VA Awards $17,892 for Veteran Stairlift, High Per-Unit Cost Raises Questions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,892 ($17.9K)

Contractor: Bruno Independent Living Aids Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-03-16

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 45 days

Daily Burn Rate: $398/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: STAIRLIFT FOR A VETERAN.

Place of Performance

Location: OCONOMOWOC, WAUKESHA County, WISCONSIN, 53066

State: Wisconsin Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $17,892.02 to BRUNO INDEPENDENT LIVING AIDS INC for work described as: STAIRLIFT FOR A VETERAN. Key points: 1. High per-unit cost for a single stairlift. 2. Limited competition may have impacted price discovery. 3. Potential for better value through competitive bidding. 4. Sector: Medical equipment manufacturing.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The per-unit cost of $17,892 for a single stairlift appears significantly higher than market benchmarks for similar equipment. This suggests potential overpricing or unique customization needs not fully detailed.

Cost Per Unit: $17,892

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

While advertised as full and open competition, the award to a single vendor for a specific product suggests limited engagement from other potential suppliers. This could indicate a lack of market awareness or specialized product requirements.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used to procure essential equipment for veterans. The high per-unit cost warrants scrutiny to ensure efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

Ensures mobility and independence for a veteran. Supports the Department of Veterans Affairs' mission to care for service members. Highlights the need for competitive pricing in specialized medical equipment procurement.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

High per-unit cost
Potential for limited competition despite 'full and open' status
Lack of detailed justification for high price

Positive Signals

Addresses a specific veteran's need
Procurement through an established agency

Sector Analysis

The medical equipment manufacturing sector, particularly for specialized mobility aids, can have high R&D and customization costs. However, benchmarks for standard stairlifts are considerably lower than this award.

Small Business Impact

No information is available regarding small business participation in this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were considered or had the opportunity to bid.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard procurement regulations should apply, ensuring fair and competitive practices.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

High per-unit cost
Potential lack of true competition
Limited transparency on justification for price
Need for market research validation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $17,892.02 to BRUNO INDEPENDENT LIVING AIDS INC. STAIRLIFT FOR A VETERAN.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BRUNO INDEPENDENT LIVING AIDS 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 $17,892.02.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-16. End: 2026-04-30.

What specific features or customization justify the $17,892 per-unit cost for this stairlift, and how does it compare to commercially available high-end models?

The high cost may be attributed to specialized installation requirements, unique user needs, or specific features mandated by the VA. However, without detailed specifications, it's difficult to ascertain the exact justification. Standard high-end stairlifts typically range from $3,000 to $10,000, suggesting this unit is significantly above the average market price.

Given the 'full and open competition' designation, why did only one vendor appear to be awarded this contract, and what steps were taken to ensure broad market outreach?

Despite the designation, the award to a single vendor suggests that either few companies could meet the specific requirements, or the outreach efforts were not sufficiently broad. Agencies should actively solicit bids from multiple qualified sources, especially for high-value items, to ensure competitive pricing and identify the best value.

What is the long-term cost-effectiveness of this procurement, considering potential maintenance, repair, and the possibility of more affordable, comparable solutions?

The long-term cost-effectiveness is questionable due to the high initial price. If the stairlift requires specialized maintenance or parts, ongoing costs could also be elevated. Exploring alternative solutions or negotiating bulk discounts for future procurements could improve cost-effectiveness.

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: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1780 EXECUTIVE DR, OCONOMOWOC, WI, 53066

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,892

Exercised Options: $17,892

Current Obligation: $17,892

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36F79721D0099

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline