NIH awards $421K for barrier equipment decontamination and inspection services to ENV SERVICES INC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $421,797 ($421.8K)

Contractor: ENV Services Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2023-01-01

End Date: 2023-03-31

Contract Duration: 89 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: ENV SERVICES INC: PRIMARY BARRIER EQUIPMENT DECONTAMINATION, ASSEMBLY/DISASSEMBLY INSPECTIONS

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20894

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $421,796.94 to ENV SERVICES INC for work described as: ENV SERVICES INC: PRIMARY BARRIER EQUIPMENT DECONTAMINATION, ASSEMBLY/DISASSEMBLY INSPECTIONS Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized laboratory equipment services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Short contract duration (89 days) may indicate a specific, time-bound need. 4. Fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor. 5. Services are critical for maintaining laboratory safety and operational integrity. 6. Geographic focus on Maryland for service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $421,797 for a 3-month period for specialized barrier equipment decontamination and inspection services seems within a reasonable range for such niche technical support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for laboratory equipment maintenance and decontamination at NIH or other federal health agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the specialized nature of the work, the price appears to reflect the required expertise and materials.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, this procurement method generally fosters price discovery and encourages competitive pricing. The agency sought proposals from the broader market, suggesting a deliberate effort to obtain the best value through a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure services at the most advantageous price, preventing potential overpayment that could occur with less competitive methods.

Public Impact

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) benefits from ensuring its laboratory facilities are safe and operational. Services include decontamination and inspection of primary barrier equipment, crucial for research integrity. Geographic impact is localized to Maryland, where the NIH facilities are likely situated. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a small, specialized team from ENV SERVICES INC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or quality assurance details in the provided data.
Limited insight into the contractor's past performance on similar federal contracts.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract type aligns costs and reduces financial uncertainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
Short duration may indicate efficient project management and timely delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader scientific and technical services sector, specifically supporting laboratory operations. The market for specialized decontamination and inspection services for sensitive research equipment is niche, often requiring specific certifications and expertise. Comparable spending would involve contracts for laboratory equipment maintenance, calibration, and specialized cleaning services within federal research institutions.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if the prime contractor itself is a small business, though the data suggests otherwise.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office at the National Institutes of Health. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed performance reports may not be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

NIH Laboratory Equipment Maintenance Contracts
Federal Scientific Equipment Services
Biomedical Research Support Services

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics
Limited contractor past performance data available

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $421,796.94 to ENV SERVICES INC. ENV SERVICES INC: PRIMARY BARRIER EQUIPMENT DECONTAMINATION, ASSEMBLY/DISASSEMBLY INSPECTIONS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ENV SERVICES INC.

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 $421,796.94.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-01-01. End: 2023-03-31.

What is the track record of ENV SERVICES INC. in performing similar decontamination and inspection services for federal agencies?

Information regarding the specific track record of ENV SERVICES INC. for performing similar decontamination and inspection services for federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would require accessing federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) to examine past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes. Understanding their experience with primary barrier equipment and adherence to safety protocols in research environments is crucial for assessing their capability and reliability on this specific contract.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar specialized laboratory equipment decontamination and inspection services?

Directly comparing the awarded price of approximately $421,797 for an 89-day period to precise market rates is challenging without specific service details and regional cost data. However, given the specialized nature of primary barrier equipment decontamination and inspection, which requires trained personnel, specific chemicals, and adherence to strict safety and research protocols, the cost is likely reflective of niche expertise. Benchmarking against contracts for similar services at other federal research institutions or private laboratories would be necessary for a definitive comparison. The firm fixed-price structure suggests the government sought a defined cost for these services.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or quality assurance measures associated with this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or quality assurance measures for this contract. Typically, such contracts would include detailed specifications for the decontamination process, inspection criteria, turnaround times, and reporting requirements. Quality assurance would likely involve post-service verification, adherence to safety standards (e.g., OSHA, NIH guidelines), and potentially client inspections. The absence of this information in the award notice suggests it is detailed within the contract's statement of work, which is not publicly available here.

What is the potential impact of this contract on laboratory safety and research continuity at NIH?

This contract is critical for maintaining laboratory safety and ensuring research continuity at NIH. Primary barrier equipment, such as biological safety cabinets or isolators, is essential for protecting researchers from hazardous materials and preventing contamination of experiments. Regular decontamination and inspection ensure this equipment functions correctly, minimizing risks of exposure, sample contamination, and potential research failures. Timely and effective service delivery directly supports the integrity and progress of ongoing research activities.

What is the historical spending pattern for primary barrier equipment decontamination and inspection services at NIH?

The provided data offers a snapshot of a single contract award and does not provide historical spending patterns for primary barrier equipment decontamination and inspection services at NIH. To understand historical spending, one would need to analyze contract data over multiple fiscal years, identifying all awards related to these specific services, their values, durations, and awarded contractors. This would reveal trends in demand, average contract values, and the prevalence of different procurement methods used by NIH for such specialized support.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › LABORATORY TESTING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2880 BERGEY RD STE K, HATFIELD, PA, 19440

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $421,797

Exercised Options: $421,797

Current Obligation: $421,797

Actual Outlays: $421,797

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N98019D00062

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline