HHS CDC Awards $9.9M Contract to Ecolab for Bioquell Qube M-2 Preventative Maintenance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,900 ($9.9K)

Contractor: Ecolab Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 362 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE SERVICE FOR BIOQUELL QUBE M-2 SYSTEM

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, DEKALB County, GEORGIA, 30329

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $9,900 to ECOLAB INC for work described as: PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE SERVICE FOR BIOQUELL QUBE M-2 SYSTEM Key points: 1. Ecolab Inc. secured a $9.9 million contract for essential maintenance of Bioquell Qube M-2 systems. 2. The contract duration is 362 days, indicating a need for ongoing support. 3. The award was made on a Firm Fixed Price basis, providing cost certainty. 4. This service is critical for maintaining the operational readiness of specialized equipment within the CDC.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $9.9 million for 362 days of service appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the equipment. Benchmarking against similar maintenance contracts for advanced laboratory equipment would provide a clearer picture of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, suggesting a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs compared to a competitive process. Justification for the sole-source nature is crucial for assessing fairness.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for this contract. Without competition, there's a risk of overpayment, impacting the efficient use of public resources.

Public Impact

Ensures the continued functionality of critical decontamination equipment used in public health settings. Supports the operational capacity of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in its mission. Potential for increased costs due to lack of competitive bidding. Reliability of essential public health infrastructure is maintained.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for inflated pricing
Limited transparency in award process

Positive Signals

Essential service for critical equipment
Fixed price contract provides cost predictability
Long-term support ensures operational continuity

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the Testing Laboratories and Services sector (NAICS 541380). Spending in this sector often involves specialized equipment maintenance and calibration, crucial for research and public health operations. Benchmarks for similar specialized equipment maintenance contracts are often high due to unique technical requirements.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, Ecolab Inc., is a large corporation. There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific procurement, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight of this sole-source contract should focus on ensuring the necessity of the service and validating that the pricing is fair and reasonable, potentially through independent cost analysis or market research.

Related Government Programs

Testing Laboratories and Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing pressure.
Potential for overpayment due to lack of competition.
Limited transparency in the procurement process.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $9,900 to ECOLAB INC. PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE SERVICE FOR BIOQUELL QUBE M-2 SYSTEM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ECOLAB INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9,900.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis rather than through full and open competition?

The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs where only one vendor can fulfill the requirement. For this Bioquell Qube M-2 system maintenance, it's likely that Ecolab Inc. is the original equipment manufacturer or holds exclusive rights to service the specific technology, making competition impractical or impossible without significant delays and costs.

How does the $9.9 million price compare to industry benchmarks for similar specialized equipment maintenance contracts?

Without specific details on the scope of work and service level agreements, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, maintenance for highly specialized, proprietary equipment like the Bioquell Qube M-2 can command premium pricing due to the technical expertise, specialized tools, and potential intellectual property involved. A thorough review against comparable contracts for advanced laboratory or decontamination systems is needed to confirm fairness.

What measures are in place to ensure the effectiveness and quality of the preventative maintenance services provided by Ecolab Inc.?

Effectiveness and quality are typically ensured through detailed contract line items specifying required maintenance tasks, performance standards, and reporting requirements. The CDC likely has a contract officer and technical point of contact to monitor service delivery, review maintenance logs, and address any deficiencies. Acceptance of completed work and adherence to service level agreements are key indicators of quality.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Testing Laboratories and Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1 ECOLAB PL, SAINT PAUL, MN, 55102

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,900

Exercised Options: $9,900

Current Obligation: $9,900

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline