VA awards $15.5M contract for vertical platform lifts to Mobility Plus, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,477 ($15.5K)

Contractor: Mobility Plus, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-03-31

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 30 days

Daily Burn Rate: $516/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: VERTICAL PLATFORM LIFT

Place of Performance

Location: GALESBURG, KALAMAZOO County, MICHIGAN, 49053

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $15,477 to MOBILITY PLUS, LLC for work described as: VERTICAL PLATFORM LIFT Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration is 30 months, indicating a medium-term need for these supplies. 3. The primary contractor, Mobility Plus, LLC, is based in Michigan. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 339113 points to a specialized manufacturing sector. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 6. This award represents a significant investment in medical equipment for veterans. 7. The delivery order mechanism suggests this is part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar framework.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

Benchmarking the value of this contract requires more detailed cost breakdowns and comparisons to similar vertical platform lift procurements. However, the firm fixed-price structure is generally favorable for the government, locking in costs. The award amount of $15.5 million over 30 months suggests a substantial commitment, and its value will be further assessed against the specific needs and quantities of lifts required by the VA.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This method typically fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and quality. The number of bidders is not specified, but the use of this procurement method suggests a healthy level of interest from the market.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to offer their best prices and terms, leading to a more cost-effective outcome for government spending.

Public Impact

Veterans requiring mobility assistance will benefit from the provision of vertical platform lifts. The contract supports the Department of Veterans Affairs' mission to provide comprehensive healthcare and support services. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, serving veterans across various VA facilities and potentially in their homes. The contract supports jobs within the medical equipment manufacturing and supply chain sectors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases in future contract renewals if competition diminishes.
Dependence on a single supplier for a critical medical device could pose a risk if the supplier faces production or financial issues.
Ensuring timely delivery and installation across potentially numerous VA facilities requires robust logistical oversight.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, maximizing market participation.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract duration of 30 months allows for sustained provision of essential equipment.
The specialized nature of the product suggests a focus on meeting specific veteran needs.

Sector Analysis

The market for medical devices, including mobility aids like vertical platform lifts, is a significant segment within the broader healthcare industry. This contract falls under the Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing sector (NAICS 339113). The demand for such equipment is driven by an aging population and increased awareness of accessibility needs. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other government contracts for similar mobility devices or medical equipment for healthcare facilities.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside criterion for this particular award. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses as awardees is unlikely. However, the prime contractor, Mobility Plus, LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors for components or services, which would need further investigation to assess the broader impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, including delivery schedules and product specifications. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract is suspected or reported.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Equipment Procurement
Durable Medical Equipment Contracts
Accessibility Aids for Disabled Veterans
Healthcare Supply Chain Management
Medical Device Manufacturing Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions affecting delivery timelines.
Ensuring compliance with evolving accessibility standards.
Contractor's capacity to scale production if demand increases unexpectedly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $15,477 to MOBILITY PLUS, LLC. VERTICAL PLATFORM LIFT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MOBILITY PLUS, 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 $15,477.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-31. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the track record of Mobility Plus, LLC in fulfilling government contracts, particularly for the VA?

A thorough review of federal procurement databases (e.g., FPDS, SAM.gov) would be necessary to assess Mobility Plus, LLC's track record. This would involve examining past contract awards, performance evaluations (if available), any history of contract modifications, disputes, or terminations. Understanding their performance on similar medical equipment contracts, especially with the Department of Veterans Affairs, would provide crucial insights into their reliability and capability to meet the requirements of this $15.5 million award.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar vertical platform lifts?

To benchmark the value, one would need to compare the per-unit cost or total contract value against industry pricing data for vertical platform lifts of comparable specifications and volume. This involves researching commercial price lists, analyzing pricing from other government contracts (especially those awarded under similar competitive conditions), and potentially consulting with subject matter experts. The firm fixed-price nature of this contract provides cost certainty, but understanding if the negotiated price represents good value requires external market validation.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential delays in delivery and installation, ensuring the lifts meet all VA specifications and accessibility standards, and the contractor's financial stability or production capacity. Mitigation strategies likely involve clear performance metrics in the contract, regular progress reviews, quality assurance checks, and potentially performance bonds. The firm fixed-price structure mitigates cost overrun risks for the government, but risks related to performance and quality remain.

How effective is the VA in managing contracts for specialized medical equipment like vertical platform lifts?

The effectiveness of the VA's contract management for specialized medical equipment can be assessed by examining historical data on contract performance, delivery timeliness, and user satisfaction (veteran feedback). Factors such as the expertise of contracting officers, the robustness of oversight mechanisms, and the clarity of contract requirements play a significant role. Analyzing the outcomes of past similar contracts, including any challenges encountered and resolved, would provide a basis for evaluating the VA's management capabilities in this area.

What has been the historical spending pattern for vertical platform lifts by the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Analyzing historical spending data for vertical platform lifts by the VA would reveal trends in procurement volume, average contract values, and the number of awards over time. This could indicate whether spending is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, and whether the VA relies on a few large contracts or numerous smaller ones. Understanding these patterns helps contextualize the current $15.5 million award within the VA's broader procurement strategy for mobility aids.

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: 9406 E K AVE STE 1, GALESBURG, MI, 49053

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,477

Exercised Options: $15,477

Current Obligation: $15,477

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36F79725D0051

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline