VA awards $67K for Blood Culture Incubation System to Becton, Dickinson and Company

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $67,007 ($67.0K)

Contractor: Becton, Dickinson and Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $184/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: EMERGENCY FOR BLOOD CULTURE INCUBATION SYSTEM

Place of Performance

Location: SPARKS GLENCOE, BALTIMORE County, MARYLAND, 21152

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $67,006.5 to BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY for work described as: EMERGENCY FOR BLOOD CULTURE INCUBATION SYSTEM Key points: 1. Spending is low for this emergency purchase, indicating a critical need. 2. Becton, Dickinson and Company is a major player in the medical device market. 3. Risk of overpayment is moderate due to sole-source procurement. 4. The sector is Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, crucial for healthcare diagnostics.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The $67,006.50 award for a blood culture incubation system appears reasonable for a single unit, but without specific model details or comparable contract data, a precise benchmark is difficult. The firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under SAP, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs compared to a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for this emergency purchase, with the potential for reduced value due to the lack of competition.

Public Impact

Ensures critical blood culture testing capabilities for VA patients. Supports timely diagnosis and treatment of infections. Potential for increased healthcare costs due to sole-source award.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source procurement limits competition and price negotiation.
Lack of detailed justification for sole-source award.
Short contract duration may necessitate future procurements.

Positive Signals

Addresses an urgent need for essential medical equipment.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.

Sector Analysis

The Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector is vital for healthcare, providing tools for disease diagnosis. Spending benchmarks vary widely based on instrument complexity and volume. This award is a small expenditure within this sector.

Small Business Impact

This award went to Becton, Dickinson and Company, a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this sole-source procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for this procurement. Oversight should focus on the justification for sole-source and ensuring fair pricing, even without competition.

Related Government Programs

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for overpricing
Urgent need may bypass standard vetting

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $67,006.5 to BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY. EMERGENCY FOR BLOOD CULTURE INCUBATION SYSTEM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY.

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 $67,006.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract sole-source?

The provided data does not specify the justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are used when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services, or in cases of urgent and compelling need. Further investigation into VA's procurement file would be required to ascertain the precise reason.

What is the potential cost impact of not competing this requirement?

Not competing this requirement likely resulted in a higher price than could have been achieved through a competitive bidding process. Without competitive pressure, the vendor may not have offered their best price. The exact cost premium is unknown without a benchmark from a similar competitive award.

How does this purchase align with the VA's overall laboratory equipment strategy?

This purchase addresses an immediate need for a blood culture incubation system, which is a fundamental component of laboratory diagnostics. Its alignment with the VA's broader strategy would depend on whether this acquisition fits into planned upgrades, replacements, or expansions of their laboratory infrastructure.

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: Becton, Dickinson and CO

Address: 7 LOVETON CIR, SPARKS GLENCOE, MD, 21152

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: $67,007

Exercised Options: $67,007

Current Obligation: $67,007

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline