Automatically produced note
101.3-fold price increase for automatic pipette pointer
The median unit price of an automatic pipette pointer rose from $2 in 2025 to $230 in 2026, according to SICE data.
What was measured
The median unit price of an automatic pipette pointer with catalog code 33413 showed a 101.3-fold variation between 2025 and 2026. In 2025, the median was $2, while in 2026 it increased to $230. These figures are derived from the median of 19 and 24 purchase lines, respectively.
The measured block
| Measured | Value | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Precio unitario mediano 2025 | $ 2 | mediana de 19 líneas del mismo código |
| Precio unitario mediano 2026 | $ 230 | mediana de 24 líneas del mismo código |
| Variación | 101,3× | cociente entre las dos medianas |
| Código de catálogo | 33413 | awards.items.classification.id (catálogo SICE) |
Reproduce this measurement:npx tsx src/jobs/daily-investigation.ts --lane=salto-precio --dry-run
Context
SICE (State Procurement and Contracting Information System) is the centralized information platform for public procurement in Uruguay. Catalog code 33413 corresponds to an automatic pipette pointer.
The rule it puts in play
No regulation sets the price of an item, and an inter-annual jump may reflect inflation, exchange rates, changes in the unit of measurement, or a different product under the same code. The measurement compares medians of the same catalog code, nothing more.
What is missing to say more
To understand the variation, it would be necessary to analyze whether the price change is due to inflation, exchange rates, a change in the unit of measurement, or if it is a different product under the same code. It would also be useful to know the details of the 24 contracts awarded.
Who should answer
The Ministry of Public Health, as the spending officer, should explain the reasons behind this price variation.
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