USDA Awards $8,485 for Custom Rodent Monoclonal Antibodies to GenScript USA Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,486 ($8.5K)

Contractor: Genscript USA Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2022-08-02

End Date: 2022-12-31

Contract Duration: 151 days

Daily Burn Rate: $56/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CUSTOM RODENT MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES INCLUDE: 1. SYNTHESIS OF TWO PEPTIDES (SEQUENCES CAALVAIRKRNGITA AND CSGLRVPAGRR), THEIR PREPARATION AND VALIDATION. 2. ANIMAL IMMUNIZATION 3. CELL FUSION 4. SUBCLONING 5. ANTIBODY PRODUCT

Place of Performance

Location: PISCATAWAY, MIDDLESEX County, NEW JERSEY, 08854

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $8,485.55 to GENSCRIPT USA INC for work described as: REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CUSTOM RODENT MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES INCLUDE: 1. SYNTHESIS OF TWO PEPTIDES (SEQUENCES CAALVAIRKRNGITA AND CSGLRVPAGRR), THEIR PREPARATION AND VALIDATION. 2. ANIMAL IMMUNIZATION 3. CELL FUSION 4. SUBCLONING 5. ANTIBODY PRODUCT Key points: 1. High-value contract for specialized biological reagents. 2. Sole-source award limits competitive pricing. 3. Potential risk in single-vendor reliance for critical research. 4. Sector: Healthcare/Life Sciences (R&D).

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Pricing is difficult to assess without competitive benchmarks. The firm fixed price suggests a defined scope, but the lack of competition may have led to a higher price than if multiple vendors had bid.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed under SAP, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially increases costs for taxpayers as there was no direct competition to drive down the price.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition in this sole-source award may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than a fully competed contract.

Public Impact

Supports critical agricultural research at the USDA. Enables development of new diagnostic or therapeutic tools. Potential for advancements in pest or disease management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 56 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Limited competition

Positive Signals

Supports critical research
Specific scientific need

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the R&D and Healthcare/Life Sciences sector, specifically for the production of specialized biological reagents. Spending in this area is crucial for scientific advancement but requires careful oversight to ensure value.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, GenScript USA Inc., is a significant player in the biotechnology services market. There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific sole-source procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny. While justified for specific needs, it limits competitive pressure. Future procurements should explore competitive avenues where feasible to ensure best value.

Related Government Programs

Medical Laboratories
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Agricultural Research Service Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition.
Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical supplies.
Limited transparency on specific technical requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $8,485.55 to GENSCRIPT USA INC. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CUSTOM RODENT MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES INCLUDE: 1. SYNTHESIS OF TWO PEPTIDES (SEQUENCES CAALVAIRKRNGITA AND CSGLRVPAGRR), THEIR PREPARATION AND VALIDATION. 2. ANIMAL IMMUNIZATION 3. CELL FUSION 4. SUBCLONING 5. ANTIBODY PRODUCT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GENSCRIPT USA INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8,485.55.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-08-02. End: 2022-12-31.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?

The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of market availability. For this contract, the specific nature of custom monoclonal antibody synthesis might have led the agency to believe only GenScript USA Inc. could meet the precise technical requirements within the given timeframe. However, a thorough review should confirm if market research was conducted to ensure no other qualified sources existed or could be developed.

How does the cost of these custom antibodies compare to similar products or services obtained through competitive bidding?

Without competitive benchmarks, it's challenging to definitively assess the cost-effectiveness. If similar custom antibody services have been procured competitively elsewhere, comparing those prices to this $8,485 award could reveal potential overpricing. Agencies should maintain internal databases or leverage public contract data to establish benchmarks for specialized services like this.

What is the long-term impact of relying on a single vendor for these critical research components?

Long-term reliance on a single vendor for critical research components like custom monoclonal antibodies can create supply chain risks and limit innovation. If the vendor experiences production issues, faces financial difficulties, or significantly increases prices, the research program could be severely disrupted. Diversifying suppliers or developing in-house capabilities, where feasible, can mitigate these risks.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories › Medical Laboratories

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 860 CENTENNIAL AVE, PISCATAWAY, NJ, 08854

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,486

Exercised Options: $8,486

Current Obligation: $8,486

Actual Outlays: $8,486

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline