VA's March 2026 NX Orders Total $972K from Hill-Rom, Inc. for Surgical Supplies

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $97,212 ($97.2K)

Contractor: Hill-Rom, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-03-01

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 30 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.2K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: EXPRESS REPORT: NX ORDERS PLACED FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 2026

Place of Performance

Location: BATESVILLE, FRANKLIN County, INDIANA, 47006

State: Indiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $97,212.37 to HILL-ROM, INC. for work described as: EXPRESS REPORT: NX ORDERS PLACED FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 2026 Key points: 1. Significant monthly spend of $972K on surgical appliances. 2. Sole supplier identified as Hill-Rom, Inc. 3. Potential risk due to lack of competition. 4. Spending concentrated within the Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's value of $972,123.70 for a single month's orders raises questions without a competitive benchmark. The lack of competition suggests potential overpricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition for this significant expenditure may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for surgical appliances.

Public Impact

Veterans may face delays or reduced access to necessary surgical supplies if the sole source cannot meet demand. The lack of competitive bidding could set a precedent for future sole-source contracts in this category. Taxpayer funds are being spent without assurance of the best possible price.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
High monthly spend

Positive Signals

Specific monthly orders placed
Clear end date for the period

Sector Analysis

This spending falls within the Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing sector. Benchmarks for similar sole-source contracts are difficult to ascertain without competitive data, but typical government spending in this area aims for cost-effectiveness through competition.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, as it was awarded to a single, likely large, supplier.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for this contract. Oversight should focus on justifying the sole-source nature and exploring future competitive opportunities.

Related Government Programs

Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competition.
Potential for inflated pricing.
Limited transparency in price discovery.
No small business participation evident.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $97,212.37 to HILL-ROM, INC.. EXPRESS REPORT: NX ORDERS PLACED FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 2026

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HILL-ROM, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $97,212.37.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-01. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the justification for awarding this contract as sole-source, and what steps are being taken to introduce competition in the future?

The justification for a sole-source award is critical for ensuring taxpayer value. Agencies must demonstrate that only one source can meet the requirement. Future steps should involve market research to identify potential competitors and developing strategies to foster a competitive environment, such as breaking down the requirement or seeking alternative solutions.

What is the estimated cost savings if this contract were competed?

Without competitive bidding, estimating precise savings is challenging. However, historical data across various government contracts suggests that competitive solicitations can yield savings ranging from 10% to 30% or more compared to sole-source awards. This could translate to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars saved annually for this specific contract.

How does the per-unit cost of these surgical appliances compare to industry benchmarks or previous competitive contracts?

A direct comparison is difficult without access to the specific items and their pricing under this sole-source contract. However, the absence of competition inherently removes the pressure to offer competitive pricing. A thorough review of the contract's pricing structure against publicly available data or similar agency contracts would be necessary to assess its fairness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing › Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1069 STATE RTE 46 E, BATESVILLE, IN, 47006

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $97,212

Exercised Options: $97,212

Current Obligation: $97,212

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C10G23D0014

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline