NIH awards $396K for BD Fortessa Cytometer maintenance, ensuring critical research operations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $39,648 ($39.6K)

Contractor: Becton, Dickinson and Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2026-04-16

End Date: 2027-04-15

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $109/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: THE PULMONARY CRITICAL CARE BRANCH IN NHLBI IS REQUESTING SERVICES FOR CONTINUED OPERATION OF A BD FORTESSA CYTOMETER (SERIAL NO.: H647794L5026). THE CYTOMETER PROVIDES STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY TO ASSESS FLUORESCENT PROBES THAT CAN BE ANALYZED AN

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $39,647.88 to BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY for work described as: THE PULMONARY CRITICAL CARE BRANCH IN NHLBI IS REQUESTING SERVICES FOR CONTINUED OPERATION OF A BD FORTESSA CYTOMETER (SERIAL NO.: H647794L5026). THE CYTOMETER PROVIDES STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY TO ASSESS FLUORESCENT PROBES THAT CAN BE ANALYZED AN Key points: 1. Contract supports essential research infrastructure for the Pulmonary Critical Care Branch. 2. Focus on maintaining advanced cytometer technology for fluorescent probe analysis. 3. Long-term operational support ensures continuity of high-impact scientific studies. 4. Fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the agency. 5. Single award indicates a specific need for manufacturer-supported services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $396,478 for a 364-day period appears reasonable for specialized analytical instrument maintenance. Benchmarking against similar service contracts for high-end scientific equipment suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The firm fixed-price nature of the award helps control costs and provides predictability for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a competitive process was utilized for this purchase. While the specific number of bidders is not detailed, SAP is designed to encourage competition among qualified vendors for procurements below certain thresholds. The competitive nature, even under SAP, should contribute to fair market pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of competitive procedures, even for smaller procurements, helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently and that the government receives good value for its investment in critical research equipment.

Public Impact

Researchers at the Pulmonary Critical Care Branch of NHLBI benefit from uninterrupted access to advanced cytometer technology. Services delivered include maintenance and continued operation of a BD Fortessa Cytometer. The geographic impact is primarily within the NIH research facilities in Maryland. Workforce implications include support for scientific staff who rely on this equipment for their research.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge is required for maintenance.
Reliance on a single manufacturer for critical component replacement could lead to higher costs over time.

Positive Signals

Ensures continuity of critical research operations, preventing delays in scientific discovery.
Maintains state-of-the-art technology, supporting high-quality scientific output.
Firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector, specifically focusing on the maintenance and support of advanced scientific equipment. The market for such specialized instruments and their associated services is driven by research institutions and government agencies. Spending in this area is crucial for advancing scientific understanding and technological development, with comparable contracts often involving high-value, specialized equipment requiring manufacturer expertise.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was competed under SAP and awarded as a Purchase Order. There is no explicit mention of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. Given the specialized nature of maintaining advanced scientific instrumentation, it is possible that larger, established manufacturers or their authorized service providers are the primary participants in such competitions.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of the Department of Health and Human Services. Oversight would typically involve program managers ensuring service delivery meets the terms of the purchase order and performance standards. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud or mismanagement.

Related Government Programs

NHLBI Research Support Contracts
NIH Equipment Maintenance Services
Cytometer and Flow Cytometry Services
Federal Laboratory Scientific Equipment Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Reliance on single manufacturer for parts/service

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $39,647.88 to BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY. THE PULMONARY CRITICAL CARE BRANCH IN NHLBI IS REQUESTING SERVICES FOR CONTINUED OPERATION OF A BD FORTESSA CYTOMETER (SERIAL NO.: H647794L5026). THE CYTOMETER PROVIDES STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY TO ASSESS FLUORESCENT PROBES THAT CAN BE ANALYZED AN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BECTON, DICKINSON AND 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 $39,647.88.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-16. End: 2027-04-15.

What is the track record of Becton, Dickinson and Company in providing maintenance for BD Fortessa Cytometers to federal agencies?

Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) is a major global medical technology company known for its extensive portfolio of diagnostic and research instruments, including cytometers like the BD Fortessa. Federal agencies, particularly those in health and biomedical research such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), frequently procure BD instruments and services. BD has a well-established track record of providing maintenance, calibration, and repair services for its sophisticated equipment. Their support often includes service contracts that cover preventative maintenance, emergency repairs, and software updates, ensuring the optimal performance and longevity of these critical research tools. Publicly available contract databases often show numerous awards to BD for similar services across various federal departments, indicating a consistent and recognized capability in supporting government research infrastructure.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar maintenance agreements for advanced cytometers?

The contract value of approximately $396,478 for a 364-day period for the maintenance of a BD Fortessa Cytometer is within a reasonable range for specialized scientific equipment. Advanced cytometers are complex instruments requiring expert technical support, often from the original manufacturer, to ensure accuracy and reliability. Similar service contracts for high-end research equipment from other leading manufacturers (e.g., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Illumina) can range from tens of thousands to over a hundred thousand dollars annually, depending on the level of service, included parts, and response times. Given the BD Fortessa's capabilities and the firm fixed-price nature of this award, the cost appears to be a fair reflection of the specialized maintenance required to keep such a critical research asset operational.

What are the primary risks associated with relying on a single vendor for the maintenance of this critical research instrument?

The primary risks associated with relying on a single vendor, in this case, Becton, Dickinson and Company, for the maintenance of the BD Fortessa Cytometer include potential vendor lock-in, price escalation, and service disruptions. Vendor lock-in can occur if the instrument's design or proprietary software requires specialized knowledge or tools exclusively held by the manufacturer, limiting the ability to seek competitive bids for maintenance. Over time, the vendor may increase prices for service contracts or parts, knowing that the agency has limited alternatives. Furthermore, service disruptions could arise if the vendor experiences internal issues, supply chain problems for parts, or prioritizes other clients, potentially impacting the research continuity at NIH. Mitigating these risks often involves negotiating multi-year contracts with price caps, ensuring clear service level agreements (SLAs), and maintaining open communication channels with the vendor.

How effective is the BD Fortessa Cytometer in supporting cutting-edge research in pulmonary critical care?

The BD Fortessa Cytometer is a highly advanced flow cytometry instrument widely recognized for its capabilities in supporting cutting-edge research across various biomedical fields, including pulmonary critical care. Its multi-parameter analysis allows researchers to simultaneously measure numerous cellular characteristics (e.g., cell surface markers, intracellular proteins, DNA content) from a single sample. This enables detailed phenotyping and functional analysis of immune cells, lung cells, and other critical populations relevant to respiratory diseases, inflammation, and infection. The instrument's sensitivity, resolution, and flexibility in configuration make it suitable for complex experimental designs, such as identifying rare cell subsets, analyzing cytokine production, or assessing cellular responses to therapeutic interventions. Its continued operation, supported by this contract, is therefore crucial for advancing the understanding and treatment of pulmonary critical care conditions.

What has been the historical spending pattern for maintaining BD Fortessa Cytometers at NIH?

Historical spending patterns for maintaining BD Fortessa Cytometers at NIH would likely show consistent investment in these high-value instruments due to their critical role in research. While specific figures for this exact contract are provided, broader trends indicate that agencies like NIH allocate significant budgets for the upkeep of advanced scientific equipment. This often involves multi-year service contracts with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like BD. Spending can fluctuate based on the age of the instruments, the complexity of the required maintenance, and the specific research needs driving instrument utilization. It's common for agencies to renew or re-compete maintenance contracts as existing ones expire, reflecting an ongoing commitment to ensuring the operational readiness of such essential research tools. Analyzing past awards for similar BD instruments at NIH would provide a clearer picture of the long-term investment in this technology.

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

Parent Company: Becton, Dickinson and CO

Address: 2350 QUME DR, SAN JOSE, CA, 95131

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: $118,944

Exercised Options: $39,648

Current Obligation: $39,648

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline