VA awards $43.5M contract for surgical appliances to Barnhardt Mobility LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $43,452 ($43.5K)

Contractor: Barnhardt Mobility LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2026-05-08

Contract Duration: 32 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: LIFTS

Place of Performance

Location: WILMINGTON, NEW HANOVER County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28409

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $43,451.64 to BARNHARDT MOBILITY LLC for work described as: LIFTS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Barnhardt Mobility LLC for surgical appliances. 2. The contract is valued at $43.5 million. 3. Awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs. 4. Contract duration is 32 days. 5. NAICS code 339113 indicates Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $43.5 million for a 32-day period appears high. Benchmarking against similar contracts for surgical appliances is difficult without more specific product details and duration comparisons.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a limited competition environment. This method may not yield the best price discovery compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP may result in a higher cost to taxpayers if more competitive bids were not solicited.

Public Impact

Veterans will receive essential surgical appliances. The contract supports a specific manufacturing sector. The short duration suggests a focused need for these supplies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

High contract value for a short duration.
Limited competition under SAP.
Lack of detailed product specification for benchmarking.

Positive Signals

Supports veteran healthcare needs.
Awarded to a specific manufacturer.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing sector. Spending in this sector is critical for healthcare services, particularly for government agencies like the VA.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if Barnhardt Mobility LLC is a small business. Further analysis is needed to determine the impact on small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for oversight of this contract. Standard procurement regulations and contract management practices should ensure accountability.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for overpricing due to limited competition.
High cost relative to contract duration.
Lack of transparency on specific items procured.
Need for justification of SAP usage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $43,451.64 to BARNHARDT MOBILITY LLC. LIFTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BARNHARDT MOBILITY 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 $43,451.64.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-05-08.

What is the specific breakdown of surgical appliances being procured and their unit costs?

The provided data lacks specific details on the types and quantities of surgical appliances. A detailed breakdown is crucial for accurate cost analysis and to understand the value proposition. Without this, it's challenging to assess if the $43.5 million is justified for the 32-day period.

What were the justifications for using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) instead of full and open competition?

Using SAP typically implies that the acquisition is expected to cost less than the simplified acquisition threshold, or that market research indicated limited sources. The justification for limited competition needs to be clearly documented to ensure fair pricing and prevent potential overspending.

How does the pricing compare to industry benchmarks for similar surgical appliance contracts?

Benchmarking is difficult without specific product details and contract terms. The high value for a short duration raises questions. A thorough review of historical VA contracts and industry pricing for comparable items is necessary to determine if this contract represents good value for taxpayer money.

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: 1624 SOUND WATCH DR, WILMINGTON, NC, 28409

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $43,452

Exercised Options: $43,452

Current Obligation: $43,452

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline