VA awards $436K for Triple Quadrupole LC/MS System to Agilent Technologies, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $436,250 ($436.3K)

Contractor: Agilent Technologies Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-28

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 247 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TRIPLE QUADRUPOLE LC/MS SYSTEM

Place of Performance

Location: WILMINGTON, NEW CASTLE County, DELAWARE, 19808

State: Delaware Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $436,250.4 to AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC for work described as: TRIPLE QUADRUPOLE LC/MS SYSTEM Key points: 1. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is procuring a critical analytical instrument. 2. Agilent Technologies, Inc. is the sole awardee, indicating potential market concentration. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price delivery order, providing cost certainty. 4. The procurement falls under the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award price of $436,250.40 appears reasonable for a specialized Triple Quadrupole LC/MS system. Benchmarking against similar high-end analytical instruments suggests this price is within the expected range for advanced laboratory equipment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures the government receives fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for necessary scientific equipment.

Public Impact

Supports critical laboratory functions within the VA. Enhances diagnostic and analytical capabilities for medical research and patient care. Procurement of advanced scientific instrumentation is vital for maintaining healthcare quality.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole awardee may limit future competition.
Dependence on a single supplier for critical equipment.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.
Awarded under full and open competition.

Sector Analysis

This procurement falls within the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector, which is characterized by specialized, high-value equipment. Spending in this sector is driven by research, healthcare, and quality control needs.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate specific considerations or set-asides for small businesses in this particular award. Further analysis would be needed to determine the overall impact on small business participation in this contract vehicle.

Oversight & Accountability

The award is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, implying prior oversight. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs, and the full and open competition suggests a robust price discovery mechanism.

Related Government Programs

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to specialized nature of equipment.
Dependence on a single supplier for a critical instrument.
Lack of explicit small business participation noted.
Need for clarity on long-term operational and maintenance costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $436,250.4 to AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC. TRIPLE QUADRUPOLE LC/MS SYSTEM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES 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 $436,250.4.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-28. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the expected lifespan and maintenance cost of this specific LC/MS system to assess long-term value?

The expected lifespan and maintenance costs are crucial for a comprehensive value assessment beyond the initial purchase price. While the firm-fixed-price contract addresses acquisition cost, ongoing operational expenses, including service contracts, consumables, and potential repairs, can significantly impact the total cost of ownership over the system's useful life. Understanding these factors is essential for accurate budgeting and long-term financial planning.

Were there any performance or technical requirements that may have limited the number of potential bidders, despite full and open competition?

While the contract states 'full and open competition,' highly specialized equipment like a Triple Quadrupole LC/MS system often has stringent technical specifications. These requirements, such as sensitivity, resolution, or specific software compatibility, can inherently limit the pool of manufacturers and vendors capable of meeting them. This can lead to a de facto limited competition, even if the solicitation was broadly advertised.

How does the VA plan to ensure adequate training and support for personnel operating this advanced instrument to maximize its effectiveness?

Effective utilization of advanced analytical instruments like an LC/MS system hinges on proper user training and ongoing technical support. The VA should have a clear plan, potentially including vendor-provided training sessions, internal expertise development, and readily accessible technical assistance, to ensure personnel can operate the equipment proficiently. This maximizes the return on investment and ensures the accuracy and reliability of the generated data for critical research and diagnostic purposes.

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: Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Address: 2850 CENTERVILLE RD, WILMINGTON, DE, 19808

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $436,250

Exercised Options: $436,250

Current Obligation: $436,250

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07F0564X

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline