VA awards $679K for Flow Cytometer Wash Assistant Supply to Becton, Dickinson and Company

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $67,957 ($68.0K)

Contractor: Becton, Dickinson and Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-20

End Date: 2026-07-19

Contract Duration: 90 days

Daily Burn Rate: $755/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: FLOW CYTOMETER WASH ASSISTANT SUPPLY

Place of Performance

Location: SAN JOSE, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 95131

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $67,957 to BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY for work described as: FLOW CYTOMETER WASH ASSISTANT SUPPLY Key points: 1. The contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting potential cost savings from competition. 2. The duration of the contract is 90 days, suggesting a short-term need or a pilot program. 3. The award is a Purchase Order, which is typically used for smaller value acquisitions. 4. The product falls under the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing NAICS code. 5. The contract is firm-fixed-price, providing cost certainty for the government. 6. The vendor, Becton, Dickinson and Company, is a significant player in the medical technology sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific 'Flow Cytometer Wash Assistant Supply' is challenging without more detailed specifications and market data. However, the total award amount of $679,570 for a 90-day period suggests a potentially high per-diem cost if the supply is for continuous use. Given the sole-source nature, it's difficult to assess if this represents a competitive price. Further analysis would require comparing the unit cost of the 'wash assistant supply' itself against similar products or previous procurements by the VA or other agencies.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded using a sole-source justification, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically reserved for situations where only one vendor can provide the required goods or services, often due to proprietary technology, unique capabilities, or urgent needs. The lack of competition means the VA did not benefit from a bidding process that could have driven down prices through market forces.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the best possible price due to the absence of competitive bidding. The government's ability to negotiate favorable terms is diminished when only one source is considered.

Public Impact

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the primary beneficiary, receiving the necessary supplies for its operations. The supply is critical for the functioning of flow cytometers, which are used in medical laboratories for diagnostic and research purposes. This procurement supports the VA's healthcare services, potentially impacting patient care and medical research within its facilities. The geographic impact is concentrated within the VA facilities where the flow cytometers are deployed, likely across various VA medical centers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition and potential savings.
Short contract duration (90 days) may indicate a temporary need or a precursor to a larger, potentially more competitive, contract.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the supply beyond its basic function.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the VA.
Award to a known entity (Becton, Dickinson and Company) suggests a reliance on established suppliers for critical medical equipment components.
The supply is essential for laboratory operations, ensuring continuity of services.

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls within the broader medical device and laboratory equipment sector. This sector is characterized by significant research and development, stringent regulatory requirements, and a mix of large established companies and smaller specialized firms. The market for flow cytometry equipment and associated supplies is specialized, with a limited number of key manufacturers. Spending in this area is driven by the need for advanced diagnostic and analytical tools in healthcare and research institutions.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to involve significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses based on the sole-source nature of the award. The primary contractor, Becton, Dickinson and Company, is a large corporation. Therefore, this specific award is unlikely to have a direct positive impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting and procurement offices. As a Purchase Order, it is subject to standard administrative oversight. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and the lack of a public competitive bidding process. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Medical Laboratory Equipment
Diagnostic Instruments
Veterans Health Administration Procurement
Flow Cytometry Supplies

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Limited competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $67,957 to BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY. FLOW CYTOMETER WASH ASSISTANT SUPPLY

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 $67,957.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-20. End: 2026-07-19.

What is the specific function and importance of the 'Flow Cytometer Wash Assistant Supply' in the context of VA laboratory operations?

The 'Flow Cytometer Wash Assistant Supply' is a consumable or component essential for the operation of flow cytometers. Flow cytometry is a powerful technique used in clinical laboratories to analyze physical and chemical characteristics of particles or cells as they flow in a stream of fluid. It is crucial for diagnosing and monitoring various conditions, including leukemia, lymphoma, HIV, and immune deficiencies, as well as for research purposes. The 'wash assistant' likely refers to reagents or automated systems that facilitate the washing steps in sample preparation or instrument maintenance, ensuring accurate cell analysis and preventing cross-contamination. For the VA, these instruments are vital for providing timely and accurate diagnostic information to veterans, supporting treatment decisions and monitoring patient health outcomes.

How does the $679,570 price for a 90-day supply compare to market rates for similar products or services?

Directly comparing the $679,570 price for a 90-day supply of a 'Flow Cytometer Wash Assistant Supply' to market rates is difficult without specific product details and volume. However, if this represents the total cost for a single instrument's consumables over three months, it could indicate a high operational cost. The fact that it's a sole-source award to Becton, Dickinson and Company, a major manufacturer, suggests the price might be set by the manufacturer's standard pricing for their proprietary systems. Without competitive bids, it's impossible to definitively state if this price is advantageous or disadvantageous. A thorough benchmark would involve identifying the exact product, its specifications, and obtaining quotes for comparable supplies from other manufacturers or distributors serving similar laboratory needs.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a sole-source contract for essential laboratory supplies?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for essential laboratory supplies is the lack of price competition, which can lead to the government paying a premium. This limits the VA's ability to leverage market dynamics to secure the best possible price. Another risk is vendor lock-in, where the agency becomes dependent on a single supplier, potentially facing future price increases or supply chain disruptions without viable alternatives. Furthermore, sole-source awards can sometimes mask underlying issues, such as inadequate market research or a failure to plan for competitive procurements. This can also reduce transparency in the procurement process, making it harder to justify the expenditure to taxpayers.

What is Becton, Dickinson and Company's track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal agencies?

Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) is a well-established global medical technology company with a significant history of supplying products to federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD). BD's product portfolio includes a wide range of laboratory equipment, diagnostic tools, and medical supplies. Federal procurement databases often show numerous contracts awarded to BD over the years for various items, from reagents and consumables to larger instruments. Their track record generally reflects their position as a major industry player, often involved in both competitive bids and sole-source or limited-competition awards for specialized or proprietary products. Analyzing past performance data and contract history with the VA would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and pricing trends.

How does this $679K contract fit into the VA's overall spending on laboratory equipment and supplies?

This $679,570 contract for a 90-day supply of a specific flow cytometer component represents a relatively small portion of the VA's total annual budget for laboratory equipment and supplies. The VA operates a vast network of medical centers and clinics, each requiring a wide array of diagnostic tools and consumables. Annual spending on laboratory operations can easily run into hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars across the entire system. While this specific award is significant for the product line it covers, it is unlikely to represent a major shift or trend in the VA's overall procurement strategy for laboratory needs. It is one of many individual procurements necessary to maintain the operational capacity of its extensive healthcare 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

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Becton, Dickinson and CO

Address: 2350 QUME DR, SAN JOSE, CA, 95131

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: $67,957

Exercised Options: $67,957

Current Obligation: $67,957

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline