VA awards $1.28M for chemistry immunoassay consumables and sealers to Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,276,519 ($1.3M)

Contractor: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: CHEMISTRY IMMUNOASSAY CPRR: ADD RENTAL SEALERS AND CONSUMABLES FOR THE SEALERS.

Place of Performance

Location: TARRYTOWN, WESTCHESTER County, NEW YORK, 10591

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $1.3 million to SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC. for work described as: CHEMISTRY IMMUNOASSAY CPRR: ADD RENTAL SEALERS AND CONSUMABLES FOR THE SEALERS. Key points: 1. Contract provides essential consumables and rental sealers for immunoassay testing. 2. Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, a major player, secured this award. 3. The contract duration is one year, with potential for renewal. 4. Pricing appears to be a fixed-price agreement, offering cost predictability. 5. The award falls under a broader purchasing agreement (BPA Call). 6. The specific product code (334516) relates to analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.28 million for a one-year period for immunoassay consumables and sealer rentals appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the equipment and supplies. Benchmarking against similar contracts for laboratory diagnostics is challenging without more specific details on the exact consumables and sealer models. However, Siemens is a known provider in this space, suggesting a competitive price point was likely negotiated within the BPA framework.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The use of a BPA Call suggests that a broader competition may have occurred previously to establish the base agreement, with this being a call-off against that. The specific number of bidders for this particular call is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation implies a robust competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to offer their best pricing.

Public Impact

Veterans will benefit from accurate and timely diagnostic testing. Essential laboratory consumables and rental equipment will be supplied to VA facilities. The services will primarily impact VA medical centers in New York. This contract supports the operational needs of clinical laboratories within the VA healthcare system.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if specific consumables are only compatible with rented sealers.
Reliance on a single vendor for both equipment and consumables could limit future negotiation leverage.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the duration of the award.
BPA Call mechanism can streamline procurement for recurring needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader healthcare diagnostics and laboratory equipment sector. The market for immunoassay analyzers and associated consumables is substantial, driven by the increasing demand for accurate disease detection and monitoring. Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics is a significant global player in this market. This contract represents a portion of the VA's overall spending on medical equipment and supplies, contributing to the operational efficiency of its laboratory services.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements for this contract. As a large contract likely awarded to a major manufacturer, the focus is on established industry players rather than small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Oversight would typically involve contract officers, program managers, and potentially the VA Office of Inspector General for any significant issues. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics are not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Supplies
Clinical Laboratory Equipment Procurement
Diagnostic Reagents and Consumables
Healthcare Information and Management Systems

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Reliance on single supplier for critical consumables and equipment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $1.3 million to SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC.. CHEMISTRY IMMUNOASSAY CPRR: ADD RENTAL SEALERS AND CONSUMABLES FOR THE SEALERS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the historical spending pattern for chemistry immunoassay consumables and sealers by the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Analyzing historical spending for this specific category requires access to detailed VA procurement data over multiple fiscal years. Without direct access to such historical data, it's difficult to provide precise figures. However, the VA, as a large healthcare provider, consistently procures significant volumes of laboratory consumables and equipment. Spending in this area is influenced by factors such as patient volume, the introduction of new diagnostic tests, and the lifecycle of existing equipment. The current award of $1.28 million for a one-year period suggests a consistent need for these supplies, likely reflecting ongoing operational requirements for immunoassay testing across VA facilities.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar contracts for immunoassay consumables and sealers?

Direct price comparison is challenging without knowing the exact models of sealers and the specific types and quantities of consumables included in this $1.28 million contract. Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics is a major supplier, and pricing can vary based on volume discounts, contract terms, and the competitive landscape at the time of award. If this contract was awarded under a broader, previously competed Best Practices Agreement (BPA), the pricing might be pre-negotiated. To assess value, one would ideally compare the per-unit cost of consumables and the rental fees for sealers against market rates or other government contracts for comparable items. The 'full and open competition' designation suggests an effort was made to secure competitive pricing.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is performance being monitored?

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract are not detailed in the provided award data. However, typical KPIs for such contracts would likely include on-time delivery of consumables, reliability and uptime of rented sealers, accuracy and quality of the consumables, and responsiveness to service requests. The Department of Veterans Affairs would assign a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) to monitor performance against the contract's terms and conditions. Performance would be assessed through regular reporting, site visits, and potentially user feedback from the VA laboratories utilizing the equipment and supplies.

What is the track record of Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. in fulfilling government contracts, particularly for the VA?

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. has a significant track record of supplying medical equipment, diagnostics, and consumables to government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs. As a large, established company, they are accustomed to the procurement processes and requirements of federal agencies. Their history with the VA likely includes numerous awards for various laboratory and diagnostic solutions. While specific performance details for past contracts are not publicly itemized here, their continued presence as a bidder and awardee suggests a generally satisfactory performance history in meeting contractual obligations for quality, delivery, and service.

Are there any potential risks associated with relying on a single vendor for both immunoassay consumables and sealer rentals?

Yes, there are potential risks associated with relying on a single vendor for both immunoassay consumables and sealer rentals. One primary risk is vendor lock-in, where the consumables are specifically designed for the rented sealers, making it difficult or impossible to switch to a different, potentially more cost-effective, vendor for either the consumables or the equipment in the future. This can reduce competitive pressure and limit negotiation leverage for the VA in subsequent contract periods. Additionally, if the vendor experiences supply chain disruptions or service issues with the sealers, it could directly impact the VA's ability to perform critical immunoassay testing, potentially affecting patient care.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Altair Engineering Inc.

Address: 511 BENEDICT AVE, TARRYTOWN, NY, 10591

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: $1,276,519

Exercised Options: $1,276,519

Current Obligation: $1,276,519

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24623A0006

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline