VA Awards $2.9M for Reagents, Supporting Analytical Lab Instrument Manufacturing
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,908,651 ($2.9M)
Contractor: Cepheid
Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs
Start Date: 2023-08-01
End Date: 2025-07-31
Contract Duration: 730 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: REAGENTS
Place of Performance
Location: SUNNYVALE, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94089
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $2.9 million to CEPHEID for work described as: REAGENTS Key points: 1. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded a $2.9 million contract for reagents. 2. The contract was awarded to Cepheid, a significant player in the diagnostics market. 3. The spending falls under the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector. 4. This award represents a moderate investment within the broader federal laboratory supply chain.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.9 million for reagents appears reasonable given the duration and the nature of laboratory supplies. Benchmarking against similar reagent contracts would provide a more precise assessment of value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded using full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to competitive pricing as multiple vendors have the opportunity to bid.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is expected to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for necessary reagents.
Public Impact
Ensures availability of critical reagents for VA laboratory instruments. Supports the operational capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs' diagnostic services. Contributes to the broader healthcare infrastructure by supplying essential lab materials. Potentially impacts patient care through reliable diagnostic testing capabilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for price increases in future contract renewals.
- Dependence on a single supplier for specific reagent types.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports a critical government function (veteran healthcare).
- Long-term contract provides supply chain stability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector, which is crucial for scientific research and healthcare diagnostics. Federal spending in this area supports innovation and operational capabilities across various agencies.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this specific award. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract to ensure timely delivery and quality of reagents. Standard procurement oversight processes should be in place.
Related Government Programs
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
- Department of Veterans Affairs Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for sole-source dependency in future
- Price volatility of specialized reagents
- Supply chain vulnerability for critical components
- Limited visibility into specific reagent types
Tags
analytical-laboratory-instrument-manufac, department-of-veterans-affairs, ca, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $2.9 million to CEPHEID. REAGENTS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CEPHEID.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-08-01. End: 2025-07-31.
What is the specific type of reagent being procured and its criticality to VA operations?
The specific type of reagent is not detailed in the provided data. However, reagents are fundamental consumables for laboratory instruments, essential for diagnostic testing, research, and quality control. Their criticality to VA operations likely relates to supporting medical diagnoses, monitoring patient health, and ensuring the accuracy of laboratory results for veterans.
What are the potential risks associated with relying on Cepheid for these reagents?
Potential risks include supply chain disruptions, price increases in future contract periods, or a lack of alternative suppliers if Cepheid's products become proprietary or difficult to substitute. Over-reliance could also limit the VA's flexibility in adopting newer or more cost-effective reagent technologies from other manufacturers.
How does this spending align with the VA's overall budget for laboratory supplies and diagnostics?
This $2.9 million award represents a specific investment in reagents. To assess alignment, it would need to be compared against the VA's total allocated budget for laboratory supplies, diagnostic equipment, and related services. Understanding the proportion this contract represents is key to evaluating its budgetary significance.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Danaher Corporation
Address: 904, EAST CARIBBEAN DRIVE, SUNNYVALE, CA, 94089
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $5,277,955
Exercised Options: $2,958,754
Current Obligation: $2,908,651
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS07F0597T
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-08-01
Current End Date: 2025-07-31
Potential End Date: 2028-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-04
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