Interior's USGS awards $25,880 for one-year extended warranty on analytical instrument
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $25,880 ($25.9K)
Contractor: Malvern Panalytical Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2025-05-09
End Date: 2026-05-11
Contract Duration: 367 days
Daily Burn Rate: $71/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FIELDSPEC 4 ONE YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY
Place of Performance
Location: DENVER, JEFFERSON County, COLORADO, 80225
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $25,880 to MALVERN PANALYTICAL INC for work described as: FIELDSPEC 4 ONE YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY Key points: 1. Spending is for a single-year extended warranty on an analytical instrument. 2. The awardee, MALVERN PANALYTICAL INC, is likely the original equipment manufacturer. 3. The contract was not competed, raising potential value concerns. 4. The sector is Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The $25,880 cost for a one-year extended warranty needs comparison to similar instruments and manufacturer pricing. Without competition, it's difficult to ascertain if this price represents fair market value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition scenario. This approach may limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for this warranty. Lack of competition could mean a less optimal price, impacting overall value for money.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operation and support for critical analytical equipment. Potential for higher costs due to lack of competitive bidding. Supports the U.S. Geological Survey's scientific research and monitoring activities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 71 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpricing
- Single-year duration may not be cost-effective long-term
Positive Signals
- Ensures operational continuity for essential equipment
- Awardee likely has specialized knowledge of the instrument
Sector Analysis
The Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector involves specialized equipment crucial for scientific research. Spending benchmarks for extended warranties vary significantly based on instrument complexity and manufacturer pricing strategies.
Small Business Impact
This award went to MALVERN PANALYTICAL INC, a likely original equipment manufacturer. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Interior's U.S. Geological Survey is responsible for this award. Oversight should focus on the justification for not competing the warranty and ensuring fair pricing.
Related Government Programs
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- U.S. Geological Survey Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Limited transparency on pricing justification
- Sole-source award may not be in the government's best interest
Tags
analytical-laboratory-instrument-manufac, department-of-the-interior, co, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $25,880 to MALVERN PANALYTICAL INC. FIELDSPEC 4 ONE YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MALVERN PANALYTICAL INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Geological Survey).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $25,880.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-05-09. End: 2026-05-11.
What is the justification for not competing this extended warranty, and what is the expected impact on the instrument's lifecycle cost?
The justification for not competing likely stems from the need for specialized knowledge or parts only available from the original manufacturer, MALVERN PANALYTICAL INC. This sole-source approach, however, can inflate costs. The impact on lifecycle cost depends on the instrument's criticality and the warranty's necessity versus the risk of out-of-warranty failure and repair expenses.
How does the $25,880 cost compare to industry standards for similar analytical instrument warranties?
Benchmarking this $25,880 cost requires specific details about the analytical instrument's type, age, and original purchase price. Generally, extended warranties can range from 5% to 20% of the original equipment cost annually. Without knowing the instrument's value, a precise comparison is difficult, but the lack of competition suggests it might be on the higher end.
What is the risk of equipment failure or performance degradation if this warranty is not secured, and how does the cost mitigate that risk?
The risk of failure or degradation depends heavily on the instrument's complexity and its role in the USGS's operations. Critical instruments could halt research or data collection if they fail. This warranty mitigates that risk by providing guaranteed support and potentially faster repairs. The $25,880 cost is the price paid to avoid the potentially higher costs of unplanned downtime and emergency repairs.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: QUALITY CONTROL, TEST, INSPECTION › QUALITY CONTROL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 140G0225P0057
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2400 COMPUTER DR STE 201, WESTBOROUGH, MA, 01581
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $25,880
Exercised Options: $25,880
Current Obligation: $25,880
Actual Outlays: $25,880
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-05-09
Current End Date: 2026-05-11
Potential End Date: 2026-05-11 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-01
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