NIH Awards $253K for Analytical Instruments to Life Technologies Corp
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $25,335 ($25.3K)
Contractor: Life Technologies Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2020-08-11
End Date: 2020-08-24
Contract Duration: 13 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: POLYMARESE CHAIN REACTION MACHINE LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION:1107072 [20-010574]
Place of Performance
Location: GRAND ISLAND, ERIE County, NEW YORK, 14072
State: New York Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $25,335.27 to LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION for work described as: POLYMARESE CHAIN REACTION MACHINE LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION:1107072 [20-010574] Key points: 1. Contract awarded for analytical laboratory instruments. 2. Life Technologies Corporation is the contractor. 3. Department of Health and Human Services is the agency. 4. Contract value is $253,352.70. 5. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP).
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $253,352.70 appears reasonable for analytical laboratory instruments, especially given the short duration of 13 days. Benchmarking against similar contracts would provide a more definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP, suggesting a limited competition environment. While SAP aims for efficiency, it may not always yield the lowest possible price compared to full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: The award of $253,352.70 represents a modest expenditure for the government, with potential for value if the instruments meet NIH's analytical needs effectively.
Public Impact
Supports critical research and development at the National Institutes of Health. Ensures access to necessary laboratory equipment for scientific advancement. Potential for improved health outcomes through research enabled by these instruments.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition under SAP
- Short contract duration may limit thorough evaluation
Positive Signals
- Supports critical NIH research
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector. Spending in this sector is crucial for scientific research and development across various government agencies, supporting innovation and discovery.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific procurement, as the award went to Life Technologies Corporation. Future procurements should consider opportunities for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The use of SAP suggests a streamlined oversight process. However, ensuring proper justification for limited competition and verifying fair and reasonable pricing remains important for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for higher prices due to limited competition
- Lack of detailed technical specifications
- Short performance period may not fully capture long-term utility
- No explicit mention of small business participation
Tags
analytical-laboratory-instrument-manufac, department-of-health-and-human-services, ny, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $25,335.27 to LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION. POLYMARESE CHAIN REACTION MACHINE LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION:1107072 [20-010574]
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION.
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 $25,335.27.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-08-11. End: 2020-08-24.
What specific analytical capabilities do these instruments provide, and how do they align with current NIH research priorities?
The specific analytical capabilities are not detailed in the provided data. However, analytical laboratory instruments are typically used for measuring, identifying, and quantifying chemical substances or physical properties. Their alignment with NIH priorities would depend on the specific research programs funded, which could range from disease research to basic biological science.
What was the justification for using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) instead of full and open competition for this purchase?
Simplified Acquisition Procedures are generally used for purchases below the threshold for full and open competition, often to increase efficiency and speed. The justification for using SAP here likely stems from the relatively small contract value ($253,352.70) and the perceived urgency or availability of the required instruments from a limited number of sources.
How will the effectiveness and value of these instruments be assessed post-delivery to ensure taxpayer funds were well-spent?
Effectiveness and value are typically assessed through performance metrics outlined in the purchase order, user feedback from NIH researchers, and potentially through follow-on analyses of research outcomes attributed to the instruments. Post-delivery inspections and acceptance testing would confirm functionality, while long-term impact on research productivity would gauge overall value.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: MEDICAL/DENTAL/VETERINARY EQPT/SUPP
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: HHSNCCOPC20-010574
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
Address: 5781 VAN ALLEN WAY, CARLSBAD, CA, 92008
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: $25,335
Exercised Options: $25,335
Current Obligation: $25,335
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-08-11
Current End Date: 2020-08-24
Potential End Date: 2020-08-24 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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