VA awards $26.4M for Coagulation Supplies, highlighting potential for analytical instrument manufacturing needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,441 ($26.4K)

Contractor: Werfen USA LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 182 days

Daily Burn Rate: $145/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: COAGULATION SUPPLIES / CPRR

Place of Performance

Location: OMAHA, DOUGLAS County, NEBRASKA, 68105

State: Nebraska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $26,440.94 to WERFEN USA LLC for work described as: COAGULATION SUPPLIES / CPRR Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these specialized supplies. 3. Fixed-price contract structure mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Contract duration of 182 days indicates a focused need for specific supplies. 5. The award to WERFEN USA LLC suggests a reliance on established suppliers in this niche. 6. Geographic location in Nebraska (NE) may influence logistics and delivery timelines.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $26.4 million for coagulation supplies and related analytical instruments seems aligned with specialized medical equipment procurement. Benchmarking against similar contracts for laboratory instruments and reagents would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The firm fixed-price nature of the award suggests that pricing was determined upfront, which can be advantageous if the contractor's costs are well-managed. However, without specific details on the quantity and type of instruments and supplies, a precise value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors were likely solicited and had the opportunity to bid. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, driving better pricing and innovation. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust bidding process. This level of competition is ideal for ensuring the government receives the best possible value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through potentially lower prices and a wider selection of quality goods and services. It ensures that public funds are used efficiently by preventing single-source price inflation.

Public Impact

Veterans Affairs medical facilities will benefit from access to essential coagulation supplies and analytical instruments. The contract supports the delivery of critical diagnostic services within VA healthcare. The geographic impact is primarily within VA facilities served by the Nebraska region, though broader implications for national VA supply chains may exist. The contract supports the specialized manufacturing sector for analytical laboratory instruments.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions if WERFEN USA LLC faces production or logistical issues.
Dependence on a single awardee for a critical supply category could pose a risk if not managed proactively.
Ensuring the long-term availability and compatibility of analytical instruments and their associated supplies.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive market and potentially favorable pricing.
Firm fixed-price contract type helps control costs and provides budget certainty.
The contract specifies a clear end date, allowing for re-evaluation of needs and competition in the future.

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls within the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector, a specialized area of healthcare technology. This sector is characterized by high research and development costs, stringent regulatory requirements, and a need for precision engineering. The market size for such instruments is significant, driven by the increasing demand for accurate and rapid diagnostic testing across healthcare systems. This contract represents a specific instance of federal spending within this critical technological domain, likely supporting the VA's diagnostic capabilities.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (sb) is marked as 'NE' (Not Elsewhere), and the contract is not a small business set-aside (ss: false). This suggests that the primary award was not specifically targeted towards small businesses. However, the prime contractor, WERFEN USA LLC, may engage small businesses for subcontracting opportunities, particularly in areas like logistics, maintenance, or component supply, though this is not explicitly detailed in the award information.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified goods and services. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Medical Supplies Procurement
Laboratory Equipment
Diagnostic Testing Services
Veterans Health Administration Contracts
Analytical Instruments

Risk Flags

Potential supply chain vulnerability
Dependence on single supplier for critical items
Need for ongoing performance monitoring

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $26,440.94 to WERFEN USA LLC. COAGULATION SUPPLIES / CPRR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WERFEN USA 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 $26,440.94.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the historical spending pattern for coagulation supplies and related analytical instruments by the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for coagulation supplies and analytical instruments by the VA is crucial for understanding long-term needs and budget trends. While this specific award is for $26.4 million, examining previous years' expenditures on similar items would reveal if this represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment. Factors such as changes in medical technology, patient volume, and specific diagnostic requirements within VA facilities influence these patterns. A trend analysis could highlight periods of significant investment or potential cost-saving opportunities. Without access to historical VA procurement data specifically filtered for these categories, a precise historical comparison cannot be made, but such an analysis would typically involve reviewing contract awards over a 5-10 year period to identify consistent spending levels or shifts in procurement focus.

How does the pricing of WERFEN USA LLC's coagulation supplies compare to other market providers for similar VA contracts?

Benchmarking the pricing of WERFEN USA LLC's coagulation supplies against other market providers is essential for assessing value for money. Since this contract was awarded under full and open competition, it implies that other vendors were given the opportunity to bid. A detailed price comparison would involve analyzing the unit costs of specific reagents, consumables, and potentially instrument components offered by WERFEN USA LLC against quotes or awarded prices from competitors for equivalent products. Factors such as volume discounts, contract duration, and specific product specifications can influence price variations. If WERFEN USA LLC's pricing is significantly higher than comparable offerings without a clear justification (e.g., superior quality, unique features), it could indicate a suboptimal value outcome for the VA. Conversely, competitive pricing suggests efficient market dynamics at play.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the performance of WERFEN USA LLC under this contract?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract would likely focus on the timely and accurate delivery of coagulation supplies and the operational status of any associated analytical instruments. Specific KPIs could include: On-Time Delivery Rate (ensuring supplies arrive by the required dates), Order Accuracy (verifying that the correct items and quantities are delivered), Equipment Uptime/Availability (if instruments are included and maintained under the contract), and Quality Control Compliance (adherence to product specifications and performance standards). The VA contracting officer would monitor these KPIs throughout the contract period. Failure to meet established KPIs could trigger corrective actions, penalties, or impact future contract awards. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract incentivizes the contractor to meet these performance standards to avoid financial repercussions.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the broader market for analytical laboratory instruments?

This $26.4 million contract for coagulation supplies and analytical instruments awarded to WERFEN USA LLC has a notable impact on the specialized market for laboratory diagnostics. As a significant procurement by a major federal agency, it validates WERFEN USA LLC's position and capabilities within this sector. It can influence market dynamics by setting benchmarks for pricing, product performance, and service delivery. For other manufacturers, this award highlights the VA's needs and potentially signals opportunities or competitive pressures. The contract's duration and scope may also encourage innovation or investment in related technologies by suppliers seeking to compete for future federal contracts. Furthermore, it contributes to the overall economic activity within the analytical instrument manufacturing industry.

Are there any identified risks associated with the contractor, WERFEN USA LLC, based on past performance or financial stability?

Assessing risks associated with WERFEN USA LLC requires a review of their past performance history and financial stability, which is not detailed in the provided award data. Federal agencies typically conduct pre-award assessments, including reviewing past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) and financial health indicators. If WERFEN USA LLC has a history of performance issues, such as missed deadlines, quality deficiencies, or financial instability, it would represent a higher risk for this contract. Conversely, a strong track record of successful contract completion and sound financial footing would indicate a lower risk profile. Without access to these specific risk assessments, it is assumed the VA performed due diligence prior to awarding this contract.

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: 180 HARTWELL RD, BEDFORD, MA, 01730

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,545

Exercised Options: $26,545

Current Obligation: $26,441

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C26326A0013

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline