HHS awards $216,767 for laboratory instruments to QIAGEN, LLC, under a sole-source contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $216,767 ($216.8K)

Contractor: Qiagen, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2018-06-13

End Date: 2020-12-31

Contract Duration: 932 days

Daily Burn Rate: $233/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: QIAGEN INC:1110297 [18-011384]

Place of Performance

Location: VALENCIA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91355

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $216,766.82 to QIAGEN, LLC for work described as: QIAGEN INC:1110297 [18-011384] Key points: 1. The contract value is $216,767. 2. QIAGEN, LLC is the sole awardee. 3. The contract was not competed under SAP. 4. The sector is Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value is relatively low, making a direct pricing comparison difficult without more data on specific instruments. The fixed-price nature suggests some cost certainty, but the lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive procurement.

Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source award limits competitive pressure, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may not have received the best value due to the lack of competition. The NIH relies on specialized laboratory instruments for critical research. Transparency in sole-source procurements is crucial for public trust.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for overpricing

Positive Signals

Firm fixed price contract

Sector Analysis

The Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector involves specialized equipment for scientific research and diagnostics. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on agency needs and technological advancements. Benchmarks are difficult without specific instrument details.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this procurement, as it was a sole-source award to a specific company.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure the government obtained fair value and that competition was appropriately waived.

Related Government Programs

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for inflated pricing
Limited transparency on instrument specifics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $216,766.82 to QIAGEN, LLC. QIAGEN INC:1110297 [18-011384]

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is QIAGEN, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $216,766.82.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-06-13. End: 2020-12-31.

What specific analytical laboratory instruments were procured, and what is their market value in a competitive environment?

The provided data does not specify the exact instruments purchased. To assess value, a detailed list of the instruments, their specifications, and current market prices from multiple vendors would be necessary. Without this, it's challenging to determine if the $216,767 award represents a fair market price, especially given the sole-source nature of the contract.

What justification was provided for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis instead of seeking competitive bids?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs where only one vendor can fulfill the requirement. For this contract, the agency would need to document why QIAGEN, LLC was the only viable source and why competition was not feasible or practicable under the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

How does the performance of QIAGEN, LLC on this contract align with the expected outcomes for the National Institutes of Health's research objectives?

Assessing performance alignment requires evaluating whether the delivered instruments met specifications, functioned reliably, and contributed effectively to NIH's research goals. Post-award performance data, user feedback, and the impact on research timelines would be needed to determine if the procurement was effective in supporting the agency's mission.

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: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 18011384

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 27220 TURNBERRY LN, VALENCIA, CA, 91355

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: $216,767

Exercised Options: $216,767

Current Obligation: $216,767

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline