EPA Spends $46.6K on XRF Analyzer for Environmental Labs, Awarded via Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $46,643 ($46.6K)

Contractor: Government Scientific Source Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2025-04-17

End Date: 2027-04-16

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $64/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PURCHASE NITON XL5 PLUS ENVIRONMENTAL AND MINING XRF ANALYZER.

Place of Performance

Location: DENVER, JEFFERSON County, COLORADO, 80225

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $46,642.79 to GOVERNMENT SCIENTIFIC SOURCE INC for work described as: PURCHASE NITON XL5 PLUS ENVIRONMENTAL AND MINING XRF ANALYZER. Key points: 1. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) procured an XRF analyzer for $46,642.79. 2. The purchase was made through a full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract is a delivery order under a larger agreement, suggesting potential for future purchases. 4. The analyzer is for environmental and mining applications, aligning with the EPA's mission.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The price of $46,642.79 for the NITON XL5 PLUS XRF Analyzer appears reasonable given its specialized nature and application in environmental analysis. Benchmarking against similar high-end XRF instruments suggests this price falls within the expected range for advanced analytical equipment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically drives competitive pricing and ensures the government receives fair market value. The use of a delivery order under an existing agreement suggests a pre-established framework for procurement, potentially streamlining the process while still allowing for competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is expected to have resulted in a fair price, minimizing unnecessary taxpayer expenditure for this essential analytical equipment.

Public Impact

Enhances EPA's analytical capabilities for environmental monitoring and compliance. Supports research and testing related to mining impacts and pollution. Ensures accurate data collection for environmental protection initiatives. Provides a tool for identifying hazardous materials and elements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 64 / 10

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Clear application aligned with agency mission.
Delivery order under existing contract.

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls within the 'Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing' sector. Spending benchmarks for specialized scientific equipment can vary widely, but this purchase appears to be a targeted investment for specific analytical needs rather than a broad-based technology acquisition.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this specific delivery order. However, the primary awardee, Government Scientific Source Inc., is a reseller, and their supply chain may include small business manufacturers or distributors.

Oversight & Accountability

The award is a delivery order under a larger contract, implying that initial oversight and vetting of the contract vehicle have already occurred. Further oversight would focus on the proper utilization and maintenance of the instrument by the EPA.

Related Government Programs

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
Environmental Protection Agency Contracting
Environmental Protection Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for unstated ongoing maintenance/calibration costs.
Need to confirm specific performance advantages over alternatives.
Integration into existing EPA data systems requires planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $46,642.79 to GOVERNMENT SCIENTIFIC SOURCE INC. PURCHASE NITON XL5 PLUS ENVIRONMENTAL AND MINING XRF ANALYZER.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GOVERNMENT SCIENTIFIC SOURCE INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $46,642.79.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-17. End: 2027-04-16.

What is the specific performance difference between the NITON XL5 PLUS and other comparable XRF analyzers that justifies its selection?

The NITON XL5 PLUS is known for its advanced detection limits, speed, and ruggedness, making it suitable for demanding field and laboratory environments. Its specific advantages might include superior elemental analysis capabilities for certain matrices, enhanced user interface, or specialized software for environmental and mining applications, justifying its selection over less capable or less robust alternatives.

Are there any ongoing maintenance or calibration costs associated with the NITON XL5 PLUS that were not included in the initial purchase price?

While the initial purchase price covers the instrument itself, ongoing maintenance, calibration, and potential software updates are common for sophisticated analytical equipment. These costs are typically budgeted separately and may be covered by service contracts or internal maintenance programs. It's crucial to assess if such provisions are in place to ensure the analyzer's long-term accuracy and operational readiness.

How will the data generated by this XRF analyzer be integrated into the EPA's broader environmental data management systems?

The integration process would likely involve ensuring compatibility between the analyzer's data output format and the EPA's existing laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or data repositories. This may require specific software configurations or middleware to facilitate seamless data transfer, enabling efficient analysis, reporting, and long-term archival of environmental monitoring results.

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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12355 SUNRISE VALLEY DR STE 400, RESTON, VA, 20191

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $46,643

Exercised Options: $46,643

Current Obligation: $46,643

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07F5934R

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline