NASA awards $488K for Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer Systems to Thermo Electron
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $48,861 ($48.9K)
Contractor: Thermo Electron North America LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-13
End Date: 2027-04-12
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $134/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: SERVICE CONTRACT FOR THERMO CHROMATOGRAPH-MASS SPECTROMETER SYSTEMS
Place of Performance
Location: WEST PALM BEACH, PALM BEACH County, FLORIDA, 33407
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $48,860.84 to THERMO ELECTRON NORTH AMERICA LLC for work described as: SERVICE CONTRACT FOR THERMO CHROMATOGRAPH-MASS SPECTROMETER SYSTEMS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for analytical laboratory instruments. 2. Thermo Electron North America LLC is the sole awardee. 3. The contract has a duration of 364 days. 4. The total award amount is $488,608.84. 5. The PSC code is missing, hindering sector benchmarking.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The award amount of $488,608.84 for a 364-day service contract appears reasonable for specialized analytical instrumentation. However, without a specific breakdown of services or comparison to similar contracts, a definitive assessment of value is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying a premium for these specialized systems and services.
Public Impact
Supports NASA's scientific research and laboratory operations. Ensures availability of critical analytical instrumentation. Potential for increased costs due to sole-source award.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Missing PSC code hinders benchmarking.
- Potential for overpayment due to lack of competition.
Positive Signals
- Award supports critical NASA operations.
- Firms fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on agency needs for research and development, quality control, and scientific analysis. Benchmarks are difficult without a specific PSC.
Small Business Impact
The awardee is Thermo Electron North America LLC, a large business. There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific procurement.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded as a purchase order. Oversight would involve monitoring performance against the firm fixed price terms and ensuring timely delivery of services.
Related Government Programs
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Missing PSC code
- Limited transparency on services
Tags
analytical-laboratory-instrument-manufac, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, fl, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $48,860.84 to THERMO ELECTRON NORTH AMERICA LLC. SERVICE CONTRACT FOR THERMO CHROMATOGRAPH-MASS SPECTROMETER SYSTEMS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THERMO ELECTRON NORTH AMERICA LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $48,860.84.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-13. End: 2027-04-12.
What specific services are included in this $488,608.84 award for chromatograph-mass spectrometer systems?
The provided data does not detail the specific services included in the award. It is described as a service contract for chromatograph-mass spectrometer systems. Further investigation into the contract's statement of work would be necessary to understand the scope of services, such as maintenance, calibration, software support, or consumables.
What is the justification for the sole-source award, and how was the price determined to be fair and reasonable?
The justification for the sole-source award is not provided in the data. Typically, sole-source procurements require a justification, such as unique capabilities or proprietary technology. The process for determining fair and reasonable pricing in such cases often involves market research, historical pricing, or cost analysis, which are not detailed here.
How does this award align with NASA's broader objectives for analytical laboratory instrumentation and research?
This award directly supports NASA's scientific research and laboratory operations by providing essential analytical instrumentation. The specific alignment would depend on the research projects or operational needs these systems are intended for. Ensuring the systems are state-of-the-art and well-maintained is crucial for the integrity and advancement of NASA's scientific endeavors.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services
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: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
Address: 1400 NORTHPOINT PKWY STE 10, WEST PALM BEACH, FL, 33407
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $48,861
Exercised Options: $48,861
Current Obligation: $48,861
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-13
Current End Date: 2027-04-12
Potential End Date: 2027-04-12 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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