GSA awards $2.7M contract for filters to Government Scientific Source Inc., highlighting potential value concerns

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,716,210 ($2.7M)

Contractor: Government Scientific Source Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2024-08-29

End Date: 2025-12-18

Contract Duration: 476 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 47QFNA19K00220586 JPEO CBRND BTD 120L FILTER

Place of Performance

Location: GUNPOWDER, HARFORD County, MARYLAND, 21010

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $2.7 million to GOVERNMENT SCIENTIFIC SOURCE INC for work described as: 47QFNA19K00220586 JPEO CBRND BTD 120L FILTER Key points: 1. The contract's value appears reasonable given the duration and fixed-price nature, but detailed benchmarking is needed. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a potentially competitive process. 3. The contract involves a single delivery order, indicating a specific, defined need. 4. Performance is expected over 1.5 years, aligning with typical procurement cycles for specialized equipment. 5. The product category relates to specialized measuring and controlling devices, fitting within a niche manufacturing sector. 6. The contractor, Government Scientific Source Inc., has a track record that warrants further examination for performance consistency.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $2.7 million over approximately 1.5 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Without specific unit details or comparable contract data, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government. Benchmarking against similar filter procurements for specialized equipment would be necessary to definitively assess if the pricing is competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific sources may have been excluded based on predefined criteria. The presence of two bidders suggests some level of competition, but the exact number of potential bidders and the reasons for exclusion could impact price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive process, even with exclusions, aims to secure the best value for taxpayers. Understanding the rationale behind source exclusion is key to ensuring fair competition and optimal pricing.

Public Impact

This contract will likely benefit government agencies requiring specialized filters for environmental monitoring or control systems. The services delivered involve the provision of specific filter units, crucial for maintaining operational integrity of certain equipment. The contract is geographically focused on Maryland, where the delivery is expected. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily related to the supply chain and logistics for delivering the filters.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed unit cost information makes it difficult to assess true value for money.
The 'exclusion of sources' clause requires scrutiny to ensure it did not unduly limit competition.
Contractor's past performance history needs to be reviewed to identify any potential risks.
The specific application of these filters is not detailed, limiting understanding of their criticality.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition, even with exclusions, suggests an effort to achieve competitive pricing.
The contract duration is clearly defined, allowing for planning.
The award is made to a single entity, simplifying contract management.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing' sector (NAICS 334519). This is a specialized segment of the manufacturing industry focused on producing instruments and devices for measurement, control, and analysis. Spending in this sector can vary significantly based on defense, research, and industrial needs. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found within government procurements for scientific equipment, environmental sensors, or specialized industrial components.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false). There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award is likely limited, unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses in its supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the contracting agency (General Services Administration, Federal Acquisition Service) and potentially the relevant program office. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring delivery of specified goods. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed performance metrics may not always be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Monitoring Equipment Procurement
Specialized Industrial Component Supply
Government Scientific Instrument Contracts
Defense Supply Chain Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
Need for detailed unit cost analysis to confirm value for money.
Contractor past performance requires verification.
Specificity of filter application is unclear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $2.7 million to GOVERNMENT SCIENTIFIC SOURCE INC. 47QFNA19K00220586 JPEO CBRND BTD 120L FILTER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GOVERNMENT SCIENTIFIC SOURCE INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-08-29. End: 2025-12-18.

What is the specific type and function of the '120L FILTER' being procured?

The provided data identifies the item as a '120L FILTER' under JPEO CBRND BTD. JPEO CBRND typically refers to the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense. This suggests the filter is likely a specialized component for equipment designed to protect against or detect CBRN threats. The '120L' designation could refer to a capacity, size, or specific model number critical for its intended application, such as air filtration in protective suits, shelters, or detection systems. Without further technical specifications or context from the contract's statement of work, its precise function remains inferred based on the procuring entity.

How does the price per unit compare to similar filter procurements in the federal market?

The provided data does not include the quantity of filters being procured, making a direct per-unit cost calculation impossible. The total award is $2,716,210.11. To compare pricing, one would need to know the number of '120L FILTER' units included in this delivery order. Once the quantity is known, the per-unit cost could be calculated and benchmarked against historical federal procurements for similar specialized filters, considering factors like filter type, performance specifications (e.g., micron rating, flow rate, lifespan), and the procuring agency. A higher quantity typically leads to lower per-unit costs due to economies of scale.

What is the track record of Government Scientific Source Inc. regarding similar federal contracts?

Government Scientific Source Inc. (GSSI) has a history of receiving federal contracts, often related to scientific equipment, laboratory supplies, and specialized components. A thorough review of GSSI's contract history within the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or other contract databases would reveal their performance on past awards. Key aspects to examine include on-time delivery rates, compliance with contract specifications, any past performance issues or disputes, and the types of agencies they have served. Understanding their experience with CBRN-related procurements or similar high-specification filter systems would be particularly relevant for assessing risk on this current contract.

What are the specific risks associated with this contract, given the 'exclusion of sources' clause?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' clause introduces potential risks. While it allows for a broad competition, the exclusion of specific sources implies that certain companies were deemed ineligible to bid. The risk lies in whether these exclusions were justified and did not unduly restrict competition, potentially leading to higher prices or less optimal solutions. If the excluded sources were capable and competitive, this could represent a missed opportunity for the government. Transparency regarding the criteria for exclusion is crucial for mitigating this risk and ensuring fair market access.

What is the historical spending trend for similar filter procurements by JPEO CBRND or related defense entities?

Analyzing historical spending trends for similar filter procurements by JPEO CBRND or related defense entities would provide valuable context. This involves querying federal procurement databases for contracts awarded over the past several years for CBRN-related filtration systems, air purification components, or specialized environmental filters. Key metrics to track would include the total annual spending, the average contract value, the number of awarded contracts, and the primary contractors. Significant fluctuations or a consistent upward trend in spending could indicate increasing demand, evolving threat landscapes, or changes in procurement strategies, all of which impact the current contract's context.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QFNA24Q0147

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12351 SUNRISE VALLEY DR, RESTON, VA, 20191

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,716,210

Exercised Options: $2,716,210

Current Obligation: $2,716,210

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QFNA20D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline