HHS Awards $54K for Remel Supplies, Lacking Competition for Sensititre Equipment

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $54,189 ($54.2K)

Contractor: Remel Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2026-04-13

End Date: 2026-07-30

Contract Duration: 108 days

Daily Burn Rate: $502/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: VARIOUS REMEL SUPPLIES COMPATIBLE WITH SENSITITRE EQUIPMENT FOR MULTIPLE DELIVERY LOCATIONS

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20993

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $54,189.11 to REMEL INC. for work described as: VARIOUS REMEL SUPPLIES COMPATIBLE WITH SENSITITRE EQUIPMENT FOR MULTIPLE DELIVERY LOCATIONS Key points: 1. Spending is concentrated with a single vendor, Remel Inc. 2. The contract supports critical in-vitro diagnostic substance manufacturing. 3. Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpricing. 4. The sector is vital for public health diagnostics.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The award amount is relatively small, making a direct per-unit cost comparison difficult without more data. However, the lack of competition suggests potential for higher pricing than if multiple vendors were considered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This was a delivery order under an unspecified contract, noted as 'NOT COMPETED'. This limited competition approach may have restricted price discovery and potentially led to a less favorable price for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is likely minimal due to the small award value, but the precedent of limited competition for essential supplies warrants attention.

Public Impact

Ensures availability of diagnostic supplies for Sensititre equipment. Supports multiple delivery locations, indicating broad operational use. Potential for increased costs due to lack of competitive bidding.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Sole-source potential
Limited price discovery

Positive Signals

Supports critical health infrastructure
Ensures supply chain continuity

Sector Analysis

The In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing sector is crucial for healthcare, providing essential tools for disease detection and monitoring. Spending benchmarks vary widely based on product complexity and volume.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this specific procurement. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The 'NOT COMPETED' status suggests a need for review to ensure proper justification and adherence to procurement regulations, especially for recurring needs.

Related Government Programs

In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Food and Drug Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for inflated pricing
Limited transparency in award process
Dependency on a single vendor

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $54,189.11 to REMEL INC.. VARIOUS REMEL SUPPLIES COMPATIBLE WITH SENSITITRE EQUIPMENT FOR MULTIPLE DELIVERY LOCATIONS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is REMEL INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Food and Drug Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $54,189.11.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-13. End: 2026-07-30.

What is the justification for not competing this delivery order, and were alternative sources considered?

The justification for not competing this delivery order is not provided in the data. Typically, such decisions are made when there's a need for standardization, compatibility with existing systems, or in emergency situations. A thorough review would confirm if alternative sources were evaluated and why they were deemed unsuitable, ensuring the government obtained the best value possible under the circumstances.

What is the historical pricing for these Remel supplies, and how does it compare to market rates?

Historical pricing data for these specific Remel supplies is not available in the provided information. To assess value, a comparison with market rates for similar diagnostic supplies from other manufacturers would be necessary. The lack of competition in this instance makes it harder to ascertain if the current price reflects fair market value.

How critical is the continuity of supply for these specific Remel products to the FDA's operations?

The continuity of supply for these Remel products appears critical, as they are compatible with Sensititre equipment used for in-vitro diagnostics. Ensuring an uninterrupted supply chain for such essential materials is vital for the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) ability to perform its regulatory and public health functions effectively.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing › In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Address: 12076 SANTA FE TRAIL DR, LENEXA, KS, 66215

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $54,189

Exercised Options: $54,189

Current Obligation: $54,189

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75F40122D00010

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline