VA Awards $1.2M for System Maintenance to B. Braun Medical Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,160 ($12.2K)

Contractor: B. Braun Medical Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-06-01

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 121 days

Daily Burn Rate: $100/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SYSTEM DIALOG MAINTENANCE

Place of Performance

Location: SALEM, SALEM County, VIRGINIA, 24153

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $12,160 to B. BRAUN MEDICAL INC for work described as: SYSTEM DIALOG MAINTENANCE Key points: 1. Spending focuses on essential electronic and precision equipment repair. 2. B. Braun Medical Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price purchase order. 4. This award falls under the IT sector for maintenance services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1.2 million for a 4-month period suggests a potentially high per-unit cost, especially given the specific nature of the equipment. Benchmarking against similar maintenance contracts for specialized electronic equipment is crucial to assess value.

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 result in higher costs compared to a competitive process. The rationale for sole-sourcing needs further investigation.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for this sole-source award, highlighting the need for strong justification to ensure fair pricing and value for money.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation of critical VA medical equipment. Potential for increased costs due to lack of competition. Impact on veteran healthcare services if equipment maintenance is delayed or overpriced.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award lacks competition.
Limited transparency on pricing justification.
Short contract duration may indicate a need for future, potentially larger, sole-source awards.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical maintenance need for VA equipment.
B. Braun Medical Inc. is an established provider.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT and healthcare support sector, specifically for the maintenance of electronic and precision equipment. Spending benchmarks for similar maintenance contracts are typically tied to the complexity and criticality of the equipment being serviced.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this sole-source award, which could represent a missed opportunity for small business participation in government contracting.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the VA is receiving fair pricing and that the necessity for a non-competitive award is well-documented and justified.

Related Government Programs

Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for overpricing
Limited small business participation
Oversight needed for sole-source justification
Short contract duration may indicate future sole-source needs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $12,160 to B. BRAUN MEDICAL INC. SYSTEM DIALOG MAINTENANCE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is B. BRAUN MEDICAL 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 $12,160.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-06-01. End: 2025-09-30.

What is the specific type of electronic and precision equipment being maintained, and what is the justification for B. Braun Medical Inc. being the sole provider?

The specific equipment is not detailed in the provided data. However, the justification for a sole-source award typically relates to proprietary technology, unique expertise, or critical compatibility requirements that only one vendor can meet. Further investigation into the VA's documentation would be needed to confirm the exact reasons for selecting B. Braun Medical Inc. without competition.

How does the per-unit cost of this maintenance contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar equipment, given it's a sole-source award?

Without specific per-unit cost data and detailed information on the equipment, a direct comparison is difficult. However, sole-source contracts are inherently at a higher risk of inflated pricing due to the absence of competitive pressure. The VA should have conducted a price analysis to ensure the awarded price is fair and reasonable, even without competition, by comparing it to historical data or similar sole-source contracts.

What is the potential impact on VA's operational effectiveness if this maintenance contract is not renewed or if the services are found to be inadequate?

If the maintenance services are critical for essential medical equipment, any inadequacy or interruption could directly impact the VA's ability to provide timely and effective healthcare to veterans. This could lead to delays in procedures, reduced diagnostic capabilities, and potentially compromise patient care. Ensuring robust performance standards and contingency plans is vital.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance › Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Ludwig G. Braun Gmbh U. CO. KG

Address: 824 12TH AVE, BETHLEHEM, PA, 18018

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,160

Exercised Options: $12,160

Current Obligation: $12,160

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline