VA awards $33.5M for CABG Suture Packs, with a 91-day delivery timeline

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $33,456 ($33.5K)

Contractor: Manus Medical, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-07-02

Contract Duration: 91 days

Daily Burn Rate: $368/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: CABG SUTURE PACKS

Place of Performance

Location: CHEYENNE, LARAMIE County, WYOMING, 82001

State: Wyoming Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $33,455.88 to MANUS MEDICAL, LLC for work described as: CABG SUTURE PACKS Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the short performance period and specialized nature of the product. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a single awardee, raising questions about price discovery. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, primarily related to the sole-source nature of the award. 4. Performance context is a short-term supply need for a specific medical procedure. 5. Sector positioning is within the broader healthcare supplies and medical devices market.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific details on the suture packs' specifications and quantities. The total award amount of $33.5 million for a 91-day period suggests a high per-diem cost. However, if the volume of suture packs is substantial or if these are highly specialized, the pricing might be justifiable. Further analysis would require comparing unit costs to similar procurements for comparable medical supplies.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for less stringent competition requirements for purchases below a certain threshold. The data indicates it was competed, but the final award was to a single entity, suggesting potential limitations in the bidding process or a specific justification for a sole-source award. The limited competition may have resulted in a higher price than if a broader range of vendors had been engaged.

Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may not have benefited from the most competitive pricing achievable through a wider bidding process.

Public Impact

Patients undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery will benefit from the availability of necessary surgical supplies. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system will receive critical medical consumables. The geographic impact is primarily within the VA facilities that require these specific suture packs. Workforce implications are minimal, as this contract focuses on supply chain rather than direct service provision.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition could lead to suboptimal pricing for taxpayers.
Reliance on a single supplier for critical medical supplies poses a supply chain risk.
The short performance period may indicate an urgent or unforeseen need, potentially impacting planning.

Positive Signals

The award ensures the availability of essential surgical materials for critical patient care.
The contract is awarded to a specific entity, potentially indicating a pre-existing relationship or specialized capability.
The use of Purchase Orders under SAP suggests an efficient procurement process for this specific need.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare sector, particularly the medical device and surgical supply sub-sector, is characterized by innovation and stringent regulatory requirements. Contracts like this are crucial for ensuring the consistent availability of specialized products needed for patient care. The market for surgical supplies is competitive, but specific items like CABG suture packs may have fewer qualified manufacturers, influencing competition dynamics.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract involved small business set-asides or subcontracting opportunities. Given the nature of specialized medical supplies, it's possible the primary awardee is a larger entity, but further investigation would be needed to determine any subcontracting plans or impacts on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' procurement and program management offices. Accountability is typically managed through contract performance monitoring and adherence to the terms of the purchase order. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases, though detailed performance metrics may not always be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Medical Supplies
Surgical Equipment
Department of Veterans Affairs Procurement
Simplified Acquisition Procedures

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Limited competition
Short performance period

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $33,455.88 to MANUS MEDICAL, LLC. CABG SUTURE PACKS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MANUS MEDICAL, 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 $33,455.88.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-07-02.

What is the specific type and quantity of CABG suture packs being procured?

The provided data identifies the item as 'CABG SUTURE PACKS' but does not specify the exact type (e.g., material, size, needle type) or the quantity being procured. The total award value of $33.5 million for a 91-day period suggests a significant volume or a high unit cost. To fully assess value for money, understanding the precise specifications and the number of units is critical. This information would allow for a direct comparison with market rates and similar contracts for CABG suture kits.

What is the historical spending pattern for CABG suture packs by the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Historical spending data for CABG suture packs by the VA is not provided in the current dataset. Analyzing past expenditures would offer valuable context regarding the typical volume, pricing, and procurement methods used for these supplies. Significant deviations from historical spending could indicate changes in demand, market conditions, or procurement strategies. Understanding this pattern is essential for identifying potential anomalies or efficiencies in the current $33.5 million award.

What is the track record of MANUS MEDICAL, LLC in supplying medical products to the federal government?

Information regarding the track record of MANUS MEDICAL, LLC, specifically concerning federal contracts, is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough assessment would require examining their past performance on similar contracts, including delivery timeliness, product quality, and adherence to contract terms. Investigating their history with the VA and other federal agencies would help gauge their reliability and capability to fulfill this $33.5 million award effectively.

How does the per-unit cost of these CABG suture packs compare to industry benchmarks?

The provided data does not include the per-unit cost for the CABG suture packs, making a direct comparison to industry benchmarks impossible. The total award of $33.5 million over 91 days is a high-level figure. To benchmark effectively, the number of suture packs procured and their specific characteristics (material, needle type, etc.) are needed. Without this granular data, assessing whether the pricing is competitive or inflated relative to market rates remains speculative.

What are the specific risks associated with a sole-source award for critical medical supplies?

A sole-source award for critical medical supplies like CABG suture packs carries several risks. Primarily, it limits price competition, potentially leading to higher costs for the government and taxpayers. It also creates a dependency on a single supplier, increasing vulnerability to supply chain disruptions (e.g., manufacturing issues, logistical problems, or the supplier's financial instability). Furthermore, without competitive pressure, there may be less incentive for the supplier to innovate or maintain the highest quality standards over time.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 36C24226Q0476

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 209 E 20TH ST, CHEYENNE, WY, 82001

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,456

Exercised Options: $33,456

Current Obligation: $33,456

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline