VA awards $205K for immunoassay consumables and sealer rentals, extending existing BPA call

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $205,000 ($205.0K)

Contractor: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-09-23

Contract Duration: 175 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/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 PO

Place of Performance

Location: TARRYTOWN, WESTCHESTER County, NEW YORK, 10591

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $205,000 to SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC. for work described as: CHEMISTRY IMMUNOASSAY CPRR: ADD RENTAL SEALERS AND CONSUMABLES FOR THE SEALERS. SECOND 6 MONTH PO Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential consumables and equipment for laboratory operations. 2. The award utilizes an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, suggesting streamlined procurement. 3. The duration of the order is relatively short, indicating a need for immediate or ongoing supplies. 4. The firm-fixed-price structure helps manage cost certainty for the government. 5. The contract is for analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing, a specialized sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $205,000 for a 6-month period appears reasonable for specialized laboratory consumables and equipment rental. Benchmarking against similar contracts for immunoassay supplies and instrumentation would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The use of a BPA call suggests that pricing may have been established through a prior competitive process, potentially offering good value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competitive nature suggests that the Department of Veterans Affairs sought the best available pricing and terms. This approach generally leads to a more robust price discovery process.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices and encourages innovation among suppliers.

Public Impact

Veterans receiving healthcare services benefit from the availability of accurate diagnostic testing. The contract ensures the continued operation of analytical laboratories within the VA. Services are delivered to facilities in New York (NY). This contract supports the healthcare sector workforce by providing necessary tools for laboratory technicians and scientists.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions if the sole supplier faces issues.
Reliance on specific equipment (sealers) may create vendor lock-in for future needs.

Positive Signals

Ensures continuity of critical diagnostic testing for veterans.
Leverages an existing BPA call, indicating efficient procurement.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector, specifically focusing on consumables and rental equipment for immunoassay testing. This is a critical sub-sector supporting healthcare diagnostics. The market for such supplies is competitive, driven by technological advancements and the demand from healthcare providers, including government agencies like the VA.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from this specific award. The primary contractor, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc., is a large entity, and the focus is on direct supply rather than fostering small business participation through set-asides.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, which typically has established oversight mechanisms. The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance with the terms of the agreement. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases, and any issues would likely be handled through the VA's standard procurement oversight and dispute resolution processes.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Supplies
Clinical Laboratory Equipment and Reagents
Diagnostic Testing Services
Healthcare Information Technology

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain disruption
Vendor lock-in risk for specialized equipment
Short contract duration requires careful management

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $205,000 to SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC.. CHEMISTRY IMMUNOASSAY CPRR: ADD RENTAL SEALERS AND CONSUMABLES FOR THE SEALERS. SECOND 6 MONTH PO

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 $205,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-09-23.

What is the track record of Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. has a history of providing medical equipment and consumables to various government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs. Their involvement often centers around laboratory diagnostics, imaging, and related services. Analyzing past performance data, including contract awards, delivery performance, and any reported issues or disputes with the VA, would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and effectiveness in fulfilling VA requirements. This specific contract, being a BPA call, suggests a pre-existing relationship and likely a positive performance history that led to the extension or continuation of services.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar immunoassay consumable contracts?

Without specific unit pricing or detailed product lists, a direct price comparison is challenging. However, the total award of $205,000 for a 6-month period for immunoassay consumables and sealer rentals suggests a moderate expenditure. The fact that this is a BPA call implies that pricing was likely established through a prior competitive process, potentially offering good value. To conduct a thorough benchmark, one would need to compare the cost of specific reagents, calibrators, controls, and sealer units/rental fees against market rates and other government contracts for similar product categories, considering factors like volume discounts and contract duration.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

Key risks include potential supply chain disruptions for critical consumables, which could impact laboratory operations and patient care. Dependence on specific sealer models might lead to vendor lock-in, limiting future flexibility or cost savings. Furthermore, the short duration of this specific order (175 days) necessitates continuous monitoring and timely re-procurement to avoid service gaps. Ensuring the reliability and maintenance of the rented sealers is also a consideration. Finally, the performance of Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. in delivering these specific items on time and to specification is an ongoing risk that requires monitoring.

How effective is the Department of Veterans Affairs in managing contracts for laboratory supplies?

The VA's effectiveness in managing laboratory supply contracts can be assessed through several lenses. The use of BPA calls, as seen here, suggests an effort towards efficient and streamlined procurement for recurring needs. However, the effectiveness ultimately depends on robust contract administration, including diligent monitoring of delivery schedules, quality control, and vendor performance. Analyzing historical data on contract completion rates, incidence of disputes, and user satisfaction surveys from VA laboratory staff would provide a more comprehensive evaluation of their management capabilities in this area.

What are the historical spending patterns for immunoassay consumables and equipment within the VA?

Historical spending patterns for immunoassay consumables and equipment within the VA would likely show a consistent and significant investment due to the critical role of diagnostics in healthcare. Analyzing past contract awards, including the total dollar amounts, contract types, and durations over several fiscal years, would reveal trends in demand, supplier relationships, and the evolution of procurement strategies. This data could highlight periods of increased spending, shifts towards specific technologies or vendors, and the overall budget allocated to this category, providing context for the current $205,000 award.

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: $205,000

Exercised Options: $205,000

Current Obligation: $205,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24623A0006

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline