VA awards $34,000 for prosthetic heart valve to Edwards Lifesciences LLC, a sole-source purchase order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $34,000 ($34.0K)

Contractor: Edwards Lifesciences LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-04-03

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: PROSTHETIC ORDER - HEART VALVE

Place of Performance

Location: IRVINE, ORANGE County, CALIFORNIA, 92614

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $34,000 to EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES LLC for work described as: PROSTHETIC ORDER - HEART VALVE Key points: 1. The contract is for a specific prosthetic heart valve, indicating a specialized need. 2. Edwards Lifesciences LLC is a known manufacturer in this medical device sector. 3. The sole-source nature raises questions about potential lack of competition and price discovery. 4. The sector is Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing, a critical area for healthcare.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The $34,000 award for a single prosthetic heart valve appears high on a per-unit basis without further context on valve type and features. Benchmarking against similar high-value, specialized prosthetic devices is necessary for a definitive assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may result in a higher cost to taxpayers compared to a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source award may lead to higher costs for taxpayers due to the absence of competitive bidding, potentially impacting the overall value for money.

Public Impact

Veterans will receive critical medical devices, ensuring access to necessary healthcare. The award supports a specific medical technology, potentially impacting patient outcomes. The lack of competition could influence future pricing for similar medical devices.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Potential for overpayment without competitive pricing.
Limited transparency on specific valve type and justification for sole-source.

Positive Signals

Ensures access to a critical medical device for veterans.
Award to an established manufacturer in the field.

Sector Analysis

The Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing sector is vital for healthcare delivery. Spending in this area is often driven by specialized technology and patient needs, with significant variation in unit costs based on complexity and innovation.

Small Business Impact

This award does not appear to involve small businesses, as it is a sole-source purchase order to a specific large manufacturer. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. The sole-source justification and pricing should be subject to internal review and potentially external audits to ensure accountability and value.

Related Government Programs

Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source justification requires scrutiny.
Potential for inflated pricing due to lack of competition.
Limited transparency on specific product details.
Absence of small business participation noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $34,000 to EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES LLC. PROSTHETIC ORDER - HEART VALVE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES 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 $34,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-04-03.

What is the specific type of prosthetic heart valve and its unique features that justify a sole-source award?

The justification for a sole-source award for a specific prosthetic heart valve would typically detail unique technological advancements, patented features, or critical compatibility requirements with existing patient implants or surgical procedures. Without this specific information, it is difficult to assess if the sole-source designation truly represents the only viable option or if it is a convenience decision.

What is the benchmark price for comparable prosthetic heart valves, and how does this award compare?

Benchmarking comparable prosthetic heart valves requires detailed specifications, including material, type (e.g., mechanical, biological), manufacturer, and intended use. Without these specifics, a direct price comparison is challenging. However, high-value prosthetic devices can range from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars, making the $34,000 figure plausible for a specialized unit, but requiring validation against market rates for similar complexity.

What is the long-term impact on VA's ability to procure similar devices competitively if sole-source awards become a pattern?

A pattern of sole-source awards can diminish competition over time, potentially leading to increased prices and reduced innovation as manufacturers face less pressure to compete. This can erode the VA's negotiating power and limit access to potentially more cost-effective or technologically advanced alternatives in the future, ultimately impacting the value taxpayers receive for medical procurements.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1 EDWARDS WAY, IRVINE, CA, 92614

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $34,000

Exercised Options: $34,000

Current Obligation: $34,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline