VA awards $1.78M for Exterior Stairlift, highlighting surgical appliance manufacturing needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,796 ($17.8K)

Contractor: Access4u Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2026-11-30

Contract Duration: 238 days

Daily Burn Rate: $75/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: EXTERIOR STAIRLIFT

Place of Performance

Location: ASPINWALL, ALLEGHENY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15215

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $17,796 to ACCESS4U INC for work described as: EXTERIOR STAIRLIFT Key points: 1. Spending focuses on specialized medical equipment for veterans. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting market availability. 3. Risk appears moderate given the fixed-price contract type. 4. The sector is surgical appliance manufacturing, a niche but essential area.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $1.78 million for a delivery order is within a reasonable range for specialized medical equipment. Benchmarking against similar stairlift contracts for healthcare facilities would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is expected to yield a fair price, minimizing unnecessary taxpayer expenditure for essential veteran equipment.

Public Impact

Directly impacts veterans requiring mobility assistance. Supports the surgical appliance manufacturing industry. Ensures VA facilities are accessible and functional.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 75 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases in future orders.
Dependence on a single supplier for this specific model.
Logistical challenges in deployment and maintenance.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical need for veteran mobility.
Utilizes a competitive bidding process.
Fixed-price contract limits cost overruns.

Sector Analysis

The surgical appliance manufacturing sector is specialized, focusing on medical devices. Spending benchmarks for this niche are difficult to establish broadly, but this award reflects a significant investment in veteran healthcare infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

While the contract was awarded under full and open competition, there is no specific indication of small business participation in this data. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as prime contractors or subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard procurement oversight processes should be in place to ensure delivery and quality meet specifications.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for sole-source follow-on orders if not managed.
Durability and maintenance costs of the specific model.
Supplier's capacity to meet demand and service requirements.
Integration with existing facility infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $17,796 to ACCESS4U INC. EXTERIOR STAIRLIFT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACCESS4U 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 $17,796.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-11-30.

What is the long-term cost-effectiveness of this stairlift solution compared to alternatives?

Assessing long-term cost-effectiveness requires evaluating maintenance, repair, and potential replacement costs over the stairlift's lifespan. Comparing this to alternative accessibility solutions, such as ramps or elevators, and factoring in installation complexity and facility modifications, will provide a clearer picture of the overall value for taxpayer dollars.

What are the primary risks associated with the chosen supplier for this critical equipment?

Key risks with the supplier include potential supply chain disruptions, quality control issues, or the company's financial stability. Given this is a delivery order, reliance on ACCESS4U INC for this specific stairlift model could pose a risk if they face operational challenges, impacting veteran access to necessary equipment.

How effectively does this spending address the broader accessibility needs of veterans within VA facilities?

This spending directly addresses the accessibility needs of veterans requiring stairlifts, improving their ability to navigate facilities. However, its effectiveness in addressing broader accessibility challenges depends on the scale of the problem and whether similar investments are being made across other VA locations and for other types of accessibility barriers.

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: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 510 RAILROAD AVE, LEWES, DE, 19958

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,796

Exercised Options: $17,796

Current Obligation: $17,796

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36F79719D0210

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline