EPA Awards $438K for Compact Mass Spectrometer Benches to Vprime Tech Inc, Competed Under SAP

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $43,822 ($43.8K)

Contractor: Vprime Tech Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 88 days

Daily Burn Rate: $498/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: COMPACT MASS SPECTROMETER BENCHES

Place of Performance

Location: DULUTH, SAINT LOUIS County, MINNESOTA, 55804

State: Minnesota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $43,822.46 to VPRIME TECH INC for work described as: COMPACT MASS SPECTROMETER BENCHES Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the fixed-price nature and duration, but detailed benchmarking is needed. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a potentially efficient procurement process under SAP, but limited transparency. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a fixed-price contract and clear delivery timeline. 4. Performance context is established by the specific need for analytical laboratory instruments. 5. Sector positioning is within the analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing domain.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award of $438,224.60 for COMPACT MASS SPECTROMETER BENCHES to VPRIME TECH INC by the EPA warrants a 'fair' assessment. Without specific details on the number of bids received or the benchmark pricing for similar instruments, it's challenging to definitively assess value for money. The fixed-price contract structure provides some cost certainty. However, a comparison against market rates for comparable mass spectrometer benches would be necessary for a more robust evaluation of pricing and value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a procurement process designed for smaller value purchases. While the exact number of bidders is not specified, SAP competitions typically involve fewer bidders than full and open competition. This approach can lead to faster award times but may limit the breadth of price discovery and potentially result in less competitive pricing compared to broader solicitations.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, competing under SAP means that while administrative costs may be lower, the government might not always secure the absolute lowest price achievable through wider competition.

Public Impact

Environmental protection scientists and researchers will benefit from access to new mass spectrometer benches. The services delivered include the provision of essential analytical laboratory instruments. The geographic impact is focused on Minnesota, where the instruments will likely be deployed. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily involving the installation and operation of the equipment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP could mean missed opportunities for better pricing.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess long-term value.
The specific model and capabilities of the 'COMPACT MASS SPECTROMETER BENCHES' are not detailed, hindering precise benchmarking.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Clear delivery timeline (ending June 30, 2026) ensures timely availability of equipment.
Procurement through SAP suggests an efficient process for acquiring necessary equipment.

Sector Analysis

The market for analytical laboratory instruments, including mass spectrometers, is a specialized segment within the broader scientific and industrial equipment sector. This contract fits within the manufacturing of analytical laboratory instruments. Spending in this area is driven by research and development needs, environmental monitoring, quality control, and scientific discovery across various government agencies and private industries. Benchmarking this specific award against broader trends in laboratory equipment procurement would require data on similar instrument purchases across federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information about subcontracting plans. The award to VPRIME TECH INC does not automatically imply a direct impact on the small business ecosystem unless VPRIME TECH INC itself is a small business or utilizes small business subcontractors. Further investigation into the contractor's size status and subcontracting goals would be needed to assess the impact.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Environmental Protection Agency's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are embedded in the fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified goods by a certain date. Transparency is limited due to the SAP procurement method, which typically involves less public documentation than larger, full-and-open competitions. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Monitoring Equipment
Laboratory Supplies and Services
Scientific Instruments
Analytical Services

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to SAP procurement method.
Lack of detailed technical specifications for benchmarking.
Potential for higher unit cost compared to full and open competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $43,822.46 to VPRIME TECH INC. COMPACT MASS SPECTROMETER BENCHES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VPRIME TECH INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $43,822.46.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the track record of VPRIME TECH INC in delivering similar analytical laboratory instruments to federal agencies?

Information regarding VPRIME TECH INC's specific track record in delivering 'COMPACT MASS SPECTROMETER BENCHES' or similar analytical laboratory instruments to federal agencies is not readily available within the provided data. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would be necessary to ascertain their past performance, contract history, and any reported issues or successes. Understanding their experience with similar equipment and government contracts is crucial for assessing reliability and potential risks associated with this award.

How does the awarded price of $438,224.60 compare to market rates for comparable compact mass spectrometer benches?

Directly comparing the awarded price of $438,224.60 to market rates for comparable compact mass spectrometer benches is challenging without specific technical specifications of the instruments being procured and access to current market pricing data. Mass spectrometer prices can vary significantly based on sensitivity, resolution, detector type, and included software. To perform a robust benchmark, one would need to identify instruments with similar capabilities from other manufacturers and compare their list prices or recently awarded federal contract prices for equivalent systems. The 'fair' rating suggests that a detailed comparison is warranted.

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

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential underperformance or defects in the delivered equipment, and the possibility that the price paid is not the most competitive due to the limited competition under SAP. Mitigation strategies are primarily embedded in the contract structure: the fixed-price nature shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor, and the defined delivery date (June 30, 2026) provides a clear performance expectation. The EPA's quality assurance and acceptance testing processes upon delivery would serve as further mitigation against equipment defects. However, the risk of suboptimal pricing due to limited competition remains a factor.

What is the expected effectiveness of these mass spectrometer benches in supporting the EPA's environmental monitoring or research objectives?

The effectiveness of these compact mass spectrometer benches hinges on their technical specifications meeting the EPA's specific analytical needs for environmental monitoring or research. Mass spectrometry is a powerful technique for identifying and quantifying chemical substances, crucial for tasks like detecting pollutants, analyzing environmental samples, and supporting regulatory compliance. Assuming the selected instruments are appropriate for the intended applications, they should enhance the EPA's capacity for precise chemical analysis, leading to more accurate data for environmental assessments and policy decisions. The effectiveness will ultimately be measured by the quality and utility of the data generated.

What has been the historical spending pattern for analytical laboratory instruments by the Environmental Protection Agency?

Analyzing the historical spending patterns of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for analytical laboratory instruments would reveal trends in procurement volume, types of instruments purchased, and average costs over time. This contract for mass spectrometer benches represents a specific instance within that broader spending category. Understanding historical spending can help contextualize the current award amount, identify key vendors, and assess whether this procurement aligns with or deviates from past patterns. Without access to historical EPA procurement data, it's difficult to provide specific figures, but such analysis is vital for budget planning and identifying potential cost-saving opportunities.

What is the significance of the contract being competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures)?

Competing this contract under SAP signifies that the total value was likely below the threshold for full and open competition (typically $250,000, though this can vary). SAP is designed to streamline the procurement process for smaller purchases, making it faster and less administratively burdensome. This often involves fewer documentation requirements and potentially a smaller pool of bidders. While efficient, it may limit the government's ability to achieve the lowest possible price compared to broader solicitations that attract more competition. For taxpayers, it represents a trade-off between procurement efficiency and potentially maximizing cost savings.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 68HE0B26Q0026

Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1400 BROADFIELD BLVD STE 200, HOUSTON, TX, 77084

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $43,822

Exercised Options: $43,822

Current Obligation: $43,822

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline