VA Awards $421K for Blood Culture System and Reagents to BIOMERIEUX INC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $421,736 ($421.7K)

Contractor: Biomerieux Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2023-08-01

End Date: 2024-07-31

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: OPT 3 - VISN 15 - BLOOD CULTURE SYSTEM, TO INCLUDE REAGENTS, VIRTUO EQUIPMENT , MYLA MIDDLEWARE, PHYSICAL SERVERS, AND SUPPORT DURING POP: 08/01/2023 - 07/31/2024

Place of Performance

Location: SALT LAKE CITY, SALT LAKE County, UTAH, 84108

State: Utah Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $421,736.3 to BIOMERIEUX INC for work described as: OPT 3 - VISN 15 - BLOOD CULTURE SYSTEM, TO INCLUDE REAGENTS, VIRTUO EQUIPMENT , MYLA MIDDLEWARE, PHYSICAL SERVERS, AND SUPPORT DURING POP: 08/01/2023 - 07/31/2024 Key points: 1. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded a $421,736.30 contract for a blood culture system, reagents, and related equipment. 2. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a focus on smaller procurements. 3. The award was a Delivery Order under an existing contract, suggesting a continuation of a previous relationship or established framework. 4. The primary sector appears to be healthcare, specifically in vitro diagnostics.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $421,736.30 for a one-year period seems reasonable for a specialized medical system including equipment, reagents, and support. Benchmarking against similar VA or DoD contracts for blood culture systems would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP, which typically involves simplified procedures and may limit the number of potential offerors compared to full and open competition. This method can expedite the acquisition process but might not always yield the lowest possible price.

Taxpayer Impact: The award represents a necessary expenditure for healthcare services, with the cost likely justified by the specialized nature of the equipment and reagents required for accurate blood culture analysis.

Public Impact

Ensures critical diagnostic capabilities for veterans' healthcare within VISN 15. Supports timely and accurate identification of infections through advanced blood culture technology. Maintains operational readiness for laboratory services within the VA healthcare system.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP may not have explored all available market options.
Contract duration is one year, requiring future re-competition or extension.

Positive Signals

Awarded to a known vendor (BIOMERIEUX INC), suggesting familiarity and potentially established performance.
Utilizes an existing contract vehicle (Delivery Order), implying streamlined procurement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the healthcare sector, specifically focusing on medical equipment and diagnostic supplies. Spending benchmarks for similar in-vitro diagnostic systems within the federal government can vary widely based on system complexity, vendor, and contract terms.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific set-aside for small businesses. The award was made to BIOMERIEUX INC, a large business, suggesting that small business participation was not a primary focus for this particular procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms would apply to ensure proper performance and financial accountability.

Related Government Programs

In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for price increases in future contract periods.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical supplies and equipment.
Limited competition under SAP may not have yielded the most competitive pricing.
Need for ongoing monitoring of vendor performance and market alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $421,736.3 to BIOMERIEUX INC. OPT 3 - VISN 15 - BLOOD CULTURE SYSTEM, TO INCLUDE REAGENTS, VIRTUO EQUIPMENT , MYLA MIDDLEWARE, PHYSICAL SERVERS, AND SUPPORT DURING POP: 08/01/2023 - 07/31/2024

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BIOMERIEUX INC.

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 $421,736.3.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-01. End: 2024-07-31.

What is the specific clinical impact of this blood culture system on patient outcomes?

The blood culture system is crucial for rapidly and accurately detecting bloodstream infections, which can be life-threatening. Early and precise identification of pathogens allows for timely administration of appropriate antibiotics, directly improving patient outcomes, reducing hospital stays, and minimizing the risk of sepsis or other complications.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single vendor for this critical equipment and reagents?

Reliance on a single vendor, even if through a competed contract, carries risks such as price increases in future procurements, potential supply chain disruptions, and limited access to alternative technologies or service providers. This could impact the VA's ability to secure the best value and maintain uninterrupted operations.

How does the performance of this system compare to other available blood culture technologies in terms of speed and accuracy?

BIOMERIEUX's systems are generally recognized for their speed and accuracy in blood culture analysis. However, a direct comparison against competing technologies would require specific performance data from clinical trials or comparative studies. The VA's choice likely reflects a balance of performance, cost, and existing infrastructure.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing › In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL/DENTAL/VETERINARY EQPT/SUPP

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 100 RODOLPHE ST, DURHAM, NC, 27712

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $421,736

Exercised Options: $421,736

Current Obligation: $421,736

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C25520D0027

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline