Department of Health and Human Services Awarded a Contract to BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY for $15,976.71

Summary of Award

The contract in focus, identified by the award ID "75N93025P00881," represents a procurement action by the U.S. federal government under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically through the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The transaction involves a purchase order for services concerning the maintenance, repair, and servicing of the LSR Fortessa Cytometer and its associated lasers. The awarded amount for this procurement is $15,976.71, and it falls under the category of "Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance" as per the NAICS code 811210.

**Contract Details:**

The contract was signed on April 10, 2025, with the period of performance commencing on May 10, 2025, and extending to September 30, 2025. This clear timeline suggests that the services will be rendered for a well-defined period, indicative of typical maintenance schedules for sensitive equipment such as cytometers used in laboratory environments. **Awarding and Funding Agencies:** Both the awarding and funding agencies are identified as the National Institutes of Health, a part of the HHS, highlighting the significance of the equipment for ongoing health research and diagnostics. The budget and operational oversight for this expenditure would be coordinated through NIH’s administrative structures, ensuring alignment with federal procurement standards. **Recipient Information:** The contract is awarded to Becton, Dickinson and Company, a well-established entity in the medical technology field. Headquartered in San Jose, California, Becton, Dickinson (BD) provides a range of products and services focusing on enhancing medication management and newer healthcare technology innovations, thereby playing a pivotal role in supporting laboratory equipment maintenance. BD, known formally as Becton, Dickinson & Co, operates as a corporate entity within the United States and is designated as a manufacturer of goods. With a strong reputation and a significant market presence, BD's role in maintaining critical NIH laboratory equipment underscores the trust and reliability imbued in its services. The company is not designated as a small business, suggesting a larger operational structure capable of handling substantial government contracts. **Transaction Overview:** The sole transaction associated with this contract reflects a firm fixed price agreement, binding BD to provide maintenance services at the agreed-upon price without allowances for variances in costs. This type of pricing strategy is often employed in government procurement to reduce risks associated with budget overruns. Awarding the contract under these terms also means that NIH will receive a predefined scope of services related to the upkeep of the cytometry equipment integral to their research operations. With only one offer received in response to the solicitation, this contract was categorized as “competed under SAP” (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), signaling streamlined procurement processes for smaller financial thresholds, which often facilitate quicker acquisitions. This method is essential for ensuring that crucial research machinery remains operational without lengthy procurement delays. **Geographical and Operational Context:** The place of performance for the services is Bethesda, Maryland, home to many NIH facilities. The localization of services within this high-research impact area ensures that maintenance efforts are closely aligned with the operational needs of NIH scientific undertakings. **Implications and Impact:** The precise maintenance and performance servicing of the LSR Fortessa Cytometer, a key component of laboratory instrumentation, possess far-reaching implications for research capabilities at NIH. The cytometer is essential for tasks involving cellular analysis, with its operational integrity crucial for experimental accuracy and reliability. Contracts such as this one illustrate critical intersections between federal funding priorities and advancements in biomedical research. They underscore the government's commitment to ensuring that agencies like NIH are equipped with fully functional, state-of-the-art technology. Moreover, engaging with reputable service providers like BD showcases a sustained approach towards honing research excellence through strategic partnerships. The reliability of BD in delivering timely and effective maintenance services is a cornerstone in the broader landscape of healthcare innovation, where precision and technological up-time directly affect research outcomes. In summary, this contract with Becton, Dickinson and Company represents an essential component of federal efforts to sustain scientific excellence and operational efficiency within one of the nation’s most significant health research agencies. Through this engagement, the foundational groundwork is laid for ongoing advancements in medical research, ultimately contributing to the health landscape improvements nationally and globally.