VA awards $13.7M for blood bank reagents, consumables, and supplies to QuidelOrtho Sales Company

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,724 ($13.7K)

Contractor: Quidelortho Sales Company, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $38/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: BLOOD BANK TESTING REAGENTS, CONSUMABLES AND SUPPLIES

Place of Performance

Location: SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92121

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $13,724.18 to QUIDELORTHO SALES COMPANY, LLC for work described as: BLOOD BANK TESTING REAGENTS, CONSUMABLES AND SUPPLIES Key points: 1. Contract awarded through a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, indicating a pre-negotiated framework. 2. The contract duration is 364 days, suggesting a need for ongoing, routine supply. 3. The award is a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) type, providing cost certainty for the government. 4. The contractor, QuidelOrtho Sales Company, LLC, is a significant player in the diagnostics market. 5. The contract falls under the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing product service code. 6. This award represents a portion of the VA's broader spending on medical supplies and laboratory services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $13.7 million over one year for blood bank testing reagents, consumables, and supplies appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the products. Benchmarking against similar large-scale contracts for diagnostic reagents is challenging without more specific product details. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the pricing was determined to be acceptable at the time of award, offering predictability for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the use of a BPA Call suggests that QuidelOrtho Sales Company, LLC was likely one of several pre-qualified vendors under an existing BPA. This competitive approach generally fosters price discovery and encourages vendors to offer competitive terms.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best value by allowing a wide range of suppliers to bid, potentially driving down prices and improving the quality of goods and services.

Public Impact

Veterans receiving care through the VA healthcare system will benefit from the availability of essential blood bank testing reagents and supplies. The contract ensures the continuity of critical laboratory services required for diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and blood transfusions. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting VA medical centers nationwide that require these supplies. The contract supports the workforce involved in laboratory operations and diagnostics within the VA.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions if the sole awardee faces production or distribution issues.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical reagents could limit flexibility in adopting new technologies or products.
The specific product mix and quantities are not detailed, making it difficult to assess if the most cost-effective options were selected.

Positive Signals

Award to an established company with a known track record in the diagnostics industry.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides budget certainty for the VA.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process was utilized.
The contract is a BPA Call, implying a pre-existing relationship and potentially streamlined ordering process.

Sector Analysis

The market for blood bank testing reagents, consumables, and supplies is a critical segment of the broader in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) industry. This sector is characterized by high technological innovation, stringent regulatory requirements, and a mix of large, established players and specialized niche providers. Spending in this area is driven by the demand for accurate and timely diagnostic information in healthcare settings. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without granular data on specific reagent types and volumes, but the overall IVD market is substantial, with significant government procurement activity.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the awardee, QuidelOrtho Sales Company, LLC, is a large corporation. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within this specific award. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this particular contract appears limited, though the prime contractor may engage small businesses in its broader supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, likely through its contracting officers and program managers responsible for laboratory supplies. Accountability is ensured through the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified goods. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases where award details are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Supplies Contracts
Clinical Laboratory Reagents and Supplies
In-Vitro Diagnostics Procurement
Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) for Medical Equipment and Supplies
Defense Health Agency (DHA) Medical Procurement

Risk Flags

Supply Chain Dependency
Potential for Price Escalation
Limited Vendor Flexibility

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $13,724.18 to QUIDELORTHO SALES COMPANY, LLC. BLOOD BANK TESTING REAGENTS, CONSUMABLES AND SUPPLIES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is QUIDELORTHO SALES COMPANY, LLC.

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 $13,724.18.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for blood bank testing reagents and supplies by the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for blood bank testing reagents and supplies by the VA is crucial for understanding trends, identifying potential cost savings, and assessing the consistency of supply. While specific data for this exact category over multiple years is not provided in the summary, the VA consistently procures a wide range of medical and laboratory supplies. Past awards in similar categories often reveal fluctuations based on demand, new product introductions, and changes in contracting vehicles. A deeper dive into the VA's procurement history, potentially through tools like FPDS-NG or USAspending.gov, would be necessary to identify trends in annual spending, average contract values, and the number of awards made for these specific items. This historical context helps in evaluating whether the current $13.7 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these critical supplies.

How does the pricing of QuidelOrtho Sales Company, LLC compare to other potential suppliers for similar blood bank reagents?

Benchmarking the pricing of QuidelOrtho Sales Company, LLC against other potential suppliers for similar blood bank reagents is essential for ensuring value for money. Since this contract was awarded under full and open competition via a BPA Call, it implies that QuidelOrtho's pricing was deemed competitive among pre-qualified vendors. However, without access to the specific bid data or a broader market analysis of reagent pricing from competitors like Abbott Diagnostics, Roche Diagnostics, or Siemens Healthineers, a precise comparison is difficult. Factors influencing price include the specific product formulations, packaging, volume discounts, and the terms of the BPA. A comprehensive value assessment would require comparing unit prices for equivalent products across multiple vendors, considering factors like product performance, reliability, and support services.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the contractor's performance under this contract?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for a contract supplying blood bank testing reagents and consumables typically focus on ensuring the timely and reliable delivery of high-quality products. Common KPIs would likely include on-time delivery rates, order fill rates (ensuring all requested items are shipped), product quality and efficacy (meeting specifications and performing as expected in laboratory tests), and adherence to delivery schedules. For a firm fixed-price contract, meeting these performance standards is critical. The VA would likely monitor these metrics through regular reporting from the contractor and potentially through internal tracking of supply availability and usage. Failure to meet these KPIs could result in corrective actions, penalties, or impact future contract awards.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the availability of critical blood bank services for veterans?

This contract is directly linked to ensuring the consistent availability of critical blood bank services for veterans. Blood bank testing reagents and consumables are fundamental components for performing essential laboratory tests, including blood typing, crossmatching, disease screening, and monitoring of various medical conditions. By securing a reliable supply through QuidelOrtho Sales Company, LLC, the Department of Veterans Affairs aims to prevent disruptions in these vital services. This continuity is paramount for patient safety, enabling timely diagnoses, effective treatment planning, and safe blood transfusions, all of which are crucial for the health and well-being of the veteran population served by the VA.

Are there any identified risks associated with relying on QuidelOrtho Sales Company, LLC for these critical supplies?

While the award to an established company like QuidelOrtho Sales Company, LLC suggests a degree of reliability, potential risks always exist. One primary risk is supply chain vulnerability; any disruption in QuidelOrtho's manufacturing, logistics, or distribution network could impact the VA's ability to obtain necessary reagents. Another risk is the potential for price increases in future contract renewals, especially if competition diminishes or market conditions change. Furthermore, over-reliance on a single supplier, even with a competitive initial award, can limit the VA's flexibility to adopt newer, potentially more advanced or cost-effective technologies from other manufacturers. Continuous monitoring of the contractor's performance and market dynamics is necessary to mitigate these risks.

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

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9975 SUMMERS RIDGE RD, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92121

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,724

Exercised Options: $13,724

Current Obligation: $13,724

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C26026A0016

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline