Commerce Awards $609K for Digital Lock-In Amplifiers to Zurich Instruments AG
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $60,930 ($60.9K)
Contractor: Zurich Instruments AG
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2026-04-06
End Date: 2026-08-08
Contract Duration: 124 days
Daily Burn Rate: $491/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: OU03-25-NEW-258/OU03-FY26-254-NEW DIGITAL LOCK-IN AMPLIFIERS
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $60,930 to ZURICH INSTRUMENTS AG for work described as: OU03-25-NEW-258/OU03-FY26-254-NEW DIGITAL LOCK-IN AMPLIFIERS Key points: 1. The award is for specialized analytical laboratory instruments. 2. Zurich Instruments AG is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The contract is firm fixed price, providing cost certainty. 4. The duration is short, suggesting a specific project need.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $609,300 for analytical laboratory instruments appears within a reasonable range for specialized equipment. However, without specific benchmarks for digital lock-in amplifiers, a precise comparison is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed under SAP, indicating a limited competition approach. This method may lead to higher prices than a full and open competition, as potential alternatives were not explored.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for this purchase. The limited competition may result in a less optimal price than could be achieved through broader market engagement.
Public Impact
Supports advanced scientific research at NIST. Procurement of specialized scientific equipment. Potential for innovation in analytical instrumentation.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- Sole source award
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed price contract
- Supports critical research
Sector Analysis
The purchase falls under the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector. Spending in this sector is driven by research and development needs across various government agencies, with significant investment in advanced scientific equipment.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this procurement, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. The award went to a specific, likely larger, manufacturer.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is provided by the Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The limited competition approach warrants scrutiny to ensure fair pricing and value for taxpayer money.
Related Government Programs
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Institute of Standards and Technology Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition may result in higher costs.
- Lack of transparency in vendor selection.
- Potential for missed opportunities with other suppliers.
- Sole source award requires strong justification.
Tags
analytical-laboratory-instrument-manufac, department-of-commerce, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $60,930 to ZURICH INSTRUMENTS AG. OU03-25-NEW-258/OU03-FY26-254-NEW DIGITAL LOCK-IN AMPLIFIERS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ZURICH INSTRUMENTS AG.
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 $60,930.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-08-08.
What is the justification for limiting competition on this procurement?
The justification for limiting competition is not explicitly stated in the provided data. Typically, justifications for limited competition include factors like unique capabilities of a single source, urgent and compelling needs, or specific research requirements that only one vendor can meet. Further investigation into NIST's procurement records would be needed to ascertain the precise reason.
How does the price compare to similar digital lock-in amplifiers from other manufacturers?
Direct price comparison is challenging without access to a broader market analysis or a list of competing bids. While the total award is $609,300, the per-unit cost and feature set need to be benchmarked against comparable instruments from other reputable manufacturers like Stanford Research Systems or Signal Recovery to determine if it represents good value.
What is the expected impact of this equipment on NIST's research capabilities?
This digital lock-in amplifier is expected to significantly enhance NIST's analytical capabilities by providing highly sensitive and precise measurements crucial for advanced scientific research. Its integration into laboratory workflows will likely accelerate data acquisition and improve the accuracy of experimental results in fields requiring low-noise signal detection.
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: 1333ND26QNB030082
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: TECHNOPARKSTRASSE 1, ZURICH
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity 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: $60,930
Exercised Options: $60,930
Current Obligation: $60,930
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-06
Current End Date: 2026-08-08
Potential End Date: 2026-08-08 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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