VA awards $20,181 for Power Wheelchairs to Sunrise Medical, a sole-source purchase

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,181 ($20.2K)

Contractor: Sunrise Medical (US) LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-07-01

Contract Duration: 91 days

Daily Burn Rate: $222/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: Q300 M MPC SEDEO PRO MODEL: 400PC293 POWER WHEELCHAIR

Place of Performance

Location: WILKES BARRE, LUZERNE County, PENNSYLVANIA, 18711

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $20,181.13 to SUNRISE MEDICAL (US) LLC for work described as: Q300 M MPC SEDEO PRO MODEL: 400PC293 POWER WHEELCHAIR Key points: 1. High unit cost for a standard medical device. 2. Lack of competition raises concerns about price. 3. Potential for better pricing through competitive bidding. 4. Sector: Healthcare supplies, typically competitive.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The unit price of $20,181.13 for a power wheelchair appears high compared to market benchmarks for similar devices, especially given the short duration of the contract.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may lead to inflated costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition likely resulted in a higher price than could have been achieved through a competitive process, impacting taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

Veterans may face delays or higher costs for essential mobility equipment. Limited transparency in pricing due to sole-source award. Raises questions about the VA's procurement strategy for medical supplies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
High unit price
Lack of competition
Short contract duration

Positive Signals

Essential medical equipment for veterans

Sector Analysis

The healthcare supplies sector, particularly for durable medical equipment like wheelchairs, typically benefits from robust competition. Benchmarks suggest significant price variation, making competitive bidding crucial.

Small Business Impact

No information available on small business participation in this sole-source award.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants further review to ensure the VA explored all competitive options and obtained fair pricing.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competition.
High unit price for a power wheelchair.
Potential for inflated costs.
Limited transparency in pricing.
Questionable value for taxpayer money.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $20,181.13 to SUNRISE MEDICAL (US) LLC. Q300 M MPC SEDEO PRO MODEL: 400PC293 POWER WHEELCHAIR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SUNRISE MEDICAL (US) 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 $20,181.13.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-07-01.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and was a market research conducted to confirm no other vendors could supply the required power wheelchairs?

The justification for a sole-source award is critical. Agencies must demonstrate that only one responsible source can provide the supplies or services. Without this, taxpayers may overpay. Market research is essential to identify potential sources and ensure fair pricing, especially for items like power wheelchairs where multiple manufacturers exist.

How does the $20,181.13 per-unit cost compare to similar power wheelchairs purchased by other federal agencies or healthcare providers?

Benchmarking this unit cost against similar power wheelchairs is crucial. If this price is significantly higher than market rates or prices paid by other entities, it indicates a potential lack of value for taxpayer money. A thorough price analysis should have been conducted prior to the sole-source award.

What is the expected impact on veteran access to mobility equipment given this procurement approach and pricing?

The impact on veteran access depends on the VA's overall budget and procurement strategy. If this sole-source award represents a pattern of high-cost, non-competitive purchases, it could strain resources, potentially limiting the quantity or types of equipment available to veterans. Ensuring competitive pricing maximizes the number of veterans who can be served.

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: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 460-6Q9050

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12002 VOLUNTEER BLVD, MOUNT JULIET, TN, 37122

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,181

Exercised Options: $20,181

Current Obligation: $20,181

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline