GSA Awards $3M for Analytical Lab System to W S Darley & Co, Highlighting Specialized Equipment Needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,040,775 ($3.0M)

Contractor: W S Darley & CO

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2025-08-20

End Date: 2025-11-05

Contract Duration: 77 days

Daily Burn Rate: $39.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CONTRACT AWARD FOR 0673 MESO QUICKPLEX SQ 120BT ANALYTICAL LABORATORY SYSTEM PROGRAM

Place of Performance

Location: GUNPOWDER, HARFORD County, MARYLAND, 21010

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $3.0 million to W S DARLEY & CO for work described as: CONTRACT AWARD FOR 0673 MESO QUICKPLEX SQ 120BT ANALYTICAL LABORATORY SYSTEM PROGRAM Key points: 1. The award focuses on a specialized analytical laboratory system, indicating a need for precise scientific instrumentation. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a potentially competitive but specific market. 3. The contract value of $3.04M for a 77-day duration warrants scrutiny for efficiency and value. 4. The sector appears to be specialized scientific equipment manufacturing, a niche within broader manufacturing.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The $3.04M award for a 77-day delivery order seems high for the duration, suggesting specialized, high-value equipment. Benchmarking against similar complex analytical systems is needed.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' indicating a specific set of qualified bidders were identified. This method can limit broader competition but ensures technical capability.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for specialized scientific equipment, the value of which depends on its essentiality and operational efficiency for government functions.

Public Impact

Procurement of advanced analytical systems supports critical government research or operational needs. The award highlights the government's reliance on specialized manufacturers for advanced scientific tools. Ensuring the system meets stringent performance requirements is key to realizing its public benefit.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

High per-unit cost implied by short duration and significant award value.
Limited competition method may restrict price discovery.
Unclear if this is a sole-source situation due to source exclusion.

Positive Signals

Awarded to a known entity (W S Darley & Co).
Clear delivery timeline specified.

Sector Analysis

This award falls within the Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing sector, which includes specialized scientific and laboratory equipment. Spending benchmarks for such niche procurements are difficult to establish without more detail on the system's capabilities.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, W S Darley & Co, is not indicated as a small business. The procurement process did not explicitly prioritize small business participation, suggesting the focus was on specialized technical capabilities.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) managed this award through its Federal Acquisition Service. Oversight should focus on ensuring the delivered system meets all technical specifications and performance requirements within the fixed price.

Related Government Programs

Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

High cost for a short-duration delivery order.
Limited competition method.
Lack of detail on system capabilities and specific need.
Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen issues arise with specialized equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $3.0 million to W S DARLEY & CO. CONTRACT AWARD FOR 0673 MESO QUICKPLEX SQ 120BT ANALYTICAL LABORATORY SYSTEM PROGRAM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is W S DARLEY & CO.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-20. End: 2025-11-05.

What specific analytical capabilities does the MESO QUICKPLEX SQ 120BT system provide, and how do these capabilities justify the $3.04M cost?

The specific analytical capabilities of the MESO QUICKPLEX SQ 120BT system are not detailed in the provided data. However, the significant cost suggests it is a highly sophisticated instrument, likely performing complex assays or measurements critical for scientific research, diagnostics, or quality control. Further documentation would be needed to ascertain the precise functions and their alignment with the expenditure.

What were the specific reasons for excluding other sources, and did this exclusion limit the potential for cost savings?

The exclusion of other sources was likely due to the highly specialized nature of the MESO QUICKPLEX SQ 120BT system, potentially requiring unique manufacturing capabilities, proprietary technology, or specific certifications held only by W S Darley & Co. While this ensures technical suitability, it inherently limits the competitive landscape, potentially impacting price discovery and the opportunity for greater cost savings compared to a broader competition.

How will the effectiveness and long-term value of this analytical laboratory system be measured post-delivery?

The effectiveness and long-term value will be measured by the system's ability to consistently meet or exceed its specified performance metrics, support the intended research or operational mission without failure, and contribute to achieving program objectives. Post-delivery, this includes tracking uptime, accuracy of results, maintenance costs, and its overall contribution to the agency's goals over its lifecycle.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QFNA25Q0127

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 325 SPRING LAKE DR, ITASCA, IL, 60143

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,040,775

Exercised Options: $3,040,775

Current Obligation: $3,040,775

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QFNA20D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline