price, maryland, scientific-research, rdte, mid-size-contract, limited-competition
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $182,471.74 to HAMILTON COMPANY. HAMILTON STAR LIQUID HANDLER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is HAMILTON COMPANY.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Institute of Standards and Technology).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $182,471.74.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-09-29. End: 2026-01-31.
What is the track record of Hamilton Company in supplying similar analytical instruments to the federal government?
Hamilton Company has a history of supplying laboratory equipment, including liquid handling systems, to various federal agencies. While specific details on past performance for this exact instrument type within the federal space require deeper database analysis, the company is a recognized player in the scientific instrumentation market. Their track record generally indicates a capacity to meet technical specifications and quality standards. Further investigation into past contract awards, performance evaluations, and any reported issues would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their federal performance history.
How does the price of this liquid handler compare to similar instruments purchased by other federal agencies or research institutions?
Direct price comparison is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of identical or highly similar instrument purchases across all federal agencies and research institutions. However, the $182,471.74 price point for a specialized, high-precision liquid handler from a reputable manufacturer like Hamilton is generally considered within the expected range for such equipment. Factors like specific model, included accessories, warranty, and service contracts significantly influence pricing. A more detailed benchmark would require identifying contracts with identical or near-identical specifications and award dates.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?
The primary risks associated with this contract include potential performance issues with the instrument, delivery delays, and the possibility of the equipment becoming obsolete faster than anticipated. Mitigation strategies are embedded in the contract terms. The fixed-price nature helps control cost overruns. The award to a known manufacturer like Hamilton Company reduces the risk of non-performance. The specified delivery and performance periods, along with NIST's acceptance testing protocols, serve as key mitigation measures against delivery delays and performance failures. The relatively short contract duration (ending Jan 2026) also limits long-term obsolescence risk.
How effective is this type of instrument in supporting NIST's overall mission and research objectives?
Liquid handling instruments are crucial for automating and standardizing repetitive laboratory tasks, such as sample preparation, reagent dispensing, and assay setup. For NIST, which focuses on measurement science, standards, and technology, such instruments enhance the accuracy, reproducibility, and throughput of experiments. This directly supports their mission by enabling more efficient and reliable scientific research, data generation, and the development of new measurement techniques. The effectiveness is tied to the specific research projects it supports, but generally, advanced automation tools are vital for modern scientific endeavors.
What are the historical spending patterns for analytical laboratory instruments at NIST or the Department of Commerce?
Historical spending on analytical laboratory instruments at NIST and the broader Department of Commerce typically shows consistent investment in scientific equipment to support research and development mandates. Annual expenditures can fluctuate based on major equipment replacement cycles, new research initiatives, and budget allocations. While this specific $182K purchase is a single data point, NIST's overall budget often includes significant allocations for laboratory infrastructure. Analyzing multi-year spending trends would reveal patterns in the types of instruments procured, average costs, and the proportion of the budget dedicated to such capital equipment.
What is the potential impact of this procurement on the broader market for analytical laboratory instruments?
A single procurement of this size, while important for the specific application at NIST, is unlikely to have a significant impact on the broader market for analytical laboratory instruments. The market is driven by numerous factors, including technological innovation, global demand from research institutions and industry, and the competitive landscape among major manufacturers. This contract represents a small fraction of the overall market activity. However, it does signal continued government investment in scientific research infrastructure, which can indirectly support market growth and encourage manufacturers to continue developing advanced instrumentation.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: SPECIAL INDUSTRY MACHINERY
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 1333ND21QNB640566
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4970 ENERGY WY, RENO, NV, 89502
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: $182,472
Exercised Options: $182,472
Current Obligation: $182,472
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-09-29
Current End Date: 2026-01-31
Potential End Date: 2026-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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