Agriculture Department awards $150K for PCR units, highlighting need for advanced lab equipment

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $150,000 ($150.0K)

Contractor: Roche Diagnostics Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2027-04-07

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $412/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY26 (3) REAL-TIME PCR UNITS

Place of Performance

Location: MARSHFIELD, WOOD County, WISCONSIN, 54449

State: Wisconsin Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $150,000 to ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS CORPORATION for work described as: FY26 (3) REAL-TIME PCR UNITS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential laboratory instruments, supporting critical research functions. 2. Procurement method indicates potential for competitive pricing, though specific details are limited. 3. Duration of the contract is standard for equipment supply, suggesting predictable operational needs. 4. The award falls within the analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing sector, a niche but vital area. 5. Focus on real-time PCR units points to advanced diagnostic and analytical capabilities. 6. Geographic location in Wisconsin suggests regional support for agricultural research.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award of $150,000 for 334516 units appears reasonable given the specialized nature of analytical laboratory instruments. Benchmarking against similar procurements for real-time PCR units would provide a more precise value assessment. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests cost certainty for the government. Without detailed specifications or market analysis, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents excellent value, but it falls within expected parameters for such equipment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a competitive process suitable for procurements under a certain dollar threshold. While the exact number of bidders is not specified, SAP generally aims to maximize competition within regulatory limits. This method is intended to ensure fair pricing and access to a range of suppliers for goods and services deemed to be of lower acquisition value.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP for this $150,000 award suggests that taxpayers benefit from a streamlined procurement process that still allows for competition, potentially leading to cost savings compared to more complex, lengthy acquisition methods.

Public Impact

Researchers at the Agricultural Research Service will benefit from access to advanced real-time PCR units. The contract supports the delivery of analytical laboratory services crucial for agricultural research. The geographic impact is primarily focused on supporting research activities within Wisconsin. Workforce implications include the need for trained personnel to operate and maintain the new equipment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited public information on specific performance metrics for the awarded units.
Potential for vendor lock-in if follow-on support or consumables are required.
Dependence on a single vendor for specialized equipment could pose supply chain risks.

Positive Signals

Awarded to a known entity in the diagnostics field (Roche Diagnostics Corporation).
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Procurement under SAP suggests adherence to competitive principles.
Equipment supports critical agricultural research, aligning with agency mission.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector, a specialized segment of the broader scientific and medical equipment industry. This sector is characterized by high innovation, stringent quality control, and significant research and development investment. Spending in this area is driven by the need for precise diagnostic and analytical tools across various fields, including agriculture, healthcare, and environmental science. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing procurements for similar high-complexity laboratory equipment by government agencies and research institutions.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. As it was competed under SAP, it's possible that small businesses had the opportunity to bid if they met the requirements. However, without explicit set-aside information, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear. Subcontracting opportunities are also not specified in the award details.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically fall under the purview of the Department of Agriculture's internal procurement and financial management systems. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) would be responsible for monitoring contract performance and ensuring compliance with the terms and conditions. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Operations
Laboratory Equipment Procurement
Real-Time PCR Technology
Scientific Instrument Acquisition
Department of Agriculture R&D Support

Risk Flags

Potential for high consumable costs
Dependence on vendor for specialized maintenance
Limited public detail on specific technical capabilities

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $150,000 to ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS CORPORATION. FY26 (3) REAL-TIME PCR UNITS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Research Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $150,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2027-04-07.

What is the specific model of the real-time PCR units being procured, and what are their key technical specifications?

The provided data indicates the National Stock Number (NAICS) is 334516 for Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, and the description is 'FY26 (3) REAL-TIME PCR UNITS'. However, the specific model number or detailed technical specifications of the Roche Diagnostics Corporation real-time PCR units are not included in this summary. To understand the precise capabilities, one would need to consult the detailed solicitation documents or product datasheets associated with this purchase order. These specifications would typically outline aspects such as throughput, sensitivity, multiplexing capabilities, software features, and compatibility with various reagents and sample types, which are crucial for assessing the suitability of the equipment for the intended agricultural research applications.

How does the unit cost of these PCR units compare to market rates for similar equipment from other manufacturers?

Benchmarking the unit cost requires access to market pricing data for comparable real-time PCR units from manufacturers other than Roche Diagnostics Corporation. The total award of $150,000 for an unspecified number of units (implied by '3' in the description, but not explicitly stated as the quantity) makes a direct per-unit cost calculation difficult without the exact quantity. Assuming '3' refers to the quantity, the cost per unit would be $50,000. This figure needs to be compared against offerings from competitors like Thermo Fisher Scientific, Bio-Rad, or Qiagen, considering factors like features, throughput, and warranty. Without this comparative market analysis, it is challenging to definitively assess if the $150,000 represents a competitive price point.

What is Roche Diagnostics Corporation's track record with the Department of Agriculture or other federal agencies for supplying similar laboratory equipment?

Roche Diagnostics Corporation is a well-established global leader in in-vitro diagnostics and laboratory equipment. Their track record with the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other federal agencies, such as the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Defense (DoD), likely includes numerous awards for a wide range of diagnostic and laboratory instruments. Accessing historical contract data from federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would reveal the extent and nature of their past performance. Positive past performance with federal clients generally indicates reliability, quality of products, and adherence to contractual obligations, which would be a positive signal for this current award.

What specific agricultural research applications will these real-time PCR units support?

Real-time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) technology is a versatile tool used in molecular biology for detecting and quantifying nucleic acids. Within the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), these units could support a variety of critical research applications. This includes pathogen detection in crops and livestock (e.g., identifying viruses, bacteria, or fungi), genetic analysis for crop improvement and breeding programs, monitoring gene expression related to plant stress or development, detecting genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and potentially environmental monitoring related to agricultural practices. The specific applications would depend on the research priorities of the ARS facility in Wisconsin where the equipment is deployed.

Are there any known risks associated with the long-term maintenance or operational costs of these specific PCR units?

Potential risks associated with the long-term maintenance and operational costs of real-time PCR units, including those from Roche Diagnostics, often revolve around service contracts, replacement parts, and consumable costs (reagents, calibration standards). While the initial purchase price is fixed, ongoing expenses can be significant. It is important to assess whether the government has secured favorable terms for post-warranty service agreements or if internal maintenance capabilities exist. The frequency of use, the complexity of the assays performed, and the vendor's service network in the geographic region (Wisconsin) can all influence long-term operational expenditures. Understanding these factors is key to managing the total cost of ownership beyond the initial acquisition.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 1232SA26Q0354

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Roche Holding AG

Address: 9115 HAGUE RD, INDIANAPOLIS, IN, 46256

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $150,000

Exercised Options: $150,000

Current Obligation: $150,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline