VA awards $470K for immunoassay consumables and sealers, extending existing BPA

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $469,998 ($470.0K)

Contractor: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 182 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.6K/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. SECOND 6 MONTH DELIVERY ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: TARRYTOWN, WESTCHESTER County, NEW YORK, 10591

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $469,998 to SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC. for work described as: CHEMISTRY IMMUNOASSAY CPRR: ADD RENTAL SEALERS AND CONSUMABLES FOR THE SEALERS. SECOND 6 MONTH DELIVERY ORDER Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential consumables and equipment for laboratory operations. 2. Delivery order is a call against an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). 3. The contract term is for a 6-month period, indicating short-term needs. 4. Pricing is fixed, providing cost certainty for the duration of the order. 5. The award is to a single vendor, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $469,998 for a 6-month period for immunoassay consumables and rental sealers appears reasonable given the specialized nature of diagnostic equipment and supplies. Benchmarking against similar contracts for laboratory consumables and equipment rental is challenging without more specific details on the exact items and quantities. However, the use of a BPA call suggests that pricing may have been established through a prior competitive process, potentially offering some value. The fixed-firm price structure provides cost predictability.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, likely as a call against an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). The specific details of the initial BPA competition are not provided, but the 'full and open' designation implies that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The current delivery order, however, is placed with a single vendor, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. The level of competition for the initial BPA would have influenced price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition for the underlying BPA is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages competitive pricing and potentially better terms.

Public Impact

Veterans receiving diagnostic testing services benefit from the availability of necessary laboratory supplies. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) ensures continuity of its laboratory operations. The contract supports healthcare services within the New York region. The contract indirectly supports jobs within the medical diagnostics manufacturing and supply sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Reliance on a single vendor for consumables and equipment could lead to future price increases if competition is not maintained.
The short 6-month duration of this delivery order may indicate a need for frequent re-evaluation of requirements and vendor performance.

Positive Signals

The use of a BPA streamlines the procurement process for recurring needs.
The fixed-firm price contract provides budget certainty for the specified period.
The vendor, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc., is a known entity in the diagnostics market.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing sector, specifically related to immunoassay diagnostics. This sector is critical for healthcare, providing tools and consumables for disease detection and monitoring. The market for diagnostic equipment and consumables is substantial, driven by increasing healthcare demands and technological advancements. This specific award supports the VA's internal laboratory capabilities, ensuring access to essential testing supplies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside for this particular delivery order. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from this award. The primary focus appears to be on fulfilling the VA's direct needs through the awarded vendor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers responsible for laboratory services. As a delivery order against an existing BPA, the initial BPA likely established terms and conditions for oversight. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs Laboratory Services
Medical Equipment and Supplies Procurement
Diagnostic Testing Services
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)

Risk Flags

Single Vendor Reliance
Short Contract Duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $469,998 to SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC.. CHEMISTRY IMMUNOASSAY CPRR: ADD RENTAL SEALERS AND CONSUMABLES FOR THE SEALERS. SECOND 6 MONTH DELIVERY ORDER

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 $469,998.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-09-30.

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

Analyzing the historical spending patterns for immunoassay consumables and sealers by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) requires access to comprehensive procurement data over several fiscal years. While this specific delivery order amounts to approximately $470,000 for a 6-month period, understanding the VA's broader expenditure in this category would involve aggregating data from multiple contracts, BPAs, and delivery orders. Factors such as the number of VA medical centers utilizing these specific immunoassay systems, the volume of tests performed, and the introduction of new diagnostic technologies would influence overall spending. A trend analysis could reveal whether spending is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, potentially indicating shifts in demand, efficiency improvements, or changes in vendor pricing over time. Without access to a broader dataset, it is difficult to establish a definitive historical trend for this specific product category.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar contracts for immunoassay consumables and sealers awarded by other federal agencies?

Comparing the pricing of this $470,000, 6-month contract for immunoassay consumables and sealers to similar contracts across federal agencies is complex without detailed itemization and volume data. However, the fact that this is a call against an existing BPA suggests that pricing may have been established through a prior competitive process. Generally, larger volume purchases or longer-term contracts can yield lower per-unit costs due to economies of scale. Agencies with significant laboratory operations, such as the Department of Defense or Health and Human Services, might have comparable contracts. Benchmarking would ideally involve comparing the unit prices for specific reagents, calibrators, controls, and sealer consumables, as well as rental fees for the sealers, against market rates and other government contracts. The fixed-firm price nature of this award provides cost certainty for the VA for the specified period.

What is the track record of Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. in fulfilling federal contracts for laboratory equipment and consumables?

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. has a significant track record in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly within the healthcare and defense sectors, for a wide range of laboratory equipment, diagnostic instruments, and associated consumables. Their participation in government procurement is extensive, often involving large-scale agreements and BPAs with agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense. Historical data typically shows Siemens as a reliable supplier, though like any large contractor, performance can vary across individual contracts. Key performance indicators often monitored include on-time delivery, product quality, responsiveness to issues, and adherence to contract terms. Analyzing past contract performance, including any reported disputes, contract modifications, or performance issues, would provide a more granular view of their reliability specifically for immunoassay systems and consumables.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single vendor for critical laboratory consumables and equipment?

Relying on a single vendor, such as Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. in this case, for critical laboratory consumables and equipment presents several potential risks. Firstly, there is a risk of price escalation over time, as the vendor may face less competitive pressure to maintain lower prices, especially if the contract is extended or re-awarded without robust competition. Secondly, supply chain disruptions affecting the sole vendor could lead to shortages of essential consumables, potentially impacting the VA's ability to perform critical diagnostic tests. This could lead to delays in patient care. Thirdly, there's a risk of vendor lock-in, where the VA becomes heavily dependent on the vendor's proprietary systems and consumables, making it difficult and costly to switch to alternative solutions in the future. Finally, a decline in the vendor's service quality or responsiveness could negatively impact laboratory operations without readily available alternatives.

How does the use of a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) impact the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of procuring laboratory supplies for the VA?

The use of a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) generally enhances efficiency and cost-effectiveness for recurring procurement needs, such as laboratory supplies for the VA. A BPA is a simplified acquisition vehicle that allows federal agencies to issue orders against pre-negotiated terms and conditions with a specific vendor or vendors. For the VA, this means that the initial competition to establish the BPA likely secured favorable pricing and terms. When a specific need arises, like this delivery order for immunoassay consumables and sealers, the VA can issue an order quickly without conducting a full, separate procurement process. This reduces administrative burden, shortens lead times, and can lead to cost savings through pre-negotiated pricing and potential volume discounts. The efficiency gained allows contracting personnel to focus on more complex acquisitions.

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: $469,998

Exercised Options: $469,998

Current Obligation: $469,998

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24623A0006

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline