VA Awards $245K Contract for Air Mattresses to Blue Chip Medical Products, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $245,000 ($245.0K)

Contractor: Blue Chip Medical Products, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2027-04-08

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $673/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: AIR MATTRESSES

Place of Performance

Location: SUFFERN, ROCKLAND County, NEW YORK, 10901

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $245,000 to BLUE CHIP MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC. for work described as: AIR MATTRESSES Key points: 1. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is procuring air mattresses, a common medical supply. 2. The contract was awarded using full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The primary risk appears to be the potential for overpricing if competition was not robust. 4. The sector is Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing, a niche but essential area.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $245,000 for a 364-day duration is moderate. Benchmarking against similar contracts for air mattresses is necessary to determine if the pricing is competitive, as specific per-unit costs are not provided.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically allows for the widest range of potential bidders and can lead to better price discovery. However, the effectiveness of this competition depends on the number and quality of bids received.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is likely minimized due to the competitive bidding process, but the final price paid will determine the exact value for money.

Public Impact

Veterans will receive essential medical equipment, improving their care and comfort. The contract supports a company within the medical device manufacturing sector. Transparency in the procurement process ensures public trust in government spending.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 67 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific per-unit cost data for detailed price analysis.
Potential for price inflation if competition was limited in practice despite 'full and open' designation.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, maximizing potential bidder pool.
Contract duration is reasonable for the specified supplies.
Clear end date for the contract.

Sector Analysis

The Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing sector is critical for healthcare delivery. Spending in this area is generally stable, driven by ongoing healthcare needs. Benchmarks for air mattress procurement vary widely based on features and quantity.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had an opportunity to compete or if set-aside goals were met through other contract vehicles.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms should ensure compliance and accountability throughout the contract period.

Related Government Programs

Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for price overpayment if competition was not robust.
Lack of detailed cost breakdown for per-unit analysis.
No indication of small business participation.
Dependence on a single supplier for a critical medical item.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $245,000 to BLUE CHIP MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC.. AIR MATTRESSES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BLUE CHIP MEDICAL PRODUCTS, 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 $245,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2027-04-08.

What is the average per-unit cost for similar air mattresses procured by the government or healthcare systems?

Determining the average per-unit cost requires access to a broader dataset of government and commercial procurements for air mattresses with comparable features and specifications. Without this benchmark, it's difficult to definitively assess if the $245,000 award represents optimal value for the VA. Factors like bulk discounts, specific technological features, and warranty terms significantly influence per-unit pricing.

How many bids were received, and what was the price range of those bids?

Knowing the number of bids received and their respective prices is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of the 'full and open competition' method. A low number of bids or a wide price disparity could indicate underlying issues with the solicitation, market conditions, or the perceived value proposition. This information would provide a clearer picture of the price discovery achieved.

Are there alternative or more cost-effective solutions for patient support surfaces that the VA considered?

Exploring alternative solutions is key to ensuring long-term value and innovation. The VA should continuously assess emerging technologies or different types of support surfaces that might offer improved patient outcomes or cost savings compared to traditional air mattresses. This proactive approach ensures taxpayer funds are used efficiently and effectively.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing › Surgical and Medical Instrument 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: 7 11 SUFFERN PL STE 2, SUFFERN, NY, 10901

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $245,000

Exercised Options: $245,000

Current Obligation: $245,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36F79720D0117

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline