NIH Awards $222K for Autogen Flex STARR Repair, Lacking Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,248 ($22.2K)

Contractor: Autogen Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2027-04-09

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $61/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SERVICE AGREEMENT ON AUTOGEN FLEX STARR SERIAL NUMBER 485017

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $22,248 to AUTOGEN INC. for work described as: SERVICE AGREEMENT ON AUTOGEN FLEX STARR SERIAL NUMBER 485017 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to AUTOGEN INC. for electronic equipment repair. 2. Significant portion of spending is on maintenance and repair services. 3. Lack of competition raises concerns about price discovery. 4. The contract is for a 1-year duration with a firm fixed price. 5. Geographic location is Maryland.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $222,480 for a 1-year service agreement appears reasonable for specialized equipment repair. However, without competitive bidding, it's difficult to definitively assess if this represents the best value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. This approach can lead to higher prices as there is no market pressure to offer the most competitive rate.

Taxpayer Impact: Without competitive pricing, taxpayers may be paying more than necessary for these repair services.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation of critical NIH research equipment. Supports specialized repair services for sensitive electronic components. Potential for increased costs due to lack of competitive bidding.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 61 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for overpayment

Positive Signals

Essential service for research continuity
Firm fixed price contract limits cost overrun risk

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT and Healthcare sectors, specifically for the repair and maintenance of electronic equipment. Benchmarks for similar repair services can vary widely based on equipment complexity and vendor.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this procurement, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business set-aside goals were considered.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made via a purchase order, which is a standard procurement instrument. Oversight would focus on ensuring the services rendered meet the contract's specifications and that the price remains fair.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for inflated pricing
Vendor dependency
Limited transparency in price determination

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $22,248 to AUTOGEN INC.. SERVICE AGREEMENT ON AUTOGEN FLEX STARR SERIAL NUMBER 485017

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AUTOGEN 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 $22,248.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2027-04-09.

What is the justification for not competing this service agreement, and what is the estimated cost savings if it were competed?

The justification for not competing this service agreement is not provided in the data. Typically, sole-source awards are made when only one vendor can provide the required service due to proprietary technology, unique expertise, or urgent need. Estimating cost savings from competition requires market research and comparison with similar services, which is not possible with the current data.

What are the specific risks associated with relying on a single vendor for critical equipment repair, and how are these risks mitigated?

The primary risks include potential price gouging, lack of service innovation, and vendor lock-in. Mitigation strategies could involve negotiating longer-term contracts with price caps, requiring vendor performance metrics, and actively seeking alternative solutions or developing in-house capabilities over time.

How does the firm fixed price structure impact the government's ability to ensure value for money in this non-competed contract?

A firm fixed price provides cost certainty for the government, protecting against cost overruns. However, in a non-competed scenario, it does not inherently guarantee value for money, as the price is set without competitive pressure. The government must still ensure the price is fair and reasonable through independent cost analysis or historical data.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 84 OCTOBER HILL RD, HOLLISTON, MA, 01746

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,248

Exercised Options: $22,248

Current Obligation: $22,248

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline