NIH Spends $74,915 on Laboratory Marking Pens via Full and Open Competition with VWR International LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $74,915 ($74.9K)
Contractor: VWR International LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2026-04-09
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 82 days
Daily Burn Rate: $914/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 9
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: LABORATORY MARKING PENS ARE FOR OPERATIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE LABORATORIES AND OFFICES ACROSS NIH AND SUSTAIN MISSION CRITICAL ACTIVITIES FOR HEALTH AND LONGEVITY MISSION CRITICAL RESEARCH.
Place of Performance
Location: WAYNE, DELAWARE County, PENNSYLVANIA, 19087
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $74,915.1 to VWR INTERNATIONAL LLC for work described as: LABORATORY MARKING PENS ARE FOR OPERATIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE LABORATORIES AND OFFICES ACROSS NIH AND SUSTAIN MISSION CRITICAL ACTIVITIES FOR HEALTH AND LONGEVITY MISSION CRITICAL RESEARCH. Key points: 1. The contract is for essential laboratory marking pens supporting NIH's mission-critical research. 2. VWR International LLC is the awardee under a full and open competition. 3. The contract duration is 82 days, suggesting a short-term operational need. 4. The total award value is $74,915.10.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The pricing for these specific laboratory marking pens is not benchmarked against similar contracts. Without comparative data, it's difficult to definitively assess if the $74,915.10 represents excellent value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for operational supplies essential to research, ensuring mission continuity.
Public Impact
Ensures continuity of critical health and longevity research at NIH. Supports daily operations in laboratories and offices across the agency. Procurement through competition aims for efficient use of federal funds.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited contract duration may require follow-on actions.
- Lack of specific unit cost data hinders detailed value assessment.
Positive Signals
- Awarded via full and open competition.
- Supports mission-critical research activities.
Sector Analysis
Spending on laboratory supplies like marking pens falls under general operational support for research institutions. Benchmarks for such specific items are not readily available, but the value appears modest relative to overall NIH research budgets.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were solicited or participated in the competition.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. Standard procurement oversight processes would apply to ensure compliance and accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for supply chain disruption if follow-on contract is delayed.
- Limited contract duration may not be optimal for long-term supply needs.
- Lack of detailed pricing data makes value assessment difficult.
- No indication of small business participation.
Tags
surgical-appliance-and-supplies-manufact, department-of-health-and-human-services, pa, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $74,915.1 to VWR INTERNATIONAL LLC. LABORATORY MARKING PENS ARE FOR OPERATIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE LABORATORIES AND OFFICES ACROSS NIH AND SUSTAIN MISSION CRITICAL ACTIVITIES FOR HEALTH AND LONGEVITY MISSION CRITICAL RESEARCH.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is VWR INTERNATIONAL 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 $74,915.1.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-06-30.
What is the typical unit cost for similar laboratory marking pens in the federal market?
Without specific product details or access to a comprehensive federal procurement database for consumables, determining a precise unit cost benchmark is challenging. However, based on general market knowledge, basic laboratory marking pens typically range from $2 to $10 per unit, depending on features like permanence, color, and tip type. The total award value suggests a significant quantity or higher-end specialized pens.
What are the risks associated with a short-duration contract for essential supplies?
A short-duration contract, like this 82-day award, carries the risk of supply chain disruption if a follow-on contract is not secured in a timely manner. This could impact NIH's mission-critical research. Additionally, frequent short-term procurements can sometimes lead to higher administrative costs and potentially less favorable pricing compared to longer-term agreements.
How effectively does this procurement support NIH's mission-critical research and longevity goals?
This procurement directly supports NIH's mission by providing essential operational tools for its laboratories. Marking pens are fundamental for sample identification, data recording, and general lab organization, all of which are critical for maintaining the integrity and progress of health and longevity research. The competitive award process suggests an effort to procure these necessary items efficiently.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing › Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: GSA EBUY RFQ1802413
Offers Received: 9
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Labrepco LLC
Address: 100 W MATSONFORD RD STE 1, WAYNE, PA, 19087
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: $74,915
Exercised Options: $74,915
Current Obligation: $74,915
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS07F119CA
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-09
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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