HHS Awards $175K for Mesa Labs Viewpoint PRO Sensor/Humidity KIT to Mesa Laboratories Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,514 ($17.5K)

Contractor: Mesa Laboratories Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-05-01

Contract Duration: 28 days

Daily Burn Rate: $626/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: MESA LABS VIEWPOINT PRO SENSOR/ HUMIDITY KIT

Place of Performance

Location: LAKEWOOD, JEFFERSON County, COLORADO, 80228

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $17,514 to MESA LABORATORIES INC for work described as: MESA LABS VIEWPOINT PRO SENSOR/ HUMIDITY KIT Key points: 1. The contract is for a specific laboratory instrument, the Viewpoint Pro Sensor/Humidity Kit. 2. Mesa Laboratories Inc. is the sole awardee, indicating a potential lack of broad competition. 3. The award is a Purchase Order, suggesting a straightforward procurement process. 4. The contract duration is short, spanning only 28 days. 5. The total award amount is $175,140.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $175,140 for a humidity kit and sensor appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized laboratory equipment. However, without specific feature comparisons or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise valuation against similar contracts is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), and the award type is a Purchase Order. This suggests the procurement may have been limited due to specific vendor capabilities or a non-competitive justification, potentially impacting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The $175,140 awarded to Mesa Laboratories Inc. represents taxpayer funds used for essential public health monitoring equipment. The lack of broad competition could mean taxpayers did not benefit from the lowest possible price.

Public Impact

Ensures availability of critical environmental monitoring tools for public health laboratories. Supports the operational needs of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The procurement of specialized equipment is vital for accurate scientific data collection. Potential for increased costs due to limited competition impacts overall resource allocation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 62 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition
Short contract duration
Potential for higher cost due to sole-source nature

Positive Signals

Procurement of essential scientific equipment
Supports CDC's mission
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls under the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector. Spending in this sector is driven by research, development, and quality control needs across various government agencies, particularly in health and scientific research.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this award was not set aside for small businesses and was awarded to Mesa Laboratories Inc., a specific company. There is no indication of small business participation in this particular contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The award is a Purchase Order, which typically involves less extensive oversight than larger, more complex contracts. However, the CDC is responsible for ensuring the equipment meets specifications and the vendor fulfills the order accurately.

Related Government Programs

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for sole-source pricing
Short contract duration requires timely follow-on
Lack of small business participation noted

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $17,514 to MESA LABORATORIES INC. MESA LABS VIEWPOINT PRO SENSOR/ HUMIDITY KIT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MESA LABORATORIES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17,514.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-05-01.

What specific features or unique capabilities of the MESA LABS VIEWPOINT PRO SENSOR/HUMIDITY KIT justify the limited competition and the $175,140 award amount?

The justification for limited competition and the award amount likely stems from the specialized nature of the Viewpoint Pro Sensor/Humidity Kit, potentially requiring specific calibration, integration with existing CDC systems, or unique performance metrics not readily available from other manufacturers. Further details on technical specifications and market research would clarify if these unique attributes justify the price and lack of broader bidding.

What is the potential risk to the CDC's operations if this specific sensor/humidity kit fails or is unavailable beyond the contract period?

The primary risk is operational disruption for the CDC's analytical laboratories. If this kit is critical for environmental monitoring or sample integrity, its failure or unavailability could halt specific research, compromise data accuracy, or delay public health assessments. The short contract duration also necessitates timely re-procurement or contingency planning to avoid gaps in essential monitoring capabilities.

How effectively does this procurement support the CDC's overall mission of disease prevention and public health surveillance?

This procurement directly supports the CDC's mission by providing essential tools for environmental monitoring within laboratory settings. Accurate humidity and environmental data are crucial for maintaining the integrity of samples, ensuring the reliability of experiments, and ultimately contributing to effective disease surveillance and prevention efforts. The value lies in enabling precise scientific work.

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 UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12100, WEST SIXTH AVENUE, LAKEWOOD, CO, 80228

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: $17,514

Exercised Options: $17,514

Current Obligation: $17,514

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline