DHS awards $5M for Raman/FTIR chemical analyzers to Fisher Scientific, enhancing border security

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,029,780 ($5.0M)

Contractor: Fisher Scientific Company L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2025-09-27

End Date: 2025-11-26

Contract Duration: 60 days

Daily Burn Rate: $83.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: HANDHELD CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVE AND NARCOTICS ANALYZERS WITH RAMAN AND FOURIER-TRANSFORM INFRARED (FTIR) SPECTROSCOPY.

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, LOUDOUN County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20598

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $5.0 million to FISHER SCIENTIFIC COMPANY L.L.C. for work described as: HANDHELD CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVE AND NARCOTICS ANALYZERS WITH RAMAN AND FOURIER-TRANSFORM INFRARED (FTIR) SPECTROSCOPY. Key points: 1. High-tech chemical analysis tools are crucial for detecting explosives and narcotics. 2. Fisher Scientific is a major supplier in scientific instrumentation. 3. Potential risks include reliance on a single vendor for specialized equipment and maintenance. 4. The IT and Defense sectors often utilize similar advanced analytical technologies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award of $5,029,780 for handheld analyzers appears reasonable given the advanced technology (Raman and FTIR spectroscopy) and the critical national security application. Benchmarking against similar specialized analytical equipment suggests this price is within an expected range.

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 competitive process likely contributed to achieving a fair market price for these sophisticated devices.

Taxpayer Impact: The investment in advanced detection technology is expected to improve national security, potentially preventing illicit substance and explosive entry, thus safeguarding the public and reducing long-term societal costs.

Public Impact

Enhanced border security through improved detection of dangerous substances. Increased safety for law enforcement and customs agents in the field. Potential for faster and more accurate threat identification at ports of entry.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 84 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited duration of contract (60 days) may necessitate future procurements.
No explicit mention of small business participation.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Utilizes advanced technology for critical security functions.
Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls within the broader category of scientific and medical equipment, often utilized by government agencies for research, testing, and security. Spending benchmarks for such specialized analytical instruments can vary widely based on technological sophistication and application.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities for small business subcontracting were explored or if this specific technology is dominated by larger firms.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Homeland Security, specifically U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is responsible for this procurement. Oversight would involve ensuring the equipment meets specifications, is delivered on time, and performs as expected in operational environments.

Related Government Programs

Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in for specialized maintenance and consumables.
Limited contract duration may require rapid follow-on procurements.
No indication of small business participation.
Reliance on advanced technology requires robust training and support infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $5.0 million to FISHER SCIENTIFIC COMPANY L.L.C.. HANDHELD CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVE AND NARCOTICS ANALYZERS WITH RAMAN AND FOURIER-TRANSFORM INFRARED (FTIR) SPECTROSCOPY.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FISHER SCIENTIFIC COMPANY L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-27. End: 2025-11-26.

What is the expected lifespan and maintenance cost of these handheld analyzers to fully assess long-term value?

The provided data does not specify the expected lifespan or ongoing maintenance costs for the handheld chemical analyzers. Understanding these factors is crucial for a comprehensive total cost of ownership analysis. Without this information, it's difficult to definitively assess the long-term value beyond the initial purchase price and the 60-day delivery period.

How will the performance of these analyzers be validated against known threats and potential false positive rates in real-world conditions?

Validation of the analyzers' performance, including their accuracy against known threats and their false positive/negative rates, is critical. This typically occurs through rigorous testing and evaluation protocols established by the agency before full deployment. The effectiveness of the technology in operational settings will determine its true risk mitigation value.

Are there plans for follow-on contracts or sustainment services to ensure the continued operational effectiveness of this technology?

Given the short 60-day delivery period and the specialized nature of the equipment, it is highly probable that follow-on contracts for sustainment, calibration, and potentially additional units will be necessary. Planning for these future needs is essential to ensure the long-term operational effectiveness and return on investment for this critical security technology.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing › Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70B03C25Q00000322

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 300 INDUSTRY DR, PITTSBURGH, PA, 15275

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,029,780

Exercised Options: $5,029,780

Current Obligation: $5,029,780

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07F161BA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline