VA awards $46.1M contract for analytical laboratory instruments to POLYMEDCO LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $46,109 ($46.1K)

Contractor: Polymedco LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-10-01

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $127/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: POLYMEDCO CPT - OY4

Place of Performance

Location: CORTLANDT MANOR, WESTCHESTER County, NEW YORK, 10567

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $46,108.62 to POLYMEDCO LLC for work described as: POLYMEDCO CPT - OY4 Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is a BPA Call, indicating it's a call order against an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 4. The contract duration is one year, suggesting a need for ongoing but not long-term instrument supply. 5. The primary contractor, POLYMEDCO LLC, is based in New York. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334516 points to analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $46.1 million for a one-year period for analytical laboratory instruments appears reasonable given the scope. Without specific details on the instruments or quantities, direct benchmarking is challenging. However, the use of a BPA Call suggests that pricing may have been established or negotiated under a prior, potentially more competitive, process. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the VA.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and value for the government. The BPA Call mechanism implies that the underlying BPA may have been competed previously.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive bids and potentially lower prices.

Public Impact

Veterans will benefit from improved diagnostic capabilities through access to advanced analytical laboratory instruments. The contract supports the Department of Veterans Affairs' healthcare services by ensuring the availability of essential laboratory equipment. The geographic impact is primarily within New York, where the contractor is located, but the instruments will likely be used across VA facilities. The contract supports jobs in the analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the instruments and their performance metrics.
The BPA Call mechanism might obscure the true level of competition for this specific order.
Potential for vendor lock-in if the instruments require proprietary consumables or maintenance.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified vendors.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability.
The contractor is established in the relevant industry.

Sector Analysis

The market for analytical laboratory instruments is a significant segment of the broader scientific and medical equipment industry. This sector is characterized by technological innovation and a need for high-precision equipment for research, diagnostics, and quality control. Spending in this area by government agencies like the VA is crucial for maintaining advanced healthcare and research capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend heavily on the specific types and quantities of instruments procured.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside requirement. However, the prime contractor, POLYMEDCO LLC, may choose to engage small businesses as subcontractors, though this is not mandated by the contract terms.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring delivery of specified goods. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, though specific performance metrics and detailed spending breakdowns may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Medical Laboratory Equipment
Diagnostic Instruments
Veterans Health Administration Procurement
Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Contracts
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in with proprietary consumables/services.
Risk of technological obsolescence in a rapidly evolving instrument market.
Limited insight into the specific performance metrics of the instruments.
Competition level for the specific BPA Call order is not detailed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $46,108.62 to POLYMEDCO LLC. POLYMEDCO CPT - OY4

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is POLYMEDCO LLC.

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 $46,108.62.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-10-01. End: 2025-09-30.

What specific types of analytical laboratory instruments are being procured under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact types of analytical laboratory instruments being procured. The NAICS code 334516 indicates the manufacturing of analytical laboratory instruments, which can encompass a wide range of equipment such as spectrometers, chromatographs, microscopes, centrifuges, and various diagnostic testing devices. To understand the specific items, one would need to review the contract's statement of work or associated documentation, which details the precise equipment, quantities, and technical specifications required by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

How does the $46.1 million contract value compare to historical VA spending on similar laboratory instruments?

Direct comparison of the $46.1 million contract value to historical VA spending on similar instruments is difficult without more granular data on the specific types and quantities of instruments procured. However, the contract is a one-year BPA Call, suggesting it's part of an ongoing procurement strategy. The VA, as a large healthcare provider, consistently invests in laboratory equipment to support its medical facilities. Analyzing past VA contracts for analytical instruments, particularly those awarded under similar competitive conditions and for comparable durations, would provide a more accurate benchmark. The firm fixed-price nature suggests cost certainty for this period.

What is the track record of POLYMEDCO LLC in fulfilling government contracts, particularly for the VA?

Information regarding POLYMEDCO LLC's specific track record with government contracts, especially with the VA, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), previous contract awards, and any history of disputes or contract terminations. As this is a BPA Call, it implies POLYMEDCO LLC likely held or was awarded a position on a BPA, suggesting some level of pre-qualification. Further investigation into their contract history would reveal their reliability and performance quality.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Potential risks include the possibility of the procured instruments becoming obsolete quickly due to rapid technological advancements, or issues with vendor support and maintenance. If the instruments require specific, proprietary consumables or software, there's a risk of vendor lock-in and inflated recurring costs. Mitigation strategies likely include the VA's procurement process, which should have evaluated the technology's lifecycle and the vendor's support capabilities. The firm fixed-price nature mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. Furthermore, the contract's one-year duration allows for reassessment and potential re-competition if issues arise.

How does the 'BPA Call' contract type affect the transparency and competition compared to a direct award?

A 'BPA Call' is an order placed against an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). The initial BPA is typically competed, establishing terms and conditions, including pricing, for a set period. A BPA Call then utilizes those pre-negotiated terms for a specific purchase. This can streamline the procurement process and potentially offer better pricing due to the prior competition for the BPA. However, it can sometimes reduce the transparency of competition for the specific order itself, as the primary competition occurred when the BPA was established. The 'full and open' designation for this BPA Call indicates the underlying BPA was competed broadly.

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

Address: 510 FURNACE DOCK RD, CORTLANDT MANOR, NY, 10567

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $46,109

Exercised Options: $46,109

Current Obligation: $46,109

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C25021A0009

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline