EPA Spends $226K on Agilent LCMSMS Maintenance via BPA, Lacking Full Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,623 ($22.6K)

Contractor: Agilent Technologies Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $62/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TO PURCHASE A ONE YEAR MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT FOR AGILENT 6460 LCMSMS. USE AGENCY'S BPA WITH AGILENT: HTTPS://WORK.EPA.GOV/STRATEGIC-SOURCING/AGILENT. FOR LABORATORY EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE (LEM) WORK THAT MUST BE PERFORMED BY AGILENT, THIS IS THE

Place of Performance

Location: FORT GEORGE G MEADE, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 20755

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $22,623.48 to AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC for work described as: TO PURCHASE A ONE YEAR MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT FOR AGILENT 6460 LCMSMS. USE AGENCY'S BPA WITH AGILENT: HTTPS://WORK.EPA.GOV/STRATEGIC-SOURCING/AGILENT. FOR LABORATORY EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE (LEM) WORK THAT MUST BE PERFORMED BY AGILENT, THIS IS THE Key points: 1. Spending is for a one-year maintenance agreement for Agilent 6460 LCMSMS. 2. The purchase utilizes an existing BPA with Agilent, limiting full and open competition. 3. The contract is firm-fixed-price, providing cost certainty for the agency. 4. The primary risk lies in the lack of competitive bidding for this specific maintenance service.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract price of $226,234.48 for a one-year maintenance agreement for an Agilent 6460 LCMSMS is difficult to benchmark without specific details on the service level and included components. However, given the specialized nature of laboratory equipment maintenance, pricing is often dictated by the manufacturer.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded using an agency's BPA with Agilent, which is categorized as limited competition. While BPAs can offer efficiency, this method bypasses full and open competition for this specific maintenance need, potentially impacting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for this maintenance agreement. The lack of full competition may result in a higher price than could be achieved through a more competitive process.

Public Impact

Essential laboratory equipment maintenance ensures the continued operation of critical scientific instruments for the EPA. The use of a BPA streamlines the procurement process but reduces opportunities for competitive pricing. This spending supports the ongoing scientific research and environmental monitoring conducted by the agency.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 62 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition
Sole-source potential for maintenance

Positive Signals

Use of existing BPA
Firm-fixed-price contract

Sector Analysis

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) operates in the scientific and research sector, requiring specialized equipment like LCMSMS for its analytical functions. Spending on maintenance for such instruments is crucial for operational continuity and is often dominated by original equipment manufacturers.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded to Agilent Technologies Inc., a large business. There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific procurement, nor is it likely given the specialized nature of the maintenance service.

Oversight & Accountability

The use of an existing BPA suggests some level of prior oversight and established terms. However, the specific oversight applied to this call order and the justification for not seeking broader competition would require further review.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for vendor lock-in
Lack of price benchmarking
Reliance on manufacturer for specialized maintenance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $22,623.48 to AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC. TO PURCHASE A ONE YEAR MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT FOR AGILENT 6460 LCMSMS. USE AGENCY'S BPA WITH AGILENT: HTTPS://WORK.EPA.GOV/STRATEGIC-SOURCING/AGILENT. FOR LABORATORY EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE (LEM) WORK THAT MUST BE PERFORMED BY AGILENT, THIS IS THE

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 $22,623.48.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the justification for using the existing BPA instead of seeking competitive quotes for this specific maintenance agreement?

The justification likely stems from the specialized nature of the Agilent 6460 LCMSMS maintenance, which may require manufacturer-specific expertise and parts. Utilizing an existing BPA can also streamline the acquisition process, reducing administrative burden and lead times, though it limits competitive opportunities.

What are the potential cost implications of relying on a single vendor for specialized laboratory equipment maintenance?

Relying on a single vendor, especially the original equipment manufacturer, for specialized maintenance can lead to higher costs due to a lack of competitive pressure. This can include inflated prices for parts, labor, and service contracts, potentially resulting in a less favorable value for taxpayer money.

How does the EPA ensure the effectiveness and value of maintenance services obtained through BPAs for critical laboratory equipment?

The EPA likely ensures effectiveness through performance metrics outlined in the BPA or call order, service level agreements, and regular reviews of equipment uptime and repair history. Value is assessed by comparing costs against industry benchmarks and the criticality of the equipment to the agency's mission.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

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

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: $22,623

Exercised Options: $22,623

Current Obligation: $22,623

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERH23A0002

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline