DOJ's $3M Peak Scientific contract for LCMS Nitrogen Generator Repair awarded without competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,013 ($3.0K)

Contractor: Peak Scientific Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 265 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TITLE: PEAK SCIENTIFIC - LCMS NITROGEN GENERATOR REPAIR REQUESTOR: ALEXANDRA X GONGORA DELIVERY DATE: 09/30/2026

Place of Performance

Location: WESTFORD, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01886

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $3,012.62 to PEAK SCIENTIFIC INC for work described as: TITLE: PEAK SCIENTIFIC - LCMS NITROGEN GENERATOR REPAIR REQUESTOR: ALEXANDRA X GONGORA DELIVERY DATE: 09/30/2026 Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, indicating clear cost expectations. 2. The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny regarding potential price inflation. 3. A single bid suggests limited market engagement and potential missed opportunities for cost savings. 4. The contract duration of 265 days is relatively short, implying a focused scope of work. 5. The purchase order mechanism suggests a streamlined acquisition process for this specific need. 6. The contract is for analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing, a specialized sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Without competitive bidding, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money. The fixed-price nature provides some cost certainty, but the absence of competition raises concerns about whether the government secured the best possible price. A comparison to similar repair services for LCMS systems from other vendors or historical data for this specific equipment would be necessary to fully assess value. The total award amount of $3,012.62 is relatively small, which might explain the procurement method, but transparency in pricing is still crucial.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was awarded as a sole-source purchase order. The data indicates only one vendor, Peak Scientific Inc., was involved in this transaction. The lack of competition means there was no opportunity for multiple vendors to bid, which could limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive pressure to drive down costs. Without multiple bids, it's harder to ensure the government is receiving the most economical solution.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of Justice, specifically the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The service delivered is the repair of LCMS Nitrogen Generators, critical for analytical laboratory operations. The geographic impact is likely localized to the DEA facility where the instrument is located. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving specialized technicians for the repair.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in inflated pricing.
Sole-source award limits opportunities for exploring alternative solutions or vendors.
Transparency in the justification for sole-source award is crucial for accountability.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the awarded amount.
The award is for a specific, likely necessary, repair service for analytical equipment.
The total award amount is relatively small, suggesting a targeted and contained expenditure.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector, specifically related to maintenance and repair of specialized equipment. This sector is characterized by high-value, precision instruments essential for scientific research, quality control, and law enforcement. The market for such specialized repair services can be limited, often dominated by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) or authorized service providers, which can sometimes lead to sole-source or limited competition awards. Benchmarking spending in this niche requires comparing repair costs for similar LCMS systems across different agencies or research institutions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not competed under SAP and was awarded to Peak Scientific Inc. There is no specific information provided regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans for this particular award. Given the sole-source nature and the specific equipment involved, it is unlikely that small businesses were directly involved as prime contractors, though they might be part of Peak Scientific's supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's internal procurement regulations and the Drug Enforcement Administration's contracting officers. As a purchase order, it is likely subject to standard administrative oversight. Transparency regarding the justification for the sole-source award is key for public accountability. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Analytical Laboratory Equipment Maintenance
Drug Enforcement Administration Equipment Procurement
Department of Justice Scientific Instrument Services
Sole-Source Procurements for Specialized Equipment

Risk Flags

Sole-source award without competition
Potential for lack of price discovery
Limited vendor options for specialized repair

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $3,012.62 to PEAK SCIENTIFIC INC. TITLE: PEAK SCIENTIFIC - LCMS NITROGEN GENERATOR REPAIR REQUESTOR: ALEXANDRA X GONGORA DELIVERY DATE: 09/30/2026

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PEAK SCIENTIFIC INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Drug Enforcement Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3,012.62.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the specific model of the LCMS Nitrogen Generator being repaired, and why is Peak Scientific the only viable vendor?

The provided data does not specify the exact model of the LCMS Nitrogen Generator. However, Peak Scientific is a known manufacturer of nitrogen generators specifically designed for LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) applications. Often, specialized analytical equipment requires maintenance and repair by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or an authorized service provider due to proprietary technology, unique calibration requirements, or warranty stipulations. Without further details on the justification for the sole-source award, it is presumed that Peak Scientific holds the necessary expertise, parts, or intellectual property to service this specific equipment, making them the only technically acceptable vendor in this instance.

How does the $3,012.62 award amount compare to typical repair costs for similar LCMS nitrogen generators?

The award amount of $3,012.62 for the repair of an LCMS Nitrogen Generator is relatively modest. Typical repair costs for such specialized laboratory equipment can vary significantly based on the nature of the issue, the specific model, the required parts, and labor rates. While some minor repairs or diagnostic services might fall within this range, more complex component replacements or extensive troubleshooting could easily exceed this amount. Without knowing the specific problem addressed by this purchase order, it's challenging to definitively benchmark this cost. However, for a single repair event, it appears to be within a reasonable, albeit low, expenditure range for specialized scientific equipment.

What is Peak Scientific Inc.'s track record with the federal government, particularly the Department of Justice?

The provided data indicates Peak Scientific Inc. is the contractor for this specific purchase order with the Department of Justice. To assess their broader track record, a search of federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would be necessary. This would reveal the number of previous contracts awarded to Peak Scientific, their total value, the agencies they have served, and the types of goods or services provided. A history of successful contract performance, timely delivery, and competitive pricing with other federal agencies would build confidence in their capabilities. Conversely, a history of performance issues or frequent sole-source awards might raise concerns.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a contract for specialized equipment repair without competition?

The primary risk associated with awarding a contract without competition is the potential for overpayment. When only one vendor is considered, there is no market pressure to ensure the price offered is the most competitive. This can lead to inflated costs for the government. Additionally, a lack of competition might mean the government misses out on potentially innovative solutions or better service offerings from other qualified vendors. It can also create a dependency on a single supplier, which can be problematic if that supplier experiences issues or significantly increases their prices in the future. Ensuring the sole-source justification is robust and documented is critical to mitigate these risks.

How does this contract fit into the broader spending patterns for analytical laboratory equipment and services within the Department of Justice?

This contract represents a small, specific expenditure for the repair of a single piece of analytical equipment. The Department of Justice, particularly agencies like the DEA, relies heavily on sophisticated analytical instruments for forensic analysis and investigations. Therefore, spending on the acquisition, maintenance, and repair of such equipment is a necessary operational cost. This $3,012.62 award is likely a minor component of the overall budget allocated for laboratory operations. Analyzing broader spending patterns would involve examining historical data for similar repair contracts, as well as capital investments in new analytical instrumentation across the DOJ to understand the scale and trends in this spending category.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

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: 210 LITTLETON RD STE 110, WESTFORD, MA, 01886

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,013

Exercised Options: $3,013

Current Obligation: $3,013

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline