VA awards $358K contract for Ion S5 Plus Sequencer maintenance to Life Technologies Corp
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $35,863 ($35.9K)
Contractor: Life Technologies Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs
Start Date: 2025-08-06
End Date: 2027-08-05
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $49/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE FOR GOVERNMENT OWNED ION S5 PLUS SEQUENCER
Place of Performance
Location: LITTLE ROCK, PULASKI County, ARKANSAS, 72205
State: Arkansas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $35,863.12 to LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION for work described as: PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE FOR GOVERNMENT OWNED ION S5 PLUS SEQUENCER Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential preventive maintenance on specialized scientific equipment. 2. Sole source award to Life Technologies Corporation, the original equipment manufacturer. 3. Potential risk of higher costs due to lack of competition. 4. Spending falls within the typical range for specialized equipment maintenance.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $358,631.12 over two years appears reasonable for specialized equipment maintenance. However, without competitive bidding, it's difficult to ascertain if this represents the best possible price.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was awarded sole-source to Life Technologies Corporation, the original manufacturer. This limits price discovery and may lead to higher costs than if competition were allowed.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the lack of competitive bidding for this essential maintenance service.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operation of critical research and diagnostic equipment. Supports the Department of Veterans Affairs' ability to conduct scientific analysis. Potential for increased costs impacts overall budget allocation for VA research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 49 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price negotiation.
- Potential for price escalation without market pressure.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical maintenance.
Positive Signals
- Ensures continuity of essential equipment operation.
- Awarded to the original equipment manufacturer, likely ensuring quality service.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance sector. Spending on specialized equipment maintenance can vary widely, but this amount is moderate for a two-year service contract on advanced scientific instruments.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Life Technologies Corporation, a large business. There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific procurement.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made via a purchase order by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Standard procurement oversight processes should apply, but the sole-source nature warrants careful review of justification and pricing.
Related Government Programs
- Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance
- Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
- Department of Veterans Affairs Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpricing
- Reliance on OEM
Tags
electronic-and-precision-equipment-repai, department-of-veterans-affairs, ar, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $35,863.12 to LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE FOR GOVERNMENT OWNED ION S5 PLUS SEQUENCER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION.
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 $35,863.12.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-08-06. End: 2027-08-05.
What is the justification for the sole-source award, and has it been adequately documented?
The justification for a sole-source award typically centers on the unique capabilities or proprietary nature of the product or service, often requiring the original equipment manufacturer. For this contract, the VA would need to document why only Life Technologies Corporation could provide the necessary preventive maintenance for the Ion S5 Plus Sequencer, ensuring no viable alternatives exist and that the price is fair and reasonable.
What is the potential cost impact of this sole-source award compared to a competitive process?
Sole-source awards often result in higher costs because they eliminate the competitive pressure that drives down prices. Without bids from other qualified vendors, Life Technologies Corporation may charge a premium. A competitive process could have potentially yielded a lower price, saving taxpayer dollars, though the specialized nature of the equipment might limit the number of potential bidders.
How will the VA ensure the effectiveness and value of the maintenance services provided under this contract?
The VA can ensure effectiveness by establishing clear performance standards and key performance indicators (KPIs) within the contract. Regular performance reviews, monitoring of equipment uptime, and prompt resolution of any issues will be crucial. Maintaining detailed service records and comparing them against industry benchmarks can also help assess the value received.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance › Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance
Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 36C25625Q0942
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3175 STALEY RD, GRAND ISLAND, NY, 14072
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $111,991
Exercised Options: $35,863
Current Obligation: $35,863
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-08-06
Current End Date: 2027-08-05
Potential End Date: 2030-08-05 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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