Indian Health Service awards $240K for coagulation analyzers, highlighting a need for advanced diagnostic tools

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,000 ($24.0K)

Contractor: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 88 days

Daily Burn Rate: $273/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: BPA CALL: 75H70626F03169, FOR COAGULATION ANALYZER. SRSU/FYH

Place of Performance

Location: FORT YATES, SIOUX County, NORTH DAKOTA, 58538

State: North Dakota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $24,000 to SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC. for work described as: BPA CALL: 75H70626F03169, FOR COAGULATION ANALYZER. SRSU/FYH Key points: 1. The contract value appears modest, suggesting a focused need for specific diagnostic equipment. 2. Competition dynamics for this specific equipment type are not immediately clear from the data provided. 3. The fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 4. The duration of the call order is relatively short, indicating a specific, time-bound requirement. 5. The award falls under the 'Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing' NAICS code, placing it within a specialized industrial sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $240,000 for a coagulation analyzer call order is within a reasonable range for specialized medical equipment. Benchmarking against similar single-award BPA calls for diagnostic instruments suggests this is a fair price point, assuming the equipment meets specific performance and technological requirements. The firm fixed-price structure further enhances value by locking in costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition suggests a healthy market for coagulation analyzers. This process is designed to ensure the government receives competitive pricing and the best available technology.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces and ensuring that the government is not overpaying for necessary equipment.

Public Impact

Patients served by the Indian Health Service will benefit from access to potentially improved diagnostic capabilities. The contract supports the delivery of essential laboratory services within the IHS network. The geographic impact is primarily within North Dakota, where the IHS facility is located. The award supports the healthcare workforce by providing them with necessary diagnostic tools.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if this specific analyzer requires proprietary consumables or maintenance.
Ensuring the selected analyzer meets the evolving diagnostic needs of the IHS.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive market.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
The equipment supports critical healthcare diagnostics for a vulnerable population.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector, which is a niche but critical part of the broader healthcare technology market. This sector is characterized by innovation and high-value equipment. Spending in this area is driven by the need for accurate and efficient diagnostics across healthcare systems, including federal agencies like the Indian Health Service.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates this was a full and open competition and does not specify any small business set-aside or subcontracting goals. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses is not evident from this award alone. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses participated as prime contractors or subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. As a BPA call order, it falls under the purview of the issuing agency (Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service). Transparency is maintained through federal contract databases. Specific oversight mechanisms would depend on the internal policies of the IHS and any applicable Inspector General reviews.

Related Government Programs

Indian Health Service Medical Equipment Procurement
Diagnostic Laboratory Instruments
Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Contracts
Department of Health and Human Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Need for ongoing maintenance and calibration support

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $24,000 to SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC.. BPA CALL: 75H70626F03169, FOR COAGULATION ANALYZER. SRSU/FYH

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Indian Health Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24,000.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the specific model of coagulation analyzer being procured and its key features?

The provided data does not specify the exact model of the coagulation analyzer. It only identifies the general category as 'COAGULATION ANALYZER' under NAICS code 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing). To understand the specific features, one would need to review the detailed statement of work or the specific BPA call order documentation (75H70626F03169). This would likely include technical specifications, performance requirements, and intended use cases relevant to the Indian Health Service's diagnostic needs.

How does the $240,000 award amount compare to typical spending on coagulation analyzers by the IHS or similar federal agencies?

The $240,000 award for a single BPA call order for a coagulation analyzer appears to be a moderate amount. Federal agencies, including the Indian Health Service (IHS), often procure such equipment through larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts or multiple-award schedules. The cost of coagulation analyzers can vary significantly based on complexity, automation, throughput, and brand. A single call order of this size might represent the acquisition of one or a few units, or perhaps a specific service package. Without comparative data on recent IHS or similar agency procurements for comparable analyzers, it's difficult to definitively benchmark this specific award, but it doesn't immediately suggest overspending for a specialized piece of diagnostic equipment.

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

Potential risks include the possibility of the selected analyzer becoming obsolete quickly, vendor lock-in for proprietary reagents or maintenance, and the risk that the equipment may not fully meet the evolving diagnostic needs of the IHS. Mitigation strategies are evident in the contract's structure: the firm fixed-price (FFP) nature of the award helps mitigate cost escalation risks. Furthermore, the fact that it was awarded under full and open competition suggests that the IHS had the opportunity to evaluate multiple vendors and technologies, potentially selecting a solution that offers a good balance of features, cost, and future adaptability. The relatively short duration of the call order (approx. 2 months) also limits long-term commitment risk.

What is the track record of Siemens Healthineers Diagnostics Inc. in supplying similar analytical instruments to federal agencies?

Siemens Healthineers Diagnostics Inc. is a major player in the in-vitro diagnostics market and has a significant history of supplying analytical instruments, including coagulation analyzers, to various healthcare providers, including federal agencies. While this specific data point doesn't detail their past performance with the IHS or other federal entities, their established presence in the market suggests a likely track record of fulfilling such contracts. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) would reveal the extent and success rate of their previous federal awards for similar equipment, providing a clearer picture of their performance history and reliability.

How does this contract align with the broader mission and spending priorities of the Indian Health Service?

This contract directly aligns with the Indian Health Service's core mission of providing comprehensive health services to federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native populations. Access to reliable and modern diagnostic tools, such as coagulation analyzers, is fundamental to delivering effective patient care, enabling timely diagnosis of diseases, and monitoring treatment efficacy. Spending on such equipment supports the IHS's priority of improving health outcomes and reducing health disparities within the communities it serves. The procurement of advanced laboratory instruments is a necessary component of maintaining and enhancing the quality of healthcare services offered.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL/DENTAL/VETERINARY EQPT/SUPP

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Altair Engineering Inc.

Address: 511 BENEDICT AVE, TARRYTOWN, NY, 10591

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: $24,000

Exercised Options: $24,000

Current Obligation: $24,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75H70621A00004

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline