Physical Sciences Inc. awarded $3.5M for real-time bioprocess monitoring technology

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,499,996 ($3.5M)

Contractor: Physical Sciences Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-02-26

End Date: 2029-02-28

Contract Duration: 1,098 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: PHYSICAL SCIENCES INC. (PSI) AIMS TO DEVELOP AND COMMERCIALIZE A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND IN-LINE CYTOMETRY PROCESS ANALYTICAL TECHNOLOGY (ILC-PAT) THAT ENABLES REAL-TIME, SINGLE-CELL LEVEL MONITORING OF CRITICAL BIOPROCESS PARAMETERS TO IMPROVE THE MANUFAC

Place of Performance

Location: ANDOVER, ESSEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01810

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $3.5 million to PHYSICAL SCIENCES INC. for work described as: PHYSICAL SCIENCES INC. (PSI) AIMS TO DEVELOP AND COMMERCIALIZE A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND IN-LINE CYTOMETRY PROCESS ANALYTICAL TECHNOLOGY (ILC-PAT) THAT ENABLES REAL-TIME, SINGLE-CELL LEVEL MONITORING OF CRITICAL BIOPROCESS PARAMETERS TO IMPROVE THE MANUFAC Key points: 1. Contract aims to advance biotechnology manufacturing through novel analytical technology. 2. Focus on single-cell level monitoring for improved bioprocess control. 3. Potential for significant impact on pharmaceutical and biotech production efficiency. 4. Long-term contract duration suggests sustained development and commercialization efforts. 5. Research and Development in Biotechnology sector, a key area for innovation.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.5 million for a definitive contract over approximately three years appears reasonable for a research and development project focused on novel technology. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts in biotechnology is challenging due to the unique nature of the ILC-PAT technology. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the scope and cost, which is a positive indicator of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, specific circumstances led to the exclusion of certain sources before the final award. The number of bidders is not explicitly stated, but the 'limited' competition level suggests that not all potential offerors were considered in the final evaluation, which could impact price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A limited competition may result in less competitive pricing compared to full and open competition, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers if alternative solutions were not fully explored.

Public Impact

Benefits the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries by providing tools for more efficient and controlled manufacturing. Delivers advanced analytical technology for real-time monitoring of bioprocesses. Geographic impact is national, supporting the advancement of US-based biotech innovation. Workforce implications include potential for highly skilled R&D jobs in biotechnology.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition could lead to suboptimal pricing.
Technology development risks inherent in R&D projects.
Commercialization success is not guaranteed.

Positive Signals

Focus on a critical area of biotechnology advancement.
Potential for significant improvements in manufacturing efficiency.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development in Biotechnology sector, specifically focusing on analytical technology for bioprocessing. The biotechnology market is characterized by high innovation and significant investment. This contract supports the development of a novel in-line cytometry process analytical technology (ILC-PAT), aiming to improve critical bioprocess parameters. Comparable spending in this niche R&D area is difficult to pinpoint, but it aligns with broader government investments in advancing life sciences and manufacturing capabilities.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this award. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from this particular contract's structure. The focus is on the prime contractor's capabilities in developing advanced technology.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a definitive contract awarded by the Department of the Interior. Oversight mechanisms would typically involve program managers within the agency responsible for monitoring the contractor's progress against milestones and deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Biotechnology Research and Development
Advanced Manufacturing Technologies
Process Analytical Technology (PAT)
Life Sciences Innovation

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price.
Technology development risk.
Commercialization uncertainty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $3.5 million to PHYSICAL SCIENCES INC.. PHYSICAL SCIENCES INC. (PSI) AIMS TO DEVELOP AND COMMERCIALIZE A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND IN-LINE CYTOMETRY PROCESS ANALYTICAL TECHNOLOGY (ILC-PAT) THAT ENABLES REAL-TIME, SINGLE-CELL LEVEL MONITORING OF CRITICAL BIOPROCESS PARAMETERS TO IMPROVE THE MANUFAC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PHYSICAL SCIENCES INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-02-26. End: 2029-02-28.

What is the specific innovation of the ILC-PAT technology and its potential impact on biomanufacturing?

The In-Line Cytometry Process Analytical Technology (ILC-PAT) aims to provide real-time, single-cell level monitoring of critical bioprocess parameters. Current methods often rely on off-line sampling, leading to delays and potential inaccuracies. ILC-PAT's innovation lies in its ability to continuously analyze cells as they are processed, enabling immediate adjustments to optimize yield, quality, and consistency. This real-time feedback loop has the potential to significantly reduce batch failures, improve product quality, and lower manufacturing costs in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, accelerating the development and production of biologics and vaccines.

How does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' procurement method affect the value for money?

The procurement method 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' suggests that while the initial intent was open competition, certain sources were excluded prior to the final award. This can limit the pool of potential offerors, potentially reducing the intensity of competition. If the exclusion was not well-justified or if it inadvertently removed highly capable competitors, it could lead to less aggressive pricing and potentially a higher cost for the government compared to a truly open competition. However, if the exclusions were based on specific technical requirements that only a few entities could meet, the resulting competition among the remaining qualified bidders might still yield fair value.

What are the primary risks associated with this R&D contract for Physical Sciences Inc. and the government?

The primary risks for Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) involve technological hurdles and commercialization challenges. Developing a 'first-of-its-kind' technology means encountering unforeseen technical difficulties, potentially leading to schedule delays or cost overruns, despite the firm-fixed-price contract. The success of the technology's commercialization post-development is also a significant risk. For the government, the main risks include the possibility that the technology may not perform as expected or achieve its intended impact on bioprocessing efficiency, leading to a suboptimal return on investment. There's also the risk that the limited competition may have resulted in a higher-than-necessary contract price.

What is the historical spending pattern for Physical Sciences Inc. with the Department of the Interior or similar R&D contracts?

Historical spending data for Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) with the Department of the Interior (DOI) specifically for R&D in biotechnology is not detailed in the provided snippet. However, the contract award itself indicates a prior relationship or successful proposal to the DOI. To assess historical patterns, one would need to examine PSI's broader contract history across federal agencies, looking for trends in R&D awards, contract values, and performance ratings. Without this broader context, it's difficult to establish a specific spending pattern or benchmark PSI's performance against its own history.

How does this contract align with broader federal investments in biotechnology and advanced manufacturing?

This contract aligns well with broader federal investments aimed at strengthening the domestic biotechnology sector and advancing manufacturing capabilities. Agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), and Department of Defense (DoD) frequently fund R&D in life sciences and advanced technologies. The focus on improving bioprocess efficiency through novel analytical tools directly supports goals related to pharmaceutical production, vaccine development, and ensuring supply chain resilience. By investing in technologies like ILC-PAT, the government seeks to foster innovation, create high-value jobs, and maintain a competitive edge in critical scientific and industrial fields.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › N – Health R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 20 NEW ENGLAND BUSINESS CENTER DR, ANDOVER, MA, 01810

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,499,996

Exercised Options: $3,499,996

Current Obligation: $3,499,996

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline