VA awards $3.3M contract for lab instruments to Tosoh Bioscience, extending existing agreement

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,317 ($3.3K)

Contractor: Tosoh Bioscience, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2025-12-31

Contract Duration: 91 days

Daily Burn Rate: $36/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: VISN 16 LAB BRIDGE BPA A1C - EXERCISE 3-MONTH OPTION IAW FAR 52.217-9

Place of Performance

Location: GROVE CITY, FRANKLIN County, OHIO, 43123

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $3,316.6 to TOSOH BIOSCIENCE, INC. for work described as: VISN 16 LAB BRIDGE BPA A1C - EXERCISE 3-MONTH OPTION IAW FAR 52.217-9 Key points: 1. Contract value of $3.3M for a 3-month period. 2. Tosoh Bioscience, Inc. is the incumbent contractor. 3. The procurement falls under Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (NAICS 334516). 4. This is an exercise of a 3-month option on an existing BPA.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.3M for a 3-month period suggests a significant per-unit cost for analytical laboratory instruments. Benchmarking against similar contracts would be necessary to confirm pricing reasonableness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it promotes market efficiency and cost savings.

Public Impact

Ensures continued access to essential laboratory instruments for VA facilities. Supports ongoing medical diagnostics and research within the VA system. Maintains operational continuity for laboratory services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Option exercise on an existing BPA may limit new competition.
Short 3-month duration could indicate a need for a more comprehensive long-term solution.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Incumbent contractor likely provides reliable service.

Sector Analysis

The Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector (NAICS 334516) is critical for healthcare and research. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on technological advancements and agency needs.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses participated in this procurement. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business inclusion.

Oversight & Accountability

The exercise of an option on an existing BPA falls under standard contract management procedures. Oversight would focus on performance and adherence to the original BPA terms.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to option exercise.
Short contract duration may indicate a temporary solution.
Lack of detailed pricing data for benchmarking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $3,316.6 to TOSOH BIOSCIENCE, INC.. VISN 16 LAB BRIDGE BPA A1C - EXERCISE 3-MONTH OPTION IAW FAR 52.217-9

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TOSOH BIOSCIENCE, 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 $3,316.6.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2025-12-31.

What was the original competition strategy for the base BPA, and did it allow for future option exercises?

The original competition strategy for the base BPA is not detailed in the provided data. However, the exercise of a 3-month option indicates that the original contract terms, likely established during the initial full and open competition, permitted such extensions. This suggests a pre-planned approach to contract management and potential for continuity of services.

Are there any concerns regarding the sole-source nature of this option exercise, given the original full and open competition?

While the original award was under full and open competition, exercising an option on an existing BPA can sometimes limit immediate new competition. However, if the option was clearly defined and priced within the original competitive scope, it is a standard and permissible contract action. The primary concern would be if the option period is excessively long or if the pricing is not competitive.

How does the per-unit cost of these instruments compare to market benchmarks, and what is the long-term strategy for acquiring these instruments?

The provided data does not include per-unit cost benchmarks or details on the long-term acquisition strategy. A thorough analysis would require comparing the unit prices to industry standards and understanding if this 3-month option is a bridge to a new competitive procurement or a short-term extension of existing needs.

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: 6000 SHORELINE COURTS, STE 101, SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 94080

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,068

Exercised Options: $13,068

Current Obligation: $3,317

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C25624A0029

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline