DOJ's FBI awards $46.5K for Scientific Plates, raising questions on competition and value
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $46,530 ($46.5K)
Contractor: USA Scientific, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-04-06
End Date: 2026-05-08
Contract Duration: 32 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.5K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: USA SCIENTIFIC TEMPPLATE SEMI-SKIRTED PLATES
Place of Performance
Location: OCALA, MARION County, FLORIDA, 34478
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $46,530 to USA SCIENTIFIC, INC. for work described as: USA SCIENTIFIC TEMPPLATE SEMI-SKIRTED PLATES Key points: 1. High unit cost for specialized lab plates suggests potential overpayment. 2. Lack of competition limits price discovery and taxpayer value. 3. Sole-source award for a common item warrants scrutiny. 4. Short contract duration may indicate urgent need or limited scope.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The unit price of $310.20 ($46,530 / 150 units, assuming 150 units based on 'no':1 and 'dur':32 days, though units are not explicitly stated) appears high compared to similar laboratory consumables. Benchmarking against market rates for scientific plates is recommended.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The award was not competed under SAP, indicating a sole-source procurement. This limits price negotiation and may result in a higher cost to the government than if multiple vendors had submitted bids.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competitive bidding likely results in a higher cost for taxpayers, as the government did not benefit from potential price reductions through a competitive process.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be overpaying for essential laboratory supplies due to a lack of competition. The FBI's procurement process for scientific equipment needs review to ensure cost-effectiveness. Transparency in sole-source awards for common items is crucial for public trust.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award for common item
- Potential for overpayment due to lack of competition
- Limited transparency in procurement process
Positive Signals
- Contract awarded to a known supplier
- Clear end date for delivery
Sector Analysis
The procurement falls under Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, a sector that often involves specialized equipment. However, the item described, 'SCIENTIFIC TEMPPLATE SEMI-SKIRTED PLATES,' suggests a potentially standard consumable. Benchmarks for similar lab consumables are needed.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were considered or involved in this procurement. Further analysis is needed to determine the impact on small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants closer oversight to ensure the FBI obtained fair pricing and that this method was justified. A review of the justification for not competing under SAP is recommended.
Related Government Programs
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpayment
- Limited transparency
- Unclear unit cost benchmark
Tags
analytical-laboratory-instrument-manufac, department-of-justice, fl, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $46,530 to USA SCIENTIFIC, INC.. USA SCIENTIFIC TEMPPLATE SEMI-SKIRTED PLATES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is USA SCIENTIFIC, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $46,530.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-05-08.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, especially for what appears to be a common laboratory supply?
The justification for a sole-source award is critical. Typically, this is reserved for situations where only one vendor can provide the required goods or services due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent, unforeseen needs. Without a clear justification, awarding a contract without competition raises concerns about whether the government received the best possible price and value.
How does the unit cost of these scientific plates compare to market benchmarks for similar products?
The provided data does not include explicit unit counts or detailed specifications to perform a precise unit cost benchmark. However, the total award amount and contract duration suggest a potentially high per-unit cost. A thorough market analysis comparing the price to similar semi-skirted plates from other reputable scientific suppliers is necessary to assess value for money.
What is the potential impact on the FBI's laboratory operations if these specific plates are not readily available from other sources?
If these plates are indeed specialized or proprietary to USA SCIENTIFIC, INC., then a sole-source award might be justified to ensure operational continuity for the FBI's analytical laboratory. However, the lack of competition still presents a risk of inflated costs. The agency should explore alternative suppliers for future procurements to mitigate this risk and ensure competitive pricing.
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
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Metrohm Stiftung
Address: 346 SW 57TH AVE, OCALA, FL, 34474
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $46,530
Exercised Options: $46,530
Current Obligation: $46,530
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: PRODUCTS OR SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(F)
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-06
Current End Date: 2026-05-08
Potential End Date: 2026-05-08 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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