Commerce Buys $197K Beam Profiler from Dataray Inc. for NIST Lab
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $19,773 ($19.8K)
Contractor: Dataray Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2025-03-28
End Date: 2025-04-28
Contract Duration: 31 days
Daily Burn Rate: $638/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: BEAM PROFILER
Place of Performance
Location: MONTEREY, MONTEREY County, CALIFORNIA, 93940
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $19,773.25 to DATARAY INC for work described as: BEAM PROFILER Key points: 1. High-value purchase for specialized analytical instrumentation. 2. Sole-source procurement limits competitive pricing. 3. Potential risk of overpayment due to lack of competition. 4. Sector: Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The $197,732.50 purchase order for a beam profiler is a significant investment. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to assess if this price is optimal compared to similar instruments from other manufacturers.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a sole-source or limited competition approach. This significantly impacts price discovery, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition raises concerns about whether the government secured the best possible price for this specialized equipment.
Public Impact
NIST acquires critical lab equipment for research and development. Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to sole-source award. Transparency in sole-source justifications is crucial for accountability.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 63 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source procurement
- Lack of price competition
- Potential for overpayment
Positive Signals
- Acquisition of specialized scientific equipment
- Supports NIST's research mission
Sector Analysis
The Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector produces sophisticated equipment for scientific research. Spending in this area is driven by R&D needs across government and industry, with specialized instruments often commanding high prices.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to Dataray Inc. and does not indicate any specific provisions or benefits for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were excluded or had an opportunity to compete.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made via a Purchase Order, which is a common procurement instrument. Oversight would focus on the justification for the sole-source award and the reasonableness of the price paid.
Related Government Programs
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Institute of Standards and Technology Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
- Potential for inflated costs.
- Limited transparency on justification for sole-source.
- No indication of small business participation.
Tags
analytical-laboratory-instrument-manufac, department-of-commerce, ca, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $19,773.25 to DATARAY INC. BEAM PROFILER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is DATARAY INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Institute of Standards and Technology).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $19,773.25.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-03-28. End: 2025-04-28.
What is the specific function of this beam profiler and why is Dataray Inc. the sole source provider?
The beam profiler is likely used to measure the spatial distribution of laser or other optical beams, crucial for calibration and performance testing in scientific experiments. Dataray Inc. may be the sole source due to unique patented technology, highly specialized expertise, or specific compatibility requirements with existing NIST equipment that only their product meets.
How can the government ensure fair pricing when sole-source contracts are necessary?
When sole-source contracts are unavoidable, agencies can mitigate pricing risks through robust price analysis techniques. This includes comparing the proposed price to historical prices for similar items, obtaining cost breakdowns from the vendor, and potentially engaging independent cost estimators to validate the vendor's pricing structure and ensure it reflects fair market value.
What is the long-term impact of relying on sole-source procurements for critical scientific equipment?
Long-term reliance on sole-source procurements can stifle innovation and competition within the scientific equipment market. It may lead to escalating prices over time and limit the government's access to potentially superior or more cost-effective solutions developed by other vendors. This can also create vendor lock-in, making future upgrades or replacements more complex and expensive.
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: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 1333ND25QNB680094
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 31 UPPER RAGSDALE DR STE 1, MONTEREY, CA, 93940
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $19,773
Exercised Options: $19,773
Current Obligation: $19,773
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-03-28
Current End Date: 2025-04-28
Potential End Date: 2025-04-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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