HHS awards $16.1K for confocal miniprobe, a specialized medical device, with limited competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,101 ($16.1K)

Contractor: Mauna KEA Technologies, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 173 days

Daily Burn Rate: $93/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: ALVEOFLEX N CONFOCAL MINIPROBE MAUNA KEA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.:1206754 [26-004238]

Place of Performance

Location: ALLSTON, SUFFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02134

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $16,100.5 to MAUNA KEA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: ALVEOFLEX N CONFOCAL MINIPROBE MAUNA KEA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.:1206754 [26-004238] Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focused procurement for a specific need. 2. Limited competition raises questions about potential price overruns and the best value achieved. 3. The short performance period indicates a need for immediate or short-term access to the equipment. 4. The procurement falls under the Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing NAICS code. 5. The award was made via a Purchase Order, a common mechanism for smaller value acquisitions.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $16,100.50 is modest. Without comparable contract data for this specific confocal miniprobe, it is difficult to definitively assess value for money. The 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation suggests it was procured through simplified acquisition procedures, which may not always yield the most competitive pricing. Further analysis would require benchmarking against similar specialized medical devices or previous procurements by NIH.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a potential limitation in the competitive process. While the specific reasons for this limitation are not detailed, it suggests that full and open competition may not have been feasible or pursued. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation implies a restricted solicitation process.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition can mean a higher price than might be achieved through a broader bidding process, potentially leading to less efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are the primary beneficiaries, gaining access to advanced imaging technology. The miniprobe is likely used for advanced biomedical research, potentially in areas like cell biology or disease diagnostics. The geographic impact is localized to the NIH research facilities where the equipment will be deployed. The contract supports the biomedical research workforce by providing essential tools for scientific inquiry.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of full and open competition may have resulted in a higher price.
Limited data on the specific performance requirements and how they were met.
The short duration of the contract might indicate a pilot or temporary need, raising questions about long-term strategy.

Positive Signals

Procurement through a Purchase Order is a streamlined process for acquiring necessary goods.
The award supports critical biomedical research at a leading government institution.
The contract is for a specialized piece of equipment, indicating a targeted and precise need.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing sector. This industry is characterized by the development and production of sophisticated medical devices used for diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment. Spending in this sector is driven by healthcare advancements, research funding, and the need for cutting-edge diagnostic tools in both clinical and research settings. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing procurements of similar specialized imaging or diagnostic equipment by federal health agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract details do not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting requirements. Given the small value and specialized nature of the equipment, it is unlikely to have significant implications for the broader small business ecosystem unless the prime contractor itself is a small business utilizing this as a vehicle for a larger contract.

Oversight & Accountability

As a Purchase Order issued under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, oversight is typically managed through internal agency procurement controls and contract administration. The specific details of oversight for this particular award are not provided, but standard government contracting regulations would apply. Transparency is limited due to the nature of the procurement, with less public detail than for larger, competed contracts.

Related Government Programs

NIH Research Equipment Procurement
Medical Device Acquisition
Biomedical Imaging Technology Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Lack of Detailed Performance Metrics
Potential for Suboptimal Pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $16,100.5 to MAUNA KEA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. ALVEOFLEX N CONFOCAL MINIPROBE MAUNA KEA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.:1206754 [26-004238]

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MAUNA KEA TECHNOLOGIES, 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 $16,100.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the specific function and intended use of the ALVEOFLEX N CONFOCAL MINIPROBE?

The ALVEOFLEX N CONFOCAL MINIPROBE is a specialized piece of medical equipment likely used for advanced microscopy and imaging in biomedical research. Confocal microscopy allows for optical sectioning of specimens, providing high-resolution, three-dimensional images. A 'miniprobe' suggests a compact or integrated probe design, potentially for in-situ imaging or minimally invasive applications within research settings. Its intended use at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) points towards applications in fundamental biological research, drug discovery, or disease mechanism studies, enabling scientists to visualize cellular structures and processes with exceptional clarity.

How does the $16,100.50 contract value compare to similar procurements for specialized medical probes?

The contract value of $16,100.50 is relatively low for specialized medical equipment, especially advanced imaging probes. However, direct comparisons are challenging without knowing the exact specifications, capabilities, and intended application of this specific 'confocal miniprobe.' Procurements for high-end research equipment can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars depending on complexity, features, and vendor. This particular award, being a Purchase Order and not fully competed, suggests it might be for a specific, limited-use item or a component rather than a complete, high-capacity system. Benchmarking would require identifying contracts for similar confocal microscopy components or probes with comparable technical specifications and intended research use.

What are the potential risks associated with a 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' award for specialized equipment?

The primary risk associated with a 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' award is the potential for suboptimal pricing and reduced value for money. Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed for smaller purchases, but when competition is limited or absent, the government may not benefit from the price discovery that occurs in a more robust bidding process. This could lead to paying a higher price than necessary. Additionally, limited competition might mean fewer options are considered, potentially resulting in a less suitable technical solution if the chosen vendor's offering is not the best fit for the requirement. There's also a risk of reduced innovation if vendors are not incentivized to propose novel or cost-effective solutions.

What does the short contract duration (173 days) imply about the NIH's needs?

The short contract duration of 173 days (approximately 5.7 months) suggests that the NIH's need for this specific confocal miniprobe is likely short-term, immediate, or for a defined project phase. It could indicate a requirement for a pilot study, a temporary replacement for existing equipment, or a specific research experiment with a set timeline. This duration might also imply that the agency plans to re-evaluate its needs or explore different solutions upon contract completion, rather than committing to a long-term acquisition. It could also be a strategy to procure quickly under SAP for an urgent, time-sensitive research need.

What is the track record of MAUNA KEA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. in federal contracting?

Information regarding MAUNA KEAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.'s specific track record with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data snippet. The award is a single Purchase Order valued at $16,100.50. To assess their track record, one would need to examine broader federal procurement databases for previous awards, contract types, agencies served, and performance history. Without this broader context, it's difficult to gauge their experience, reliability, or typical pricing structures within the federal market. Further investigation into their contract history would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL/DENTAL/VETERINARY EQPT/SUPP

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Mauna KEA Technologies

Address: 24 DENBY RD STE 140, ALLSTON, MA, 02134

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,101

Exercised Options: $16,101

Current Obligation: $16,101

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline