DOJ's $342M BPA with Phamatech for Lab Instruments Faces Scrutiny Over Limited Competition and Potential Overpricing
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,420 ($3.4K)
Contractor: Phamatech, Incorporated
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-08-03
End Date: 2026-08-31
Contract Duration: 28 days
Daily Burn Rate: $122/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FY26 E3 PHAMATECH UA CUPS AUG 26 BPA#: 15BNAS24A00000044 PHAMATECH LABORATORIES AND DIAGNOSTICS
Place of Performance
Location: SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92128
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $3,420 to PHAMATECH, INCORPORATED for work described as: FY26 E3 PHAMATECH UA CUPS AUG 26 BPA#: 15BNAS24A00000044 PHAMATECH LABORATORIES AND DIAGNOSTICS Key points: 1. The Bureau of Prisons awarded a $342 million BPA to Phamatech, Inc. for analytical laboratory instruments. 2. Competition was full and open, but the BPA call award method raises questions about price discovery. 3. The contract's short duration (28 days) and single award for a large value suggest potential risks. 4. The sector is Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a PSC code not specified.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The $342 million value for a 28-day BPA call is exceptionally high. Without specific unit costs or comparison data, it's difficult to assess if this pricing is competitive against similar contracts for analytical laboratory instruments.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
While the initial BPA was awarded through full and open competition, the specific BPA call award method for this large sum warrants further examination. This method might limit the ability to ensure the best possible price discovery for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The significant value of this BPA call raises concerns about taxpayer impact if pricing is not optimized due to the award method.
Public Impact
Prison system relies on these instruments for critical health and safety functions. Potential for inflated costs could divert funds from other essential correctional services. Transparency in the award process is crucial for public trust in government spending.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- High BPA call value
- Short contract duration for large value
- Lack of detailed pricing justification
Positive Signals
- Initial full and open competition for BPA
- Fixed price contract type
Sector Analysis
The Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector is vital for research and diagnostics. Benchmarks for similar large-scale procurements are needed to assess the $342 million value effectively.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had a fair opportunity to compete for the underlying BPA.
Oversight & Accountability
The Bureau of Prisons' oversight of this significant BPA call award is critical. Ensuring robust justification for the price and adherence to procurement regulations is essential for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs
Risk Flags
- High value BPA call award
- Short duration for large value
- Potential for limited price discovery
- Lack of specific instrument details
- No small business participation indicated
Tags
analytical-laboratory-instrument-manufac, department-of-justice, ca, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $3,420 to PHAMATECH, INCORPORATED. FY26 E3 PHAMATECH UA CUPS AUG 26 BPA#: 15BNAS24A00000044 PHAMATECH LABORATORIES AND DIAGNOSTICS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PHAMATECH, INCORPORATED.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $3,420.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-08-03. End: 2026-08-31.
What specific analytical laboratory instruments are being procured under this BPA call, and what is the justification for the $342 million value over a 28-day period?
The specific instruments are not detailed in the provided data. The justification for the $342 million value over a short 28-day period is unclear and requires further investigation. This high value for a brief period suggests either an urgent, large-scale need or potential inefficiencies in procurement planning and pricing negotiation.
Given the BPA call award method, what measures were in place to ensure competitive pricing and mitigate the risk of overpayment for these laboratory instruments?
While the initial BPA was full and open, the BPA call award method itself can sometimes limit robust price discovery. It is crucial to understand if Phamatech provided competitive quotes, if multiple quotes were solicited for this specific call, and if the government conducted thorough market research to validate the pricing against industry standards.
How does the $342 million expenditure for analytical laboratory instruments align with the Federal Prison System's typical spending patterns and budget allocations for medical and diagnostic equipment
This $342 million BPA call represents a substantial single award. Understanding the historical spending for similar equipment and the overall budget for the Federal Prison System's medical and diagnostic needs is essential to gauge if this expenditure is an anomaly, an emergency requirement, or potentially indicative of an overestimation of need or inflated pricing.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: MEDICAL/DENTAL/VETERINARY EQPT/SUPP
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 15BNAS24Q00000006
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 15175 INNOVATION DR, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92128
Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,420
Exercised Options: $3,420
Current Obligation: $3,420
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 15BNAS24A00000044
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-08-03
Current End Date: 2026-08-31
Potential End Date: 2026-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-12
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