VA Awards $443K for Chip Separator, Sole Source to Satisfloh North America

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $44,300 ($44.3K)

Contractor: Satisloh North America Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-12-18

End Date: 2026-05-15

Contract Duration: 148 days

Daily Burn Rate: $299/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: CHIP SEPARATOR DUAL EU AND INSTALLATION

Place of Performance

Location: GERMANTOWN, WASHINGTON County, WISCONSIN, 53022

State: Wisconsin Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $44,300 to SATISLOH NORTH AMERICA INC for work described as: CHIP SEPARATOR DUAL EU AND INSTALLATION Key points: 1. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded a $443,000 contract for a chip separator and installation. 2. The contract was awarded sole-source, raising questions about potential price inflation and lack of competition. 3. The goods fall under the Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing NAICS code, suggesting a specialized medical device. 4. The contract duration is 148 days, indicating a relatively short-term project.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if $443,000 is a fair price for this chip separator and installation. Benchmarking against similar ophthalmic equipment contracts is needed.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, meaning the VA did not solicit offers from multiple vendors. This limits price discovery and may lead to higher costs than a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the lack of competition, as the VA did not explore potentially lower-cost options from other suppliers.

Public Impact

Veterans may benefit from improved ophthalmic care through new equipment. The sole-source award limits transparency and potential cost savings for taxpayers. Specialized medical equipment procurement processes are critical for ensuring value for money.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Potential for overpayment due to lack of price discovery.
Limited transparency in procurement process.

Positive Signals

Contract supports VA's mission to provide healthcare to veterans.
Specific equipment may address a critical need.

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls under Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (NAICS 339115). Spending in this sector is driven by healthcare needs and technological advancements in medical devices. Benchmarks for similar specialized equipment are essential for evaluating value.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Satisfloh North America Inc. and was not competed. There is no indication if small businesses were considered or subcontracted, which warrants further investigation.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award necessitates robust oversight to ensure the price is fair and reasonable and that the equipment meets the VA's needs effectively. Documentation justifying the sole-source decision is crucial.

Related Government Programs

Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of price competition
Potential for inflated pricing
Limited transparency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $44,300 to SATISLOH NORTH AMERICA INC. CHIP SEPARATOR DUAL EU AND INSTALLATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SATISLOH NORTH AMERICA 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 $44,300.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-18. End: 2026-05-15.

What is the specific functionality and necessity of this 'CHIP SEPARATOR DUAL EU' that justifies a sole-source award?

The necessity of the 'CHIP SEPARATOR DUAL EU' is not detailed in the provided data. A sole-source award typically requires justification that only one vendor can provide the unique capability or that an emergency situation exists. Further investigation into the VA's justification for this sole-source procurement is needed to understand its specific role in ophthalmic procedures and why alternatives were not considered.

What is the benchmark pricing for similar ophthalmic chip separators and installation services in the federal market?

Without access to a comprehensive database of federal contract awards for highly specialized ophthalmic equipment, establishing a precise benchmark is challenging. However, the absence of competition for this $443,000 contract raises a red flag. A thorough market research analysis would be required to identify comparable contracts and assess if this price is competitive or inflated.

What is the potential impact on veteran care if this specific chip separator is not procured competitively?

If the chip separator is critical for advanced ophthalmic procedures, a sole-source award might delay or limit access to necessary treatments for veterans if the chosen vendor has supply chain issues or if the price is significantly higher than market rates, diverting funds from other essential services. Ensuring the equipment is procured at a fair price is key to maximizing the benefit to veteran care.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing › Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL/DENTAL/VETERINARY EQPT/SUPP

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 36C25026Q0163

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: N106W13131 BRADLEY WAY, GERMANTOWN, WI, 53022

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $44,300

Exercised Options: $44,300

Current Obligation: $44,300

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline