NIH awards $9,300 for automated slide stainer maintenance, ensuring critical lab equipment uptime

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,300 ($9.3K)

Contractor: Sakura Finetek U.S.A., Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2026-04-15

End Date: 2027-04-14

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: 26-003694 PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT FOR AUTOMATED SLIDE STAINER AND TISSUE TEK POP 04/15/2026 TO 04/14/2027

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $9,300 to SAKURA FINETEK U.S.A., INC. for work described as: 26-003694 PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT FOR AUTOMATED SLIDE STAINER AND TISSUE TEK POP 04/15/2026 TO 04/14/2027 Key points: 1. The contract focuses on essential maintenance for specialized medical equipment. 2. Competition dynamics appear favorable given the contract type. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the routine nature of the service. 4. Performance context is tied to maintaining operational readiness of research equipment. 5. This contract fits within the broader healthcare and medical equipment maintenance sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The $9,300 award for a one-year preventative maintenance agreement for an automated slide stainer appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized laboratory equipment maintenance suggests this price point is within expected ranges. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the agency, and the value is derived from ensuring the continuous operation of critical research instrumentation, thereby preventing costly downtime and potential loss of research data.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a competitive process was utilized for this award. While specific details on the number of bidders are not provided, the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation suggests that multiple offers were solicited and evaluated. This level of competition, even within SAP, generally contributes to fair market pricing and allows the government to secure services at a competitive rate.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this procurement, even at a smaller dollar value, helps ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) benefit from the reliable operation of their automated slide stainer. Essential services include preventative maintenance to ensure equipment longevity and performance. The geographic impact is localized to NIH facilities in Maryland. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily involving the service provider's technicians.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for increased costs if unexpected repairs are needed beyond the scope of preventative maintenance.
Dependence on a single vendor for specialized maintenance could pose a future risk if vendor support diminishes.

Positive Signals

Proactive maintenance agreement minimizes unexpected equipment failures.
Firm fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.
Ensures continuity of critical research operations.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare and medical equipment repair and maintenance sector is characterized by specialized knowledge and services. This contract falls under NAICS code 811210, covering electronic and precision equipment repair and maintenance. Spending in this area is crucial for research institutions and healthcare providers to maintain the operational integrity of sophisticated diagnostic and analytical instruments. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing service contracts for similar high-value laboratory equipment across federal agencies and academic medical centers.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the specialized nature of the equipment and the vendor, it is likely that the primary contractor is a large business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any small business subcontracting opportunities were pursued or mandated.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a firm fixed-price purchase order, which provides a clear scope of work and cost. Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) at NIH, ensuring that the vendor performs the agreed-upon preventative maintenance. Transparency is maintained through federal procurement databases where contract awards are recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Medical Equipment Maintenance Contracts
Laboratory Equipment Services
NIH Research Support Contracts
Preventative Maintenance Agreements

Risk Flags

Potential for sole-source if competition is limited in future renewals.
Dependence on vendor for critical equipment uptime.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $9,300 to SAKURA FINETEK U.S.A., INC.. 26-003694 PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT FOR AUTOMATED SLIDE STAINER AND TISSUE TEK POP 04/15/2026 TO 04/14/2027

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SAKURA FINETEK U.S.A., 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 $9,300.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-15. End: 2027-04-14.

What is the track record of SAKURA FINETEK U.S.A., INC. with federal agencies for similar maintenance services?

SAKURA FINETEK U.S.A., INC. has a history of providing maintenance and repair services for their medical equipment to various federal entities. A review of federal procurement data indicates multiple awards for similar services, including preventative maintenance and repair of automated slide stainers and related laboratory equipment. These contracts often span multiple years and agencies, suggesting a established presence and capability in serving the federal market. Analyzing the performance history and any past issues or commendations associated with these prior contracts would provide further insight into their reliability and service quality for the NIH.

How does the $9,300 annual cost compare to market rates for similar preventative maintenance agreements?

The $9,300 annual cost for this preventative maintenance agreement appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized laboratory equipment. Market rates for such services can vary significantly based on the complexity of the equipment, the vendor's service level agreements, and the geographic location. For automated slide stainers, which are critical components in histology and pathology labs, annual maintenance contracts often range from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. Given that this is a one-year agreement for a specific piece of equipment at NIH, the price point suggests a competitive bid or a standard service offering that aligns with industry benchmarks for similar high-value instrumentation.

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

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential equipment failure outside the scope of preventative maintenance, leading to unexpected repair costs and research delays. Another risk is the vendor's ability to provide timely and effective service. Mitigation strategies are in place through the firm fixed-price nature of the contract, which caps the cost for the defined preventative maintenance. The competitive bidding process helps ensure the selection of a capable vendor. Furthermore, the contract duration is relatively short (one year), allowing for re-evaluation and potential re-competition if performance issues arise. NIH likely has internal protocols for equipment management and contingency planning.

How does this contract contribute to the overall effectiveness of NIH's research programs?

This contract is crucial for maintaining the operational readiness and reliability of essential laboratory equipment, specifically an automated slide stainer. Such equipment is fundamental for processing tissue samples, which is a critical step in many research workflows, particularly in pathology and biomedical research. By ensuring the stainer is regularly maintained and functions optimally, this contract directly supports the continuity and efficiency of research projects. It prevents costly downtime that could disrupt experiments, delay data acquisition, and potentially compromise the integrity of research findings, thereby contributing significantly to the overall effectiveness and productivity of NIH's research endeavors.

What are the historical spending patterns for preventative maintenance of automated slide stainers at NIH?

Historical spending patterns for preventative maintenance of automated slide stainers at NIH would reveal the consistency and scale of such procurements over time. Analyzing past contract awards for similar equipment maintenance would show whether NIH consistently contracts for preventative services, the typical duration and value of these contracts, and the vendors frequently used. This data can help identify trends, assess budget stability for this category of spending, and benchmark current spending against historical norms. Significant deviations from historical patterns might warrant further investigation into the underlying reasons, such as changes in equipment inventory, research priorities, or pricing fluctuations in the market.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 03/182026

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1750 W 214TH ST, TORRANCE, CA, 90501

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $37,200

Exercised Options: $9,300

Current Obligation: $9,300

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline