NASA awards $2.9M scanning electron microscope maintenance contract to TESCAN USA INC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $29,282 ($29.3K)
Contractor: Tescan USA Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-01
End Date: 2027-03-31
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $80/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT
Place of Performance
Location: WARRENDALE, ALLEGHENY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15086
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $29,282 to TESCAN USA INC for work described as: SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded for scanning electron microscope service and maintenance. 2. TESCAN USA INC is the sole provider for this specific equipment. 3. The contract duration is one year, with a firm fixed price. 4. The NAICS code indicates a focus on electronic and precision equipment repair.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a firm fixed price for one year. Without benchmark data for similar maintenance agreements on this specific equipment, it's difficult to definitively assess pricing fairness. However, the total award amount of $2.9M for a single year suggests a potentially high cost for specialized maintenance.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed under SAP and is listed as sole-source. This limits price discovery and competition, potentially leading to higher costs for the government. The lack of competition raises concerns about whether the best possible price was obtained.
Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may be paying a premium for this specialized maintenance service due to the absence of competitive bidding.
Public Impact
NASA relies on advanced scientific equipment for research and development. Maintenance ensures the continued operation of critical scientific instruments. The cost of specialized equipment maintenance can be significant for federal agencies. Lack of competition in sole-source contracts can impact overall government spending efficiency.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 80 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
- High annual cost for maintenance of specialized equipment.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
- One-year duration limits long-term financial commitment.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls under the Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance sector. Spending in this sector is crucial for agencies like NASA that rely on sophisticated scientific instruments. Benchmarks for similar maintenance agreements on specialized equipment are often difficult to establish due to unique vendor requirements.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to involve small businesses, as it is a sole-source award to TESCAN USA INC. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure the government received fair value. NASA's procurement oversight should confirm the justification for sole-source and explore future competitive opportunities where feasible.
Related Government Programs
- Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Potential for inflated pricing due to lack of competition.
- High annual cost for specialized maintenance.
- Dependence on a single vendor for critical equipment.
Tags
electronic-and-precision-equipment-repai, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, pa, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $29,282 to TESCAN USA INC. SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TESCAN USA INC.
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 $29,282.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and have alternative solutions been considered?
The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from the unique capabilities or proprietary nature of the product or service, where only one vendor can provide the necessary maintenance. NASA's procurement regulations would require a detailed justification, often involving a brand name justification or a determination that only TESCAN USA INC can service their specific scanning electron microscope model. Alternatives might include in-house maintenance capabilities or seeking competitive bids for generic maintenance services if applicable, though specialized equipment often limits these options.
How does the per-unit cost of this maintenance agreement compare to industry benchmarks for similar scanning electron microscopes?
Determining a precise per-unit cost benchmark for this specific scanning electron microscope maintenance is challenging without access to proprietary service agreements or detailed equipment specifications. However, the total award of $2.9M for a 364-day period suggests a significant annual cost. Industry benchmarks for high-end scientific equipment maintenance can range widely, but this figure warrants careful comparison against similar contracts or published service rates if available to ensure cost-effectiveness.
What is the potential impact on NASA's research capabilities if this maintenance agreement is not renewed or if service is interrupted?
An interruption in maintenance service for a scanning electron microscope could have severe consequences for NASA's research capabilities. These instruments are critical for high-resolution imaging and analysis, essential for materials science, nanotechnology, and other advanced research areas. Downtime could lead to significant delays in research projects, loss of valuable data, and potentially impact mission-critical scientific objectives. Ensuring continuous, high-quality maintenance is therefore paramount for operational continuity.
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, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 80NSSC26929257Q
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 765 COMMONWEALTH DR STE 101, WARRENDALE, PA, 15086
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $29,282
Exercised Options: $29,282
Current Obligation: $29,282
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-01
Current End Date: 2027-03-31
Potential End Date: 2027-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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