VA awards $6.1M for surgical lights to Trillamed LLC under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $614,786 ($614.8K)

Contractor: Trillamed LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-02-19

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 496 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: SURGICAL LIGHTS

Place of Performance

Location: BEVERLY HILLS, OAKLAND County, MICHIGAN, 48025

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $614,786.03 to TRILLAMED LLC for work described as: SURGICAL LIGHTS Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. 3. The fixed-price nature of the contract shifts performance risk to the contractor. 4. The contract duration spans over a year, indicating ongoing need for these supplies. 5. The awardee, Trillamed LLC, is a relatively new entity in federal contracting. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 339113 points to a specialized manufacturing sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific delivery order is challenging without knowing the total contract value and the specific items procured. However, the total award amount of $6.15 million for surgical lights over approximately 1.5 years suggests a moderate investment. Further analysis would require comparing unit prices to similar procurements for surgical lighting systems and assessing the contractor's pricing strategy against market rates for comparable medical equipment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of 2 bids suggests a degree of competition, though the exact number of potential bidders in this specialized market is unknown. A higher number of bids typically leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition process is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best value through a wide range of offers, potentially driving down prices.

Public Impact

Veterans Affairs medical facilities will receive essential surgical lighting equipment. The contract supports the operational needs of healthcare providers within the VA system. The procurement is likely to impact surgical procedures and patient care quality. The contract is geographically focused on Michigan (SN: MICHIGAN), suggesting a regional distribution or facility need.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition (2 bids) may not represent the full market potential, potentially leading to suboptimal pricing.
The contractor, Trillamed LLC, may have limited federal contracting history, posing potential performance risks.
The specific nature of 'surgical lights' could encompass a wide range of technologies and price points, making value assessment difficult without detailed specifications.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, adhering to principles of broad market access.
The firm fixed-price contract structure transfers cost overrun risk to the contractor.
The contract duration indicates a sustained need and potential for a stable supply chain.

Sector Analysis

The market for surgical lighting systems is a specialized segment within the broader medical equipment manufacturing industry. This sector is characterized by technological innovation, stringent regulatory requirements (FDA), and a need for high reliability in clinical settings. The global market for surgical lights is substantial, with significant players focusing on advanced LED technology and integrated imaging capabilities. This contract represents a specific procurement within the U.S. federal healthcare sector, primarily serving the needs of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. The awardee, Trillamed LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. Further investigation into the size standard for NAICS 339113 and Trillamed LLC's status would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified goods. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, though detailed performance metrics and inspection reports may not be publicly available. The Inspector General's office within the VA would have jurisdiction over any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this award.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Equipment Procurement
Surgical Supplies and Devices
Federal Healthcare Contracting
Medical Device Manufacturing

Risk Flags

Limited number of bids received.
Contractor's federal contracting experience may be limited.
Specific product details and performance metrics not fully detailed in summary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $614,786.03 to TRILLAMED LLC. SURGICAL LIGHTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRILLAMED 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 $614,786.03.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-02-19. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the track record of Trillamed LLC in federal contracting, particularly for medical equipment?

Based on the provided data, Trillamed LLC is the awardee of this $6.15 million contract for surgical lights. However, the data does not offer extensive details on the company's prior federal contracting history. To assess their track record, a deeper dive into federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) would be necessary to identify any previous awards, contract performance history, and any reported issues or successes. Without this additional information, it is difficult to definitively gauge their experience and reliability in fulfilling government contracts, especially for specialized medical equipment like surgical lights.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar surgical lighting systems?

The provided data indicates a total award of $6,147,860.03 for surgical lights with a delivery period extending to June 30, 2026. To compare this to market rates, one would need to identify the specific types and models of surgical lights procured, their technical specifications (e.g., LED vs. halogen, illumination levels, color rendering index, articulation), and the quantity. Then, these specifications would need to be benchmarked against prices from other manufacturers and suppliers in the commercial market and potentially against other federal contracts for similar items. Without these granular details, a precise value-for-money assessment against market rates is not feasible from the given summary data.

What are the potential risks associated with a contract awarded to a company with potentially limited federal contracting experience?

Awarding a significant contract, such as this $6.15 million for surgical lights, to a company with potentially limited federal contracting experience can introduce several risks. These may include a steeper learning curve regarding federal acquisition regulations, reporting requirements, and payment processes, which could lead to delays or administrative inefficiencies. There's also a potential risk related to performance, where the contractor might lack established supply chains or project management expertise tailored to government needs, potentially impacting delivery timelines or product quality. Furthermore, navigating the complexities of government oversight and compliance could be more challenging for a less experienced entity, increasing the likelihood of minor contractual issues.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' strategy in ensuring the VA obtains high-quality surgical lights at competitive prices?

The 'full and open competition' strategy is designed to maximize the number of potential bidders, thereby increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive offers and securing the best value for the government. For the VA procuring surgical lights, this approach theoretically allows a wide range of manufacturers and suppliers to compete, potentially driving down prices and encouraging innovation. However, the effectiveness is contingent on the actual number of bids received (only 2 in this case) and the specific market dynamics for surgical lighting. If the market is highly concentrated or dominated by a few large players, 'full and open' might still result in limited effective competition. The VA's evaluation criteria and the clarity of the solicitation's technical requirements also play crucial roles in ensuring the selected product meets quality standards.

What is the historical spending pattern for surgical lights by the Department of Veterans Affairs?

The provided data focuses on a single contract award. To understand historical spending patterns for surgical lights by the VA, one would need to analyze procurement data over several fiscal years. This would involve querying federal procurement databases (like FPDS) for contracts awarded by the VA under relevant NAICS codes (e.g., 339113) or product service codes related to surgical lighting. Analyzing this historical data would reveal trends in spending volume, average contract values, key awardees, and the prevalence of different contract types (e.g., competitive vs. sole-source). This context is crucial for assessing whether the current $6.15 million award is consistent with past spending or represents a significant deviation.

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

Solicitation ID: 36C24425Q0280

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 30100 TELEGRAPH RD, BINGHAM FARMS, MI, 48025

Business Categories: Category Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $614,786

Exercised Options: $614,786

Current Obligation: $614,786

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36F79720D0041

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline