VA awards $29.9M contract for stairlifts, highlighting need for mobility assistance in healthcare

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,944 ($29.9K)

Contractor: T & T Technology Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-05-01

Contract Duration: 30 days

Daily Burn Rate: $998/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: STAIRGLIDE

Place of Performance

Location: RALEIGH, WAKE County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27609

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $29,944.39 to T & T TECHNOLOGY INC for work described as: STAIRGLIDE Key points: 1. Contract awarded to T & T TECHNOLOGY INC for stairlift services. 2. The contract duration is 30 days, suggesting a short-term need or a pilot program. 3. Awarded under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), indicating a focus on smaller value procurements. 4. The contract is Firm Fixed Price, providing cost certainty for the government. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 339113 points to Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing. 6. The contract was competed, suggesting a degree of market engagement. 7. The award was made to a single vendor, T & T TECHNOLOGY INC. 8. The contract is not set aside for small businesses.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific contract is challenging without more detailed service descriptions and comparable contract data. However, the award amount of $29.9 million for a 30-day period for stairlifts appears exceptionally high on a daily basis. This suggests either a very large quantity of units or a misunderstanding of the scope. Further analysis is needed to determine if this represents a fair price for the services rendered or if it indicates potential overpricing or an unusual service requirement.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically allows for a broader range of competition than sole-source awards but may have streamlined processes. The data indicates one award was made, but the number of bids received during the competition is not specified. A competitive process, even under SAP, generally aims to achieve fair market prices through vendor proposals.

Taxpayer Impact: A competed award suggests that taxpayers likely benefited from a more competitive pricing environment compared to a sole-source procurement, potentially leading to cost savings.

Public Impact

Veterans requiring mobility assistance will benefit from the provision of stairlifts. The services delivered are related to surgical appliances and supplies, specifically mobility aids. The contract is managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, indicating a focus on healthcare for veterans. The geographic impact is likely concentrated in North Carolina, where the vendor is located, or wherever VA facilities require these services. The contract may have implications for the workforce involved in the installation, maintenance, and supply of stairlifts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The high dollar amount for a short duration raises concerns about potential overspending or an unclear scope of work.
Lack of detail on the number of bids received during the competition makes it difficult to fully assess the competitiveness.
The contract is not a small business set-aside, which could limit opportunities for smaller specialized firms.

Positive Signals

The contract was competed, indicating an effort to engage the market and secure competitive offers.
The award is Firm Fixed Price, providing budget certainty for the VA.
The contract addresses a critical need for mobility assistance for veterans.

Sector Analysis

The market for surgical appliances and supplies, particularly mobility aids like stairlifts, is a significant segment within the broader healthcare industry. This contract falls under the manufacturing of such devices. The federal government, especially agencies like the VA, represents a substantial customer base for these types of products and services, often procuring them through competitive bidding processes to meet the needs of beneficiaries.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, meaning it was open to all eligible vendors, including large corporations. While this ensures a wide pool of potential suppliers, it may limit direct opportunities for small businesses unless they are part of a larger subcontracting effort. The impact on the small business ecosystem depends on whether T & T TECHNOLOGY INC utilizes small business subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. As a purchase order awarded under SAP, oversight mechanisms might be streamlined but would still involve contract administration to ensure compliance with terms and conditions. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, but specific details on performance monitoring and accountability measures would be found in the contract itself.

Related Government Programs

Veterans Health Administration Medical Care Programs
Durable Medical Equipment
Home Health Services
Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Contracts

Risk Flags

High contract value for short duration
Lack of detail on number of bids received
Potential for high per-unit cost

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $29,944.39 to T & T TECHNOLOGY INC. STAIRGLIDE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is T & T TECHNOLOGY 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 $29,944.39.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-05-01.

What is the specific scope of services or products covered by this $29.9 million purchase order for stairlifts, given its 30-day duration?

The provided data indicates a 30-day duration for this $29.9 million purchase order for stairlifts, awarded to T & T TECHNOLOGY INC. The high value for such a short period suggests an exceptionally large quantity of units, potentially for a large-scale deployment, emergency need, or a specific project requiring immediate and extensive installation of mobility aids across multiple VA facilities. Without further details on the contract's statement of work, it's difficult to ascertain the exact services. It could encompass the supply, installation, and perhaps initial maintenance of a significant number of stairlifts to address urgent mobility challenges for veterans. The NAICS code 339113 (Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing) supports the product category but doesn't detail the service aspect.

How does the per-unit cost of these stairlifts compare to market rates or similar government contracts?

Benchmarking the per-unit cost for this contract is not feasible with the provided data. The total award of $29.9 million over 30 days for stairlifts is exceptionally high, suggesting either a massive quantity of units or a very high per-unit cost. Without knowing the number of units or the specific type of stairlifts (e.g., residential, commercial, custom), a direct comparison to market rates or other federal contracts is impossible. If this represents a large number of standard units, the implied per-unit cost would be significantly above typical market prices, warranting further investigation into the contract's specifics, potential for custom features, or the scope of associated services like installation and maintenance.

What was the competitive landscape for this contract, and how many bids were received?

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), indicating that it was not a sole-source award and multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. However, the specific number of bids received is not detailed in the provided data. While 'competed' suggests a process involving more than one offer, the effectiveness of this competition in driving down prices cannot be fully assessed without knowing the number of bidders and the range of their proposals. SAP is designed for procurements below certain thresholds, aiming for efficiency while still encouraging competition.

What is the track record of T & T TECHNOLOGY INC in fulfilling government contracts, particularly for mobility devices?

Information regarding the specific track record of T & T TECHNOLOGY INC in fulfilling government contracts, especially for mobility devices, is not available in the provided data snippet. To assess their past performance, one would typically need to consult federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for contract history, past performance reviews, and any reported issues or successes. Without this historical data, it's challenging to evaluate their reliability and experience in delivering similar products or services to the government.

Are there any specific performance risks associated with this contract, such as delivery delays or quality issues?

Potential performance risks for this contract could include delivery delays or quality issues, especially given the high value and short duration, which might indicate a complex or large-scale deployment. The fact that it's a Firm Fixed Price contract shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor, but quality and timely delivery remain key performance areas. The Department of Veterans Affairs would typically monitor these aspects through contract administration. Without specific performance history for T & T TECHNOLOGY INC or details on the contract's quality assurance surveillance plan, it's difficult to pinpoint concrete risks beyond general concerns associated with large, time-sensitive procurements.

How does this spending on stairlifts compare to historical VA spending on similar mobility aids or assistive technologies?

Comparing this $29.9 million, 30-day contract for stairlifts to historical VA spending requires access to historical procurement data for similar items. The VA is a major purchaser of durable medical equipment and assistive technologies to support veterans' healthcare needs. A single, large award like this could represent a significant portion of annual spending on stairlifts if it's for a widespread initiative, or it could be an outlier if it's for a specific, large-scale project. Analyzing trends in VA spending on mobility aids over several fiscal years would provide context on whether this award is typical, an increase, or a decrease in investment.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3509 HAWORTH DR, RALEIGH, NC, 27609

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,944

Exercised Options: $29,944

Current Obligation: $29,944

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline