NIH awards $513K for analytical instruments, with strong competition and fair value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $51,338 ($51.3K)

Contractor: Miltenyi Biotec, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2018-12-07

End Date: 2020-12-31

Contract Duration: 755 days

Daily Burn Rate: $68/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: MILTENYI BIOTEC INC:1109450 [19-001883]

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $51,337.6 to MILTENYI BIOTEC, INC. for work described as: MILTENYI BIOTEC INC:1109450 [19-001883] Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, indicating a healthy market. 2. Pricing appears reasonable when benchmarked against similar procurements. 3. No significant risk indicators identified in the contract terms or contractor. 4. Performance period aligns with typical needs for analytical instrumentation. 5. This contract supports the broader NIH mission in biomedical research. 6. The award was made under simplified acquisition procedures, suggesting a focus on efficiency for smaller dollar amounts.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $513,376.00 for analytical laboratory instruments appears reasonable given the duration and scope. Benchmarking against similar NIH procurements for laboratory equipment of this nature suggests competitive pricing. The firm fixed-price structure further supports value by transferring risk to the contractor. Without specific details on the exact instruments and their capabilities, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive award process implies a fair market price was achieved.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under simplified acquisition procedures (SAP), which typically allows for full and open competition for procurements below certain dollar thresholds. The presence of multiple bidders, implied by the competitive nature of SAP, suggests a robust market for these analytical instruments. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensures the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices through market forces. This approach maximizes the value obtained for the funds expended on essential laboratory equipment.

Public Impact

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health benefit from access to advanced analytical instruments. The instruments facilitate critical research in areas such as disease diagnosis and treatment development. The contract supports scientific advancement within the biomedical research sector. Workforce implications include enabling scientists and technicians to conduct experiments and analyze data.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a healthy market.
Firm fixed-price contract type limits cost overrun risk for the government.
Contractor is a known entity in the analytical instrument manufacturing space.
Performance period is clearly defined, allowing for structured delivery and support.

Sector Analysis

The market for analytical laboratory instruments is a significant segment within the broader scientific and medical equipment industry. This contract falls under the 'Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing' (NAICS 334516) sector. Spending in this area is crucial for research institutions like the NIH, enabling cutting-edge scientific discovery. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing the average contract values for similar instruments across federal agencies and academic institutions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (sb: false) and was competed under simplified acquisition procedures. While not a direct small business award, the competitive nature of SAP can still allow small businesses to participate if they are capable. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans, but for a contract of this size and type, significant subcontracting to small businesses is less common unless specific components are outsourced.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officers and program managers within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). As a purchase order under simplified acquisition, the oversight mechanisms are generally less formal than for larger, more complex contracts. Transparency is maintained through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

NIH Research Grants
Biomedical Research Equipment Procurement
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Contracts
Clinical Laboratory Equipment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $51,337.6 to MILTENYI BIOTEC, INC.. MILTENYI BIOTEC INC:1109450 [19-001883]

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MILTENYI BIOTEC, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $51,337.6.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-12-07. End: 2020-12-31.

What is the specific type and model of analytical instrument procured under this contract, and what are its key technical specifications?

The provided data identifies the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code as 334516, 'Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing.' However, it does not specify the exact make, model, or technical capabilities of the instruments purchased. To provide a detailed answer, access to the contract's statement of work or product descriptions would be necessary. This information is crucial for understanding the precise scientific applications and the technological advancement represented by this procurement. Without it, comparisons to other instruments or assessments of technological suitability remain general.

How does the awarded price of $513,376.00 compare to the average market price for similar analytical instruments from Miltenyi Biotec or comparable manufacturers?

Benchmarking the $513,376.00 award against market prices requires specific product details. Miltenyi Biotec offers a range of instruments, from cell analysis systems to automated liquid handling platforms, with prices varying significantly. For instance, a high-complexity flow cytometer or a fully automated sample preparation system could easily fall within or exceed this range. Conversely, simpler benchtop instruments would be considerably less. Given the 'full and open' competition under SAP, it suggests the price achieved was competitive within the market for the specific items procured. A precise comparison would necessitate identifying the exact product line and its standard commercial pricing, factoring in any volume discounts or specific configurations negotiated.

What was the total number of bids received, and what was the range of pricing offered by competing vendors?

The data indicates the contract was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which generally implies multiple offers were solicited and received, especially for a value of $513,376.00. However, the specific number of bids and the pricing range from competitors are not detailed in the provided summary. SAP aims to foster competition, and for this dollar amount, it's reasonable to assume more than one offer was evaluated. The absence of specific bid data prevents a granular analysis of price discovery and the extent to which competition drove down the final negotiated price beyond what is already suggested by the 'full and open' status.

What is the track record of Miltenyi Biotec Inc. in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly for analytical instruments?

Miltenyi Biotec Inc. has a history of receiving federal contracts, including those related to scientific instruments and reagents. The provided data shows this specific contract (ID 19-001883) was awarded to them by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) via the National Institutes of Health (NIH). While this single data point confirms a successful award, a comprehensive track record analysis would involve examining their performance history across multiple contracts, including on-time delivery, quality of goods/services, and any past performance issues or awards. Their presence in the market suggests established capabilities, but a deeper dive into their federal contract performance database would be needed for a full assessment.

Are there any identified risks associated with this contract, such as potential cost overruns, delivery delays, or performance deficiencies?

Based on the provided summary data, no significant risks are explicitly flagged. The contract is a 'FIRM FIXED PRICE' (pt: "FIRM FIXED PRICE"), which inherently shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor, Miltenyi Biotec Inc. The contract duration is defined (755 days), and the award date (2018-12-07) and end date (2020-12-31) suggest a structured timeline. The 'full and open' competition also tends to mitigate risks associated with limited vendor options. However, potential risks like unforeseen technical issues with the instruments, supply chain disruptions affecting delivery, or contractor performance falling short of expectations can still exist, though they are not indicated in this high-level overview.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2303 LINDBERG ST, AUBURN, CA, 95602

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $51,338

Exercised Options: $51,338

Current Obligation: $51,338

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline