VA awards $18.3M contract for surgical appliances, with a 31-day performance period

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,301 ($18.3K)

Contractor: Veteran Mobility Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2026-05-07

Contract Duration: 31 days

Daily Burn Rate: $590/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: PWC

Place of Performance

Location: INDIAN TRAIL, UNION County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28079

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $18,300.77 to VETERAN MOBILITY SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: PWC Key points: 1. Contract awarded to VETERAN MOBILITY SOLUTIONS LLC for surgical appliances. 2. The contract value is $18.3 million. 3. Performance period is short, spanning 31 days. 4. The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures). 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 339113. 6. The Product Service Code (PSC) is not specified, but the NAICS code indicates manufacturing of surgical appliances and supplies. 7. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price. 8. The award was made by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $18.3 million for a 31-day period suggests a high daily burn rate, potentially indicating specialized or high-demand items. Without specific details on the quantity and type of surgical appliances, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the short duration might imply an urgent need or a bridge contract. Benchmarking against similar short-term, high-value procurements for medical supplies would be necessary for a more precise evaluation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for less formal competition than full and open procedures. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP is generally used for procurements under the micro-purchase threshold or for those where competition is limited due to specific circumstances. This level of competition may not yield the most favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP may result in higher prices for taxpayers compared to a fully competed contract, as the pool of potential offerors is often smaller.

Public Impact

Veterans will benefit from the provision of surgical appliances and supplies. The contract supports the manufacturing sector for medical devices. The geographic impact is primarily linked to the contractor's location in North Carolina and the delivery points for the VA. Workforce implications are related to the manufacturing and distribution of these specialized medical supplies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Short performance period (31 days) for a significant dollar amount ($18.3M) raises questions about the urgency and potential for rushed delivery or quality control issues.
Competition under SAP limits the number of potential bidders, which could lead to suboptimal pricing for taxpayers.
Lack of detailed product specifications makes it difficult to assess the true value and necessity of the procurement.

Positive Signals

Award to a specific company (VETERAN MOBILITY SOLUTIONS LLC) indicates a targeted approach to meeting a need.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Contract is managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, suggesting a focus on supporting veteran healthcare needs.

Sector Analysis

The surgical appliance and supplies manufacturing sector (NAICS 339113) is a critical component of the healthcare industry, encompassing a wide range of products from simple bandages to complex prosthetic devices. This contract, valued at $18.3 million over a short period, falls within this sector. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing annual VA spending on similar medical supplies or the total federal expenditure on NAICS 339113 to understand the scale of this award within the broader market.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on the small business ecosystem would be through potential subcontracting opportunities, which are not detailed here. Without a small business set-aside, larger businesses or those with established supply chains are more likely to be awarded these types of contracts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting and program management offices. As a purchase order under SAP, the oversight might be less intensive than for larger, more complex contracts. Transparency is limited by the information provided; however, the contract details are publicly available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Supplies
Federal Healthcare Procurement
Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing
Simplified Acquisition Procedures Contracts

Risk Flags

High dollar value for a short performance period
Limited competition due to SAP procedures

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $18,300.77 to VETERAN MOBILITY SOLUTIONS LLC. PWC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VETERAN MOBILITY SOLUTIONS 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 $18,300.77.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-05-07.

What is the specific nature of the surgical appliances being procured under this contract?

The provided data specifies the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code as 339113, which corresponds to 'Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing.' This broad category includes items such as artificial limbs, braces, trusses, surgical stockings, medical and orthopedic appliances, and other related supplies. However, the specific list of items, quantities, and technical specifications for this $18.3 million contract are not detailed in the provided data. Further investigation into the contract's statement of work or associated documentation would be required to identify the precise surgical appliances being procured.

How does the $18.3 million value compare to typical annual spending for surgical appliances by the VA?

To assess how the $18.3 million value compares to typical annual spending for surgical appliances by the VA, one would need to analyze historical VA procurement data for NAICS code 339113 or specific product service codes related to surgical appliances over several fiscal years. Without access to this historical data, it's difficult to definitively state whether this award represents a significant increase, decrease, or is in line with past spending patterns. The short 31-day performance period for such a substantial amount suggests it might be for a specific, urgent need or a large, one-time purchase rather than routine annual replenishment.

What are the potential risks associated with a 31-day performance period for an $18.3 million contract?

A 31-day performance period for an $18.3 million contract presents several potential risks. Firstly, it implies an extremely high daily expenditure rate, which could indicate the procurement of highly specialized, expensive, or urgently needed items. This urgency might lead to rushed production or delivery, potentially compromising quality control. Secondly, the short timeframe could strain the contractor's ability to meet demand, leading to potential delays or shortages if not managed meticulously. Finally, from a government oversight perspective, such a compressed timeline for a large value contract requires intensive monitoring to ensure timely delivery, adherence to specifications, and proper financial accountability.

What does 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' imply for the competition level and potential cost savings?

'COMPETED UNDER SAP' signifies that the contract was awarded using Simplified Acquisition Procedures. SAP is generally used for purchases below the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000, though this can be higher for certain agencies or circumstances) or for other specific justifications. While it allows for more streamlined procurement, it typically involves a smaller pool of potential bidders compared to full and open competition. This reduced competition can sometimes lead to less aggressive pricing, potentially resulting in higher costs for the government and taxpayers than if the contract had been broadly advertised and competed.

What is the significance of the contract being 'FIRM FIXED PRICE'?

A 'FIRM FIXED PRICE' (FFP) contract type means that the contractor agrees to a total price for the supplies or services delivered, regardless of the actual costs incurred. This contract type offers the greatest cost certainty for the buyer (the VA in this case). The risk of cost overruns is borne entirely by the contractor. For the VA, this means they know the exact amount they will pay, assuming the contractor fulfills all contract terms. This is generally preferred for procurements where the scope of work is well-defined and the risk of unforeseen costs is manageable.

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: 2008 ATHERTON DR, INDIAN TRAIL, NC, 28079

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,301

Exercised Options: $18,301

Current Obligation: $18,301

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline