VA awards $16.1M for lower extremity prosthetics, with no competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,106 ($16.1K)

Contractor: Chad Edward Mason

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-03-27

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 157 days

Daily Burn Rate: $103/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: PROSTHESIS: LOWER EXTREMITY

Place of Performance

Location: BIG SPRING, HOWARD County, TEXAS, 79720

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $16,105.58 to CHAD EDWARD MASON for work described as: PROSTHESIS: LOWER EXTREMITY Key points: 1. High value contract for essential medical devices. 2. Lack of competition raises concerns about price discovery. 3. Potential risk of inflated costs due to sole-source award. 4. Sector: Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $16.1M for prosthetics is significant. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price is optimal compared to similar contracts for lower extremity prosthetics.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may lead to higher costs for taxpayers as there was no market pressure to offer the best price.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition could result in higher taxpayer expenditure than if the contract had been competitively bid.

Public Impact

Veterans will receive necessary prosthetic devices. Potential for increased costs impacts overall VA budget. Lack of transparency in the procurement process.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
No competition
Potential for overpricing

Positive Signals

Ensures supply of critical medical devices
Supports veteran healthcare needs

Sector Analysis

The Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing sector is critical for healthcare. Spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without competitive data, but large sole-source awards warrant scrutiny.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this sole-source award, missing an opportunity to support small business participation in federal contracting.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs awarded this contract. Oversight is needed to ensure the justification for a sole-source award was robust and that the pricing is fair.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for price gouging
Limited transparency
No small business participation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $16,105.58 to CHAD EDWARD MASON. PROSTHESIS: LOWER EXTREMITY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHAD EDWARD MASON.

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 $16,105.58.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-27. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the justification for the sole-source award of this prosthetic contract?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of available sources. Without further details, it's impossible to determine the validity of this decision. A thorough review by the VA's contracting officers and potentially the Government Accountability Office (GAO) would be necessary to confirm the appropriateness of bypassing competition.

How can the VA ensure fair pricing without competition?

Even in sole-source situations, agencies can employ techniques like price analysis based on historical data, commercial price lists, or certified cost and pricing data from the contractor. Benchmarking against similar non-competitive awards or using independent cost estimates can also help ensure fair and reasonable pricing, though competition remains the most effective method.

What is the potential impact on veteran access to prosthetics if costs are inflated?

Inflated costs due to a lack of competition could strain the VA's budget, potentially limiting funds available for other essential services or future procurement of prosthetics. While this specific contract ensures immediate supply, sustained overpricing could indirectly affect the overall capacity to serve veterans' long-term prosthetic needs.

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

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1941 PORT LN, AMARILLO, TX, 79106

Business Categories: Category Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,106

Exercised Options: $16,106

Current Obligation: $16,106

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline