NIH awards $46M for critical lab supplies, supporting health and longevity research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $45,998 ($46.0K)

Contractor: Fisher Scientific Company L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2026-03-13

End Date: 2027-03-12

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $126/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BD FACSFLOW SHEATH FLUID & FACS SHEATH SOLUTION W/SURFACTANT TO SUPPORT THE LABORATORIES AND OFFICES ACROSS NIH AND SUSTAIN MISSION CRITICAL ACTIVITIES FOR HEALTH AND LONGEVITY MISSION CRITICAL RESEARCH.

Place of Performance

Location: PITTSBURGH, ALLEGHENY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15275

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $45,997.5 to FISHER SCIENTIFIC COMPANY L.L.C. for work described as: BD FACSFLOW SHEATH FLUID & FACS SHEATH SOLUTION W/SURFACTANT TO SUPPORT THE LABORATORIES AND OFFICES ACROSS NIH AND SUSTAIN MISSION CRITICAL ACTIVITIES FOR HEALTH AND LONGEVITY MISSION CRITICAL RESEARCH. Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the critical nature of the supplies for ongoing research. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a competed award, suggesting potential for price discovery. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a firm fixed-price contract and a single-year base period. 4. Performance context is tied to mission-critical research activities for health and longevity. 5. Sector positioning is within the chemical manufacturing industry, supporting life sciences.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $45,997.50 for a 364-day period appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized laboratory consumables. Benchmarking against similar contracts for biological reagents or laboratory fluids would provide a more precise value assessment. However, the firm fixed-price structure helps control costs for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a competitive process was utilized. While the specific number of bidders is not detailed, SAP is designed to encourage competition for awards below certain thresholds. The use of SAP indicates that the agency sought to obtain fair and reasonable pricing through a competitive solicitation.

Taxpayer Impact: A competed award under SAP generally benefits taxpayers by ensuring that the government is not overpaying for necessary supplies, fostering a more efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

Researchers at NIH laboratories and offices benefit from uninterrupted access to essential supplies. The contract supports mission-critical research activities focused on health and longevity. Geographic impact is concentrated at NIH facilities, primarily in Pennsylvania. Workforce implications include ensuring scientists and technicians have the necessary materials to conduct their work.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions if Fisher Scientific faces manufacturing or distribution issues.
Dependence on a single supplier for critical reagents could pose a risk if alternatives are not readily available.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Awarded under a competitive process, suggesting a fair market price was obtained.
Long-term relationship with a known supplier can ensure consistent quality and delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing' sector, specifically serving the life sciences research market. The market for laboratory consumables is substantial, driven by ongoing research and development in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and academic institutions. This award represents a small but critical component of the broader chemical supply chain supporting scientific advancement.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a purchase order awarded under SAP, it's possible that small businesses could have participated, but the award went to Fisher Scientific. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within Fisher Scientific's supply chain for these specific products.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) contracting officers and program managers. The firm fixed-price nature of the award simplifies financial oversight. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Laboratory Equipment and Supplies
Chemical Manufacturing
Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing
Health and Longevity Research Support

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain disruption due to single-source reliance.
Price volatility for specialized chemicals over the contract term.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $45,997.5 to FISHER SCIENTIFIC COMPANY L.L.C.. BD FACSFLOW SHEATH FLUID & FACS SHEATH SOLUTION W/SURFACTANT TO SUPPORT 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 FISHER SCIENTIFIC COMPANY L.L.C..

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 $45,997.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-13. End: 2027-03-12.

What is the historical spending pattern for this specific type of laboratory fluid at NIH?

Analyzing historical spending data for BD FACSFLOW SHEATH FLUID & FACS SHEATH SOLUTION W/SURFACTANT at NIH would reveal trends in demand, pricing, and supplier relationships over time. This contract, valued at $45,997.50 for a 364-day period, represents a single award. To understand the broader pattern, one would need to examine previous awards for similar or identical products, noting the contract values, durations, and awarded vendors. A consistent increase or decrease in spending could indicate shifts in research focus, changes in product pricing, or evolving procurement strategies. Comparing the current award's unit cost (if calculable) to historical averages would also highlight whether current pricing is competitive or has escalated. Without access to a comprehensive historical database for this specific item, it's challenging to establish a definitive spending pattern beyond this single award.

How does the price per unit for this sheath fluid compare to market rates from other major laboratory suppliers?

To benchmark the price per unit for the BD FACSFLOW SHEATH FLUID & FACS SHEATH SOLUTION W/SURFACTANT, we would need to know the exact quantity purchased under this $45,997.50 award. Assuming a standard volume (e.g., liters or gallons), we could then compare this unit price against catalog prices or quotes from other major laboratory suppliers like Sigma-Aldrich, VWR, or Thermo Fisher Scientific. Given that Fisher Scientific is the awardee, their own catalog prices would serve as an initial reference. The fact that this was competed under SAP suggests an effort to secure competitive pricing. If the unit price is significantly lower than comparable offerings from competitors, it indicates good value. Conversely, a higher unit price might suggest a lack of robust competition or specific product requirements driving up costs.

What is Fisher Scientific Company L.L.C.'s track record with the National Institutes of Health for similar supply contracts?

Fisher Scientific Company L.L.C. is a major supplier of laboratory products and services, and it is highly probable they have a substantial track record with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other federal agencies. To assess their performance specifically for this type of contract, one would review past awards for sheath fluid, reagents, or other consumables. Key metrics to examine would include on-time delivery rates, product quality compliance, responsiveness to issues, and adherence to contract terms. A history of successful contract performance with NIH would indicate reliability and a lower risk profile for this current award. Conversely, any past performance issues, such as delivery delays or quality complaints, would warrant closer scrutiny of this new award and potentially trigger increased oversight.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single supplier for critical laboratory consumables like sheath fluid?

Relying on a single supplier, such as Fisher Scientific in this case, for critical laboratory consumables like sheath fluid presents several potential risks. Firstly, there's the risk of supply chain disruption; if Fisher Scientific experiences manufacturing issues, logistical problems, or unforeseen events (like natural disasters or pandemics), NIH could face shortages, halting vital research. Secondly, a lack of competition can lead to price increases over time, as the supplier faces less pressure to offer competitive rates. Thirdly, there's a risk of product quality degradation or changes if the supplier alters their manufacturing process without adequate notification or if alternative sourcing is used. Finally, dependence on one vendor can reduce the government's leverage in negotiations and make it harder to adopt newer, potentially superior, or more cost-effective products from other vendors.

How does the duration of this contract (364 days) align with typical procurement cycles for laboratory supplies at NIH?

A contract duration of 364 days, essentially one year, is a common and often preferred term for the procurement of routine laboratory supplies like sheath fluid. This duration allows for stable supply over a defined period while providing flexibility for NIH to re-evaluate needs, pricing, and supplier performance annually. Shorter durations might lead to frequent re-solicitations and administrative burden, while significantly longer base periods (without options) could lock the government into potentially unfavorable terms if market conditions or research needs change drastically. The 364-day term, often used to avoid longer statutory review periods associated with multi-year contracts, strikes a balance between ensuring continuity of supply and maintaining agility in procurement.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Basic Chemical Manufacturing › All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 75N99C26Q00002

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 300 INDUSTRY DR, PITTSBURGH, PA, 15275

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $170,468

Exercised Options: $45,998

Current Obligation: $45,998

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline