NIH awards $516K for AQUILOS 2 and Cryo Lift Service, competing under SAP

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $516,270 ($516.3K)

Contractor: FEI Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2022-04-01

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $283/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: NIDDK - AQUILOS 2 AND CRYO LIFT SERVICE AGREEMENT

Place of Performance

Location: HILLSBORO, WASHINGTON County, OREGON, 97124

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $516,270.48 to FEI COMPANY for work described as: NIDDK - AQUILOS 2 AND CRYO LIFT SERVICE AGREEMENT Key points: 1. The contract value is $516,270.48 over 5 years. 2. FEI COMPANY is the sole awardee. 3. The contract is for repair and maintenance of electronic equipment. 4. The sector is primarily IT/Healthcare support services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is a firm-fixed-price purchase order. Benchmarking against similar repair and maintenance contracts for specialized scientific equipment is difficult without more detailed service scope.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting an expectation of limited competition. This method may not yield the lowest possible price.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential maintenance of scientific equipment, but the limited competition raises questions about optimal price discovery.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation of critical research equipment for NIDDK. Supports scientific research by maintaining advanced imaging and cryo-lift systems. Potential for higher costs due to limited competition under SAP.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP
Potential for price inefficiencies

Positive Signals

Supports critical research infrastructure
Firm-fixed-price contract structure

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Other Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance NAICS code (811219). Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining specialized scientific instruments used in research institutions like NIH.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this procurement, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The use of SAP suggests a streamlined process, but oversight is needed to ensure fair pricing and adequate performance, especially given the specialized nature of the equipment.

Related Government Programs

Other Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for price inefficiency
Lack of small business participation
Reliance on a single vendor for critical maintenance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $516,270.48 to FEI COMPANY. NIDDK - AQUILOS 2 AND CRYO LIFT SERVICE AGREEMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FEI COMPANY.

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 $516,270.48.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the specific scope of services covered by the AQUILOS 2 and Cryo Lift service agreement?

The provided data does not detail the specific scope of services. It is identified as 'Other Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance.' Further investigation into the contract's statement of work would be necessary to understand the precise maintenance, calibration, and support activities included for the AQUILOS 2 and Cryo Lift systems.

How does the $516K contract value compare to similar service agreements for comparable scientific equipment?

Benchmarking this contract's value is challenging without more specific data on the equipment's age, complexity, and the service level agreements for similar systems. The limited competition under SAP also makes direct price comparisons difficult, potentially inflating the cost relative to a fully competed contract.

What is the potential impact on research timelines if this service agreement is not effectively managed or renewed?

Failure to effectively manage or renew this service agreement could lead to significant disruptions in research timelines. The AQUILOS 2 and Cryo Lift systems are likely critical for specific NIDDK research projects, and downtime due to maintenance issues or lack of support could halt or delay crucial scientific discoveries.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance › Other Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: NICHD-22-073

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Address: 5350 NE DAWSON CREEK DR, HILLSBORO, OR, 97124

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: $629,643

Exercised Options: $516,270

Current Obligation: $516,270

Actual Outlays: $347,862

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline