Commerce Department awards $35,000 for analytical instruments, raising questions about competition and value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $35,000 ($35.0K)

Contractor: Primenano, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 112 days

Daily Burn Rate: $313/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: SCANWAVE PRO EPIM

Place of Performance

Location: SANTA CLARA, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 95054

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $35,000 to PRIMENANO, INC. for work described as: SCANWAVE PRO EPIM Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focused need for specific analytical capabilities. 2. Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpayment and lack of market price discovery. 3. The short performance period indicates a project with a defined scope and timeline. 4. The use of a purchase order for this value suggests a streamlined procurement process. 5. The specific NAICS code points to a niche market within analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The $35,000 award for analytical instruments is a modest sum. Without comparable contract data for similar instruments or specific features, it is difficult to definitively benchmark the value. However, the lack of competition inherently introduces a risk that the price may not reflect the most competitive market rate. The firm fixed-price contract type offers some cost certainty, but the overall value proposition is weakened by the procurement method.

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 award. The data explicitly states 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. This means that the agency likely identified a specific vendor or product without soliciting offers from multiple sources. The lack of a competitive bidding process limits the agency's ability to explore alternative solutions and potentially secure a lower price.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price for these analytical instruments due to the absence of a competitive bidding process. This could lead to higher overall spending for the government on such procurements.

Public Impact

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is the direct beneficiary, likely using the instruments for research and development. The services delivered involve the provision of specialized analytical laboratory instruments. The geographic impact is primarily within California, where the contractor is located, and potentially at the NIST facility where the instruments will be used. There are no immediate workforce implications indicated by this specific contract award.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Limited transparency in the procurement process due to sole-source nature.
Potential for vendor lock-in if the instrument requires specialized support.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Short duration suggests a well-defined and manageable project.
Specific NAICS code indicates a targeted procurement for a specialized need.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector (NAICS 334516). This is a specialized segment of the broader scientific and technical instruments industry. The market for such instruments is driven by research and development needs across various government agencies and private sector entities. Benchmarking spending in this specific niche is challenging without more granular data, but overall federal spending on scientific equipment is substantial.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false) and there is no indication of small business subcontracting requirements (sb: false). Therefore, this specific award does not directly impact the small business ecosystem or provide opportunities for small business set-asides.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically fall under the National Institute of Standards and Technology's internal procurement policies and the Department of Commerce's Inspector General. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, making it difficult to assess the full extent of oversight applied during the vendor selection process.

Related Government Programs

Scientific Equipment Procurement
Research and Development Support
National Institute of Standards and Technology Operations

Risk Flags

Lack of Competition
Potential for Overpricing
Limited Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $35,000 to PRIMENANO, INC.. SCANWAVE PRO EPIM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PRIMENANO, 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 $35,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-07-31.

What is the specific type of analytical laboratory instrument being procured, and what is its intended use by NIST?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'SCANWAVE PRO EPIM' and falls under NAICS code 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing). While the exact specifications are not detailed, 'SCANWAVE PRO EPIM' suggests a device related to scanning, wave analysis, or potentially an electronic product identification module, likely used for scientific measurement, testing, or data acquisition within NIST's research activities. NIST's mission involves advancing measurement science, standards, and technology, so this instrument would support those objectives, potentially in materials science, metrology, or related fields.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis instead of through a competitive process?

The data states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' and has a contract type of 'PURCHASE ORDER', suggesting it was likely procured through a sole-source justification or a limited competition where only one vendor was deemed capable of meeting the requirement. Agencies typically sole-source procurements when there is only one responsible source capable of providing the required goods or services, such as proprietary technology, unique expertise, or when urgency precludes a competitive process. Without further documentation from the Department of Commerce, the specific justification for this sole-source award remains unclear, but it implies a belief that competition was not feasible or advantageous.

How does the $35,000 award compare to typical spending on similar analytical instruments by federal agencies?

The $35,000 award is on the lower end for significant analytical instrumentation, especially for specialized equipment. Larger, more complex analytical instruments used in advanced research can cost hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. However, for specific components, upgrades, or less complex standalone devices, $35,000 could be a reasonable price point. Without knowing the exact nature of the 'SCANWAVE PRO EPIM', it's difficult to provide a precise comparison. Federal agencies often procure a wide range of instruments, from basic lab supplies to highly sophisticated systems, making direct comparison challenging without more specific details on the instrument's capabilities and intended application.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source procurement of analytical instruments?

The primary risk of a sole-source procurement is the potential for paying a higher price than would be achieved through competition. Without competing offers, the government loses the benefit of market forces driving down costs. There's also a risk of reduced innovation, as vendors may have less incentive to offer cutting-edge solutions if they are the only option. Furthermore, it can limit the agency's ability to explore alternative technologies or vendors that might offer better performance, reliability, or long-term value. Transparency is also reduced, making it harder to ensure the best use of taxpayer funds.

What is the track record of PRIMENANO, INC. in securing federal contracts, particularly for analytical instruments?

The provided data identifies PRIMENANO, INC. as the contractor for this $35,000 purchase order. To assess their track record, one would need to examine historical federal procurement databases for other contracts awarded to PRIMENANO, INC. This would reveal the volume of their federal business, the types of goods or services they provide to the government, their performance history on past contracts, and whether they have previously supplied similar analytical instruments. Without access to this broader contract history, it's impossible to evaluate their established track record with federal agencies.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC EQPT COMPNTS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 1333ND26QNB030089

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4701 PATRICK HENRY DR, SANTA CLARA, CA, 95054

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $35,000

Exercised Options: $35,000

Current Obligation: $35,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline