VA awards $16.1K contract for power wheelchairs, highlighting need for durable medical equipment in Ohio

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,100 ($16.1K)

Contractor: Health AID of Ohio, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-05-04

Contract Duration: 31 days

Daily Burn Rate: $519/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: INVACARE TDX SP2 POWER WHEELCHAIR

Place of Performance

Location: CLEVELAND, CUYAHOGA County, OHIO, 44130

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $16,100 to HEALTH AID OF OHIO, INC. for work described as: INVACARE TDX SP2 POWER WHEELCHAIR Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential mobility device, addressing patient needs. 2. Single delivery order indicates a specific, immediate requirement. 3. Fixed-price contract type suggests predictable cost for the government. 4. Short duration implies a focused delivery or service period. 5. The awardee, Health Aid of Ohio, Inc., operates within the medical equipment supply sector. 6. This procurement falls under the broader category of durable medical equipment.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $16,100 for a single power wheelchair appears reasonable, especially considering the specialized nature of the equipment. Benchmarking against similar power wheelchair contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract helps mitigate cost overruns for the government. The specific model, INVACARE TDX SP2 POWER WHEELCHAIR, is a known product in the market, and its price should be comparable to other suppliers.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process is designed to foster a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and quality for the government. The fact that it was competed suggests that the Department of Veterans Affairs sought the best value available in the market for this specific power wheelchair.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by leveraging market forces to secure competitive pricing for essential medical equipment.

Public Impact

Veterans in Ohio requiring mobility assistance will benefit from this contract. The contract delivers a critical piece of durable medical equipment: a power wheelchair. The geographic impact is focused on Ohio, serving beneficiaries within the state. This procurement supports the healthcare needs of veterans, enhancing their quality of life and independence.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition if specialized models are required.
Dependence on a single awardee for this specific delivery order.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, maximizing potential vendor participation.
Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
Short contract duration suggests efficient procurement for an immediate need.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Healthcare sector, specifically the manufacturing and supply of durable medical equipment. The market for power wheelchairs is competitive, with numerous manufacturers and distributors. The Department of Veterans Affairs is a significant purchaser of such equipment, aiming to provide necessary assistive devices to veterans. Spending benchmarks for power wheelchairs can vary widely based on features and customization, but this award appears to be for a standard, high-quality model.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included a small business set-aside or if Health Aid of Ohio, Inc. is a small business. Without this information, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem. However, full and open competition generally allows for participation by businesses of all sizes, provided they meet the requirements.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for the oversight of this contract. Accountability is ensured through the terms of the firm fixed-price delivery order and the specified delivery timeline. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award data being publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to this procurement.

Related Government Programs

Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Services
Veterans Health Administration Procurement
Assistive Technology Contracts

Risk Flags

Short contract duration may limit thorough vetting.
Potential for price variations across multiple delivery orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $16,100 to HEALTH AID OF OHIO, INC.. INVACARE TDX SP2 POWER WHEELCHAIR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HEALTH AID OF OHIO, 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 $16,100.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-05-04.

What is the typical lifespan and maintenance cost associated with the INVACARE TDX SP2 POWER WHEELCHAIR?

The typical lifespan of a power wheelchair like the INVACARE TDX SP2 can range from 3 to 5 years, depending heavily on usage, maintenance, and the environment in which it is operated. Regular maintenance, including battery checks, tire inflation, and cleaning, is crucial for extending its life. Maintenance costs can vary, but may include battery replacements (a significant expense, often several hundred dollars), repairs for mechanical or electronic components, and routine servicing. The VA likely has established protocols for maintenance and repair of such equipment to ensure continued functionality for the veteran user.

How does the $16,100 award price compare to market rates for this specific power wheelchair model?

The $16,100 award price for the INVACARE TDX SP2 POWER WHEELCHAIR appears to be within a reasonable range for a high-end power wheelchair, though precise market comparisons require access to current retail pricing and potential volume discounts. Retail prices for similar models can fluctuate between $10,000 and $20,000 or more, depending on features, insurance coverage, and dealer markups. Given that this is a government contract awarded through full and open competition, the price likely reflects a competitive bid. Further analysis would involve comparing this price against recent government contracts for the same or comparable models to ascertain if it represents excellent, good, or fair value.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used by the VA to evaluate the success of this contract?

Key performance indicators for this contract would likely focus on timely delivery of the power wheelchair in accordance with the specified requirements and quality standards. Success would be measured by the wheelchair meeting all technical specifications outlined in the solicitation and being delivered within the short performance period (May 4, 2026). Additionally, user satisfaction and the wheelchair's ability to meet the veteran's mobility needs would be critical, though these might be assessed post-delivery through follow-up evaluations or feedback mechanisms. Ensuring the equipment is fully functional and meets all safety standards is paramount.

What is the historical spending pattern of the Department of Veterans Affairs on power wheelchairs?

The Department of Veterans Affairs is a significant purchaser of durable medical equipment, including power wheelchairs, to support the healthcare needs of veterans. Historical spending data would likely show consistent procurement of these devices across various VA facilities nationwide. The total annual spending on power wheelchairs can fluctuate based on veteran population growth, technological advancements in mobility aids, and budget allocations. Analyzing past contracts would reveal trends in award values, types of wheelchairs procured (e.g., standard vs. custom), and the primary contracting vehicles used, such as prime vendor contracts or individual delivery orders like this one.

What are the potential risks associated with procuring specialized medical equipment like power wheelchairs through delivery orders?

Procuring specialized medical equipment like power wheelchairs through individual delivery orders, even under a larger contract vehicle, carries certain risks. One risk is ensuring consistent pricing and availability across multiple orders if the base contract isn't robustly managed. There's also a risk of suboptimal pricing if competition for individual delivery orders is limited, despite the initial full and open competition for the base contract. Furthermore, ensuring the specific model meets evolving clinical needs and technological standards can be a challenge. The short duration of this specific delivery order suggests a need for rapid fulfillment, which could potentially limit the time for thorough vetting or customization if required.

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: 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: 6940 ENGLE RD STE A, MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OH, 44130

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,100

Exercised Options: $16,100

Current Obligation: $16,100

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36F79726D0070

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline