NIH Acquires Vizgen MERSCOPE Kits for Spatial Transcriptomics Research for $355,130
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $35,513 ($35.5K)
Contractor: Vizgen Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2026-05-06
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 55 days
Daily Burn Rate: $646/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACQUISITION IS TO OBTAIN MERSCOPE KITS AND PANELS TO PERFORM SPATIAL TRANSCRIPTOMIC EXPERIMENTS ON FRESH FROZEN OVARY TISSUE USING THE MERSCOPE PLATFORM
Place of Performance
Location: CAMBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02138
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $35,513 to VIZGEN INC for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACQUISITION IS TO OBTAIN MERSCOPE KITS AND PANELS TO PERFORM SPATIAL TRANSCRIPTOMIC EXPERIMENTS ON FRESH FROZEN OVARY TISSUE USING THE MERSCOPE PLATFORM Key points: 1. The acquisition focuses on specialized spatial transcriptomic technology for ovary tissue analysis. 2. Vizgen Inc. is the sole provider of the MERSCOPE platform, indicating potential single-source reliance. 3. The contract value is relatively low, suggesting a focused research application rather than broad deployment. 4. The primary sector is healthcare/biotechnology research, with implications for scientific advancement.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $355,130 for MERSCOPE kits and panels appears reasonable for specialized research equipment. Benchmarking is difficult without specific kit configurations and panel details, but it aligns with costs for advanced analytical instruments.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. However, the reliance on Vizgen's proprietary MERSCOPE platform likely limits the scope of competition for the specific kits and panels.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting critical scientific research, potentially leading to advancements in understanding ovarian biology and disease.
Public Impact
Supports cutting-edge biomedical research into ovarian tissue. Enables detailed spatial analysis of gene expression. Could lead to new insights into reproductive health and disease. Procurement of advanced scientific instrumentation.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 64 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential reliance on a single vendor for specialized technology.
- Limited competition due to proprietary platform.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical scientific research.
- Relatively small contract value minimizes financial risk.
Sector Analysis
This acquisition falls within the Biotechnology and Life Sciences sector, specifically focusing on advanced analytical instrumentation for research. Spending benchmarks in this area vary widely based on instrument complexity and research scope.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific provisions or considerations for small business participation in this acquisition. The focus appears to be on specialized technology from a specific vendor.
Oversight & Accountability
The procurement was conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, which have less stringent oversight requirements than larger contracts. Accountability lies with NIH to ensure fair pricing and appropriate use of funds.
Related Government Programs
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Vendor Lock-in
- Limited Competition
- Proprietary Technology Dependence
- Supply Chain Risk
Tags
analytical-laboratory-instrument-manufac, department-of-health-and-human-services, ma, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $35,513 to VIZGEN INC. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACQUISITION IS TO OBTAIN MERSCOPE KITS AND PANELS TO PERFORM SPATIAL TRANSCRIPTOMIC EXPERIMENTS ON FRESH FROZEN OVARY TISSUE USING THE MERSCOPE PLATFORM
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is VIZGEN 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 $35,513.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-05-06. End: 2026-06-30.
What is the long-term strategy for acquiring MERSCOPE consumables and potential upgrades, given Vizgen's proprietary platform?
The long-term strategy for acquiring MERSCOPE consumables and potential upgrades requires careful planning. NIH should explore options such as multi-year agreements if feasible, or actively monitor the market for potential alternative technologies or vendor developments. Proactive engagement with Vizgen regarding future product roadmaps and pricing structures will be crucial to ensure continued access and cost-effectiveness for ongoing research.
How will NIH ensure continued access to necessary MERSCOPE panels and kits if Vizgen faces supply chain disruptions or changes its product offerings?
To mitigate risks associated with supply chain disruptions or changes in Vizgen's product offerings, NIH should establish clear communication channels and contingency plans. This could involve identifying alternative research methods or platforms that can provide similar spatial transcriptomic data, even if less specialized. Maintaining open dialogue with Vizgen about their production capacity and inventory management is also essential.
What is the expected scientific return on investment for this specific acquisition in terms of research publications or potential discoveries?
The expected scientific return on investment is high, given the MERSCOPE platform's capability for high-resolution spatial transcriptomics. This technology allows for unprecedented insights into cellular interactions and tissue architecture. Successful experiments are anticipated to yield significant research publications in high-impact journals, contributing to a deeper understanding of ovarian biology and potentially identifying novel therapeutic targets for related diseases.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: MEDICAL/DENTAL/VETERINARY EQPT/SUPP
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: 61 MOULTON ST, CAMBRIDGE, MA, 02138
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $35,513
Exercised Options: $35,513
Current Obligation: $35,513
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-05-06
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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