VA awards $21.8K contract for prosthetic wheelchair orders to DME SERVICES LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,770 ($21.8K)

Contractor: DME Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-04-10

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: PROSTHETIC ORDER - WHEELCHAIR

Place of Performance

Location: BIRMINGHAM, JEFFERSON County, ALABAMA, 35222

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $21,769.84 to DME SERVICES LLC for work described as: PROSTHETIC ORDER - WHEELCHAIR Key points: 1. Contract awarded for prosthetic wheelchair orders, indicating a need for durable medical equipment. 2. The contract is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, suggesting potential for future orders. 3. The award was made through full and open competition, implying a competitive bidding process. 4. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 5. The contract duration is one year, aligning with typical procurement cycles for such supplies. 6. The geographic location of the awardee is Alabama, potentially impacting local service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $21,769.84 for prosthetic wheelchair orders appears to be a standard amount for a single delivery order. Without more specific details on the quantity and type of wheelchairs or related services, a direct comparison to similar contracts is difficult. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests an attempt to establish a predictable cost for the government. Benchmarking the value would require understanding the market rates for comparable prosthetic wheelchairs and associated services in Alabama.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data indicates there were two bids received. While two bidders suggest some level of competition, it is on the lower end and may not represent the full spectrum of potential suppliers. This limited competition could potentially impact price discovery, though the fixed-price nature of the award aims to mitigate this.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition, despite receiving only two bids, provides a baseline for fair pricing. Taxpayers benefit from the assurance that multiple vendors had the opportunity to compete, potentially leading to a more reasonable price than a sole-source award.

Public Impact

Veterans in Alabama requiring prosthetic wheelchairs will benefit from this contract. The contract ensures the provision of essential durable medical equipment for mobility. Services are likely delivered within Alabama, supporting local veterans' healthcare needs. The contract supports the healthcare and rehabilitation sector within the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited number of bids received (2) may indicate potential barriers to entry or a concentrated market.
Lack of detailed service specifications makes it difficult to fully assess value for money.
Contract duration of one year could lead to frequent re-procurement cycles and administrative overhead.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, allowing for broad market participation.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Contract is a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a pre-established contract vehicle, potentially streamlining future acquisitions.

Sector Analysis

The market for durable medical equipment (DME), including prosthetic devices like wheelchairs, is a significant segment within the healthcare industry. This contract falls under the Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing (NAICS 339113) sector. Spending in this area is driven by healthcare needs, particularly for veterans requiring specialized equipment. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing aggregate federal spending on DME and prosthetic devices across agencies like the VA and DoD.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included a small business set-aside or if the awardee is a small business. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem and subcontracting opportunities cannot be determined from this information. Further analysis would be needed to ascertain any small business participation or implications.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is responsible for the oversight of this contract. As a delivery order under a larger contract, existing oversight mechanisms for the parent contract would likely apply. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would cover potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this award.

Related Government Programs

VA Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service
Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Contracts
Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Procurement

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Potential Supply Chain Risk
Contractor Performance Uncertainty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $21,769.84 to DME SERVICES LLC. PROSTHETIC ORDER - WHEELCHAIR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DME SERVICES LLC.

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 $21,769.84.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-04-10.

What is the track record of DME SERVICES LLC in fulfilling VA contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of DME SERVICES LLC in fulfilling VA contracts is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their performance, one would need to review their past contract history with the VA, including on-time delivery rates, quality of products/services, and any past performance evaluations or disputes. Accessing the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or similar government contract databases would be necessary to retrieve this information and evaluate their reliability as a contractor for prosthetic orders.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar prosthetic wheelchairs?

The provided data does not include specific details about the prosthetic wheelchair (e.g., model, features, quantity) or its associated services, making a direct comparison to market rates challenging. The total award amount is $21,769.84. To benchmark this price, one would need to identify comparable prosthetic wheelchairs and services available in the Alabama market or nationally, considering factors like manufacturer, specifications, and warranty. Researching pricing from other DME providers or consulting industry price lists would be essential for a thorough value assessment.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract award?

Key risks associated with this contract include potential supply chain disruptions affecting the availability of specific wheelchair models or components, and the possibility of the awarded price not being the most competitive due to the limited number of bids (two). There's also a risk related to the contractor's ability to meet delivery timelines and quality standards consistently throughout the contract period. Furthermore, if the contract is for a specific type of wheelchair, obsolescence or the development of superior technology could pose a future risk.

How effective is the VA's procurement process in securing necessary prosthetic equipment?

The effectiveness of the VA's procurement process for prosthetic equipment can be assessed by examining several factors, including the timeliness of awards, the competitiveness of the bidding environment, and the quality and reliability of the awarded contractors. This specific contract, awarded through full and open competition with two bids, suggests a functional but potentially improvable process. Consistent positive outcomes across numerous similar contracts, timely delivery, and high satisfaction rates from veteran recipients would indicate overall effectiveness. Analyzing trends in contract values and competition levels over time would provide further insight.

What is the historical spending pattern for prosthetic wheelchair orders by the VA?

Historical spending patterns for prosthetic wheelchair orders by the VA are not detailed in the provided data. To analyze this, one would need to examine aggregated contract data over several fiscal years, looking at the total dollar amounts awarded, the number of contracts issued, the average value per contract, and the primary awardees. Understanding these patterns would reveal trends in demand, pricing fluctuations, and the VA's reliance on specific contractors or contract vehicles for these essential supplies.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3600 5TH AVE S, BIRMINGHAM, AL, 35222

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,770

Exercised Options: $21,770

Current Obligation: $21,770

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36F79724D0128

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline