VA awards $15.9M contract for artificial limbs to Wright & Filippis, LLC, with no competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,938 ($15.9K)

Contractor: Wright & Filippis, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2026-05-29

Contract Duration: 53 days

Daily Burn Rate: $301/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: VISN 10 ARTIFICIAL LIMBS

Place of Performance

Location: ROCHESTER HILLS, OAKLAND County, MICHIGAN, 48309

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $15,937.84 to WRIGHT & FILIPPIS, LLC for work described as: VISN 10 ARTIFICIAL LIMBS Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, raising questions about potential cost savings through competition. 2. The contract duration of 53 days is unusually short for a significant procurement of this nature. 3. The fixed-price contract type offers some cost certainty but may limit flexibility if needs change. 4. The primary contractor, Wright & Filippis, LLC, is located in Michigan, aligning with the service area. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 339113 indicates a focus on surgical appliance manufacturing.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to the lack of competitive bids and the short duration. Without a competitive process, it's difficult to ascertain if the fixed price represents a fair market value for artificial limbs and related supplies. The VA's spending on artificial limbs can vary significantly based on veteran needs and technological advancements, making direct comparisons difficult without more detailed service scope.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was awarded as a sole-source BPA call. This indicates that the Department of Veterans Affairs did not solicit offers from multiple potential suppliers. The lack of competition means there was no opportunity to explore a range of pricing options or to leverage market forces to achieve the best possible value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price for these essential medical supplies due to the absence of a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

Veterans in VISN 10, particularly those in Michigan, will benefit from the continued availability of artificial limbs and related surgical appliances. The contract ensures the provision of necessary medical devices for veterans requiring prosthetic support. The geographic impact is focused on Michigan, where the contractor is based and likely serves the veteran population.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Short contract duration raises questions about long-term planning and potential for disruption.
Sole-source award limits transparency in pricing and vendor selection.

Positive Signals

Ensures continued access to essential medical devices for veterans.
Contract is with an established supplier, potentially reducing immediate supply chain risks.

Sector Analysis

The market for surgical appliances and artificial limbs is a specialized segment within the broader healthcare manufacturing industry. Companies in this sector focus on designing, producing, and distributing prosthetic devices, orthotic devices, and other medical equipment. Spending in this area is driven by healthcare needs, technological innovation, and government healthcare programs like the VA. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing contracts for similar prosthetic devices across different federal agencies or large healthcare systems.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides or subcontracting opportunities. The award was made directly to Wright & Filippis, LLC, and information regarding small business participation is not provided. This suggests that the primary focus was on fulfilling the immediate need for artificial limbs rather than specifically promoting small business engagement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' procurement and program management offices. As a sole-source award, scrutiny may focus on the justification for not competing the requirement. Transparency is limited by the lack of a competitive process. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected in the contract's execution or award.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Supplies
Prosthetic and Orthotic Devices Procurement
Federal Healthcare Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Unusually short contract duration for the value.
Potential for inflated pricing due to lack of competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $15,937.84 to WRIGHT & FILIPPIS, LLC. VISN 10 ARTIFICIAL LIMBS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WRIGHT & FILIPPIS, 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 $15,937.84.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-05-29.

What is the historical spending pattern of the VA for artificial limbs in VISN 10?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for artificial limbs within VISN 10 is crucial for understanding the context of this $15.9 million award. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to determine if this amount represents an increase, decrease, or stable expenditure compared to previous periods. Factors such as changes in veteran population, new prosthetic technologies, and evolving medical needs can influence spending. A review of past contracts, including their values, durations, and awarded vendors, would provide insight into whether this current sole-source award aligns with or deviates from established spending trends. Understanding this history can help assess if the current price is reasonable and if the sole-source nature is a departure from previous competitive practices.

What specific types of artificial limbs and related supplies are covered under this contract?

The contract, valued at $15.9 million, is for 'VISN 10 ARTIFICIAL LIMBS.' However, the specific details regarding the types of artificial limbs and associated supplies are not explicitly provided in the summary data. This could range from basic prosthetic components to advanced, customized artificial limbs for various body parts (e.g., legs, arms). Related supplies might include maintenance kits, fitting materials, or accessories. A comprehensive understanding requires reviewing the full contract statement of work (SOW) or performance work statement (PWS). Without this, it's challenging to assess the scope of services, the complexity of the devices, and to benchmark pricing effectively against similar procurements for specific prosthetic types.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' and awarded as a 'BPA CALL,' suggesting a sole-source or limited competition scenario. Federal procurement regulations allow for sole-source awards under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services, or in cases of urgent and compelling need. For this contract, the justification for not conducting a full and open competition would typically be documented by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Without access to this justification, it is impossible to definitively state why a competitive process was bypassed. This lack of competition raises concerns about potential price inflation and limits the government's ability to ensure it is obtaining the best value.

How does the contractor, Wright & Filippis, LLC, perform on other federal contracts?

Assessing the performance history of Wright & Filippis, LLC on other federal contracts is essential for evaluating the reliability and value proposition of this $15.9 million award. Information on past performance, such as contract completion timeliness, quality of goods/services, and adherence to terms, would provide critical context. A review of their contract history with the VA and other agencies could reveal patterns of success or challenges. Positive past performance might lend confidence to the current sole-source award, suggesting the VA has confidence in their ability to deliver. Conversely, a history of issues could amplify concerns about the lack of competition and the potential risks associated with this contract.

What is the typical duration for contracts of this nature, and why is this one so short?

The contract has a duration of 53 days (from May 29, 2026, to April 6, 2026 - note: the end date appears earlier than the start date, which is likely a data entry error and should be reviewed). This is an exceptionally short period for a contract valued at $15.9 million for artificial limbs. Typically, contracts for medical supplies and equipment, especially those with significant dollar values, are awarded for longer terms, often spanning one to five years, with options for renewal. Such short durations can indicate an emergency procurement, a stop-gap measure to bridge a gap until a longer-term contract can be awarded, or potentially a very specific, limited-scope need. The brevity raises questions about the overall strategy for ensuring a consistent and cost-effective supply of artificial limbs for VISN 10 veterans.

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: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2845 CROOKS RD, ROCHESTER HILLS, MI, 48309

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,938

Exercised Options: $15,938

Current Obligation: $15,938

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C77622A0010

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline