EPA Spends $175,570 on Agilent GC/MS System for Environmental Analysis

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $175,570 ($175.6K)

Contractor: Agilent Technologies Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2024-11-29

End Date: 2028-01-31

Contract Duration: 1,158 days

Daily Burn Rate: $152/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 1.1F LS239, PURCHASE OF AN AGILENT 8890/5977 GC/MS SYSTEM PURCHASE OF AN AGILENT 8890/5977 GC/MS 175,569.92 AND ALL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES PER AGILENT PRICING NUMBER 0004924929 DATED 10/21/2024.

Place of Performance

Location: WILMINGTON, NEW CASTLE County, DELAWARE, 19808

State: Delaware Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $175,569.92 to AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC for work described as: 1.1F LS239, PURCHASE OF AN AGILENT 8890/5977 GC/MS SYSTEM PURCHASE OF AN AGILENT 8890/5977 GC/MS 175,569.92 AND ALL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES PER AGILENT PRICING NUMBER 0004924929 DATED 10/21/2024. Key points: 1. The purchase of an Agilent 8890/5977 GC/MS system for $175,570.92 was awarded to Agilent Technologies Inc. 2. This acquisition falls under the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The system is intended for use by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is expected to be delivered by January 31, 2028.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The price of $175,570.92 for the Agilent 8890/5977 GC/MS system appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized analytical laboratory equipment. Benchmarking against similar high-end GC/MS systems from other manufacturers would provide a more definitive assessment.

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 had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests that taxpayers are likely receiving a fair price for this essential analytical equipment.

Public Impact

Enhances EPA's environmental monitoring and analysis capabilities. Supports regulatory compliance and scientific research. Potential for improved detection of environmental contaminants. Long-term operational costs and maintenance need to be considered.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
Potential for obsolescence of technology over the system's lifespan.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Acquisition of advanced analytical instrumentation.

Sector Analysis

The Environmental Protection Agency's acquisition of an Agilent GC/MS system falls within the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector. Spending in this sector is driven by research, development, and regulatory needs across various government agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that the contract was awarded to Agilent Technologies Inc., a large corporation. There is no specific indication of small business participation in this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made as a delivery order under an existing contract, suggesting that oversight mechanisms are in place. However, detailed oversight of the specific performance and value of this individual order would depend on EPA's internal procurement and contract management processes.

Related Government Programs

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
Environmental Protection Agency Contracting
Environmental Protection Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for technology obsolescence.
Long-term maintenance and operational costs not detailed.
No explicit mention of small business subcontracting.
Dependence on a single vendor for specialized equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $175,569.92 to AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC. 1.1F LS239, PURCHASE OF AN AGILENT 8890/5977 GC/MS SYSTEM PURCHASE OF AN AGILENT 8890/5977 GC/MS 175,569.92 AND ALL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES PER AGILENT PRICING NUMBER 0004924929 DATED 10/21/2024.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $175,569.92.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-11-29. End: 2028-01-31.

What is the expected lifespan and maintenance cost of this Agilent GC/MS system?

The expected lifespan of an Agilent 8890/5977 GC/MS system can typically range from 7 to 10 years with proper maintenance. Annual maintenance contracts can vary but often fall between 10-15% of the initial purchase price. Specific costs for this unit would depend on the service plan chosen by the EPA and the frequency of use.

How does the performance of this specific GC/MS model compare to other leading instruments in terms of sensitivity and detection limits?

The Agilent 8890/5977 GC/MS system is a high-performance instrument known for its sensitivity and reliability in detecting a wide range of compounds. Its quadrupole mass selective detector (5977) offers excellent selectivity and low detection limits, making it suitable for complex environmental matrices. Comparisons with competitors would involve detailed technical specifications and application-specific testing.

What specific environmental analyses will this system be used for, and what is the anticipated impact on EPA's mission effectiveness?

This GC/MS system is likely to be used for identifying and quantifying volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds in various environmental samples, such as air, water, and soil. Its advanced capabilities can improve the accuracy and speed of environmental monitoring, leading to more effective regulatory enforcement, risk assessment, and the development of environmental protection strategies.

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: $175,570

Exercised Options: $175,570

Current Obligation: $175,570

Actual Outlays: $175,570

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07F0564X

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline