EPA awards $17.1M for lab supplies, including ELISA kits, to Fisher Scientific

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,102 ($17.1K)

Contractor: Fisher Scientific Company L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2025-08-25

End Date: 2025-12-15

Contract Duration: 112 days

Daily Burn Rate: $153/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: LAB SUPPLIES - ELISA KITS

Place of Performance

Location: HANOVER PARK, DUPAGE County, ILLINOIS, 60133

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $17,102.4 to FISHER SCIENTIFIC COMPANY L.L.C. for work described as: LAB SUPPLIES - ELISA KITS Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized lab supplies. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a standard procurement process. 3. Risk indicators are low given the nature of the supplies. 4. Performance context is tied to ongoing EPA research needs. 5. Sector positioning is within scientific research and development support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $17.1 million for lab supplies, specifically ELISA kits, seems aligned with market rates for such specialized materials. Benchmarking against similar procurements for scientific consumables by agencies like the NIH or CDC would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests predictable costs for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a competitive process was utilized for this purchase order. While the specific number of bidders is not detailed, SAP is designed to encourage competition for procurements below certain dollar thresholds. This approach generally leads to better price discovery and value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competed award under SAP helps ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by leveraging market competition to secure favorable pricing for essential laboratory supplies.

Public Impact

Benefits EPA researchers and scientists by providing necessary diagnostic tools. Supports environmental monitoring and analysis activities. Geographic impact is primarily within EPA laboratories utilizing these supplies. Workforce implications include enabling scientists to perform critical research.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Awarded to a known supplier of laboratory equipment and consumables.
Procurement followed standard competitive procedures.

Sector Analysis

The market for laboratory supplies, including diagnostic kits like ELISA, is a significant segment within the broader scientific and healthcare industries. This contract fits within the federal government's ongoing need for research and development consumables, supporting agencies like the EPA in their environmental science missions. Spending in this category is consistent across various federal research bodies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have explicit subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned. Further analysis would be needed to determine if Fisher Scientific has a robust small business subcontracting plan in place for this award, which could impact the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

The award is a purchase order, which is a standard procurement instrument. Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the EPA. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud or mismanagement were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Protection Agency Research and Development Contracts
Laboratory Equipment and Supplies Procurement
In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions affecting delivery timelines.
Need for ongoing quality assurance of diagnostic kits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $17,102.4 to FISHER SCIENTIFIC COMPANY L.L.C.. LAB SUPPLIES - ELISA KITS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FISHER SCIENTIFIC COMPANY L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17,102.4.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-25. End: 2025-12-15.

What is the historical spending pattern for lab supplies, specifically ELISA kits, by the EPA?

Analyzing historical spending data for the EPA reveals a consistent need for laboratory supplies, including diagnostic kits. While specific figures for ELISA kits alone are not readily available without deeper data dives, the agency's overall expenditure on scientific consumables has remained substantial to support its environmental research and regulatory functions. For instance, in fiscal years prior to this award, the EPA has allocated significant portions of its budget towards laboratory operations, which inherently include reagents, testing kits, and other essential supplies. This $17.1 million award for a defined period suggests a planned procurement to meet ongoing or anticipated research demands, aligning with previous spending trends for such critical materials. Understanding the volume and frequency of past purchases would provide further context on the necessity and scale of this current award.

How does the pricing of these ELISA kits compare to market rates from other federal agencies?

Direct comparison of pricing for these specific ELISA kits across federal agencies is challenging without access to detailed pricing lists and volume discounts negotiated by each agency. However, the fact that this contract was competed under SAP suggests that the EPA sought competitive bids to ensure reasonable pricing. Generally, large federal agencies like the NIH or CDC, which also procure significant quantities of laboratory supplies, may have established master agreements or leverage larger volumes to negotiate potentially lower unit costs. Fisher Scientific is a major supplier, and their pricing can vary based on contract vehicles and quantities. A thorough benchmark would involve comparing unit prices for identical or comparable kits against recent awards made by other agencies to similar entities, considering factors like delivery timelines and contract duration.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the EPA?

The primary risks associated with this contract are relatively low, given the nature of the goods procured. Potential risks include supply chain disruptions that could delay the delivery of critical lab supplies, impacting research timelines. There's also a minor risk of product obsolescence or changes in technology rendering specific kits less effective, although this is mitigated by the relatively short contract duration (ending December 2025). Ensuring the quality and efficacy of the ELISA kits is paramount; therefore, robust quality assurance processes from the supplier and potentially incoming inspection by the EPA are important. Lastly, reliance on a single supplier, even if competitively selected, carries some risk if unforeseen issues arise with Fisher Scientific's ability to fulfill the order.

What is the expected impact of these supplies on EPA's environmental research effectiveness?

The timely availability of high-quality ELISA kits and other lab supplies is crucial for the effectiveness of the EPA's environmental research. These kits are likely used for detecting and quantifying specific substances, such as pollutants, contaminants, or biological markers, in various environmental samples (water, soil, air). Reliable diagnostic tools enable researchers to generate accurate and reproducible data, which is fundamental for assessing environmental conditions, understanding ecological impacts, and developing effective mitigation strategies. Consistent access to these supplies ensures that research projects can proceed without interruption, supporting the EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment through science-based decision-making.

Has Fisher Scientific had any past performance issues with the EPA or other federal agencies for similar supplies?

Fisher Scientific Company L.L.C. is a large, established supplier of laboratory products and services, and it is common for such vendors to hold numerous contracts across various federal agencies. Without specific contract performance data or past performance reviews linked to this particular award or similar supply categories, it's difficult to definitively assess their track record. Generally, agencies conduct past performance evaluations as part of the source selection process for significant procurements. For a purchase order under SAP, the evaluation might be less formal but still considers the vendor's ability to meet requirements. A review of federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov) and CPARS (Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System) would be necessary to identify any documented performance issues, disputes, or significant positive feedback related to Fisher Scientific's past federal contracts.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing › In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 68HE0B25Q0103

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 300 INDUSTRY DR, PITTSBURGH, PA, 15275

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,102

Exercised Options: $17,102

Current Obligation: $17,102

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline