VA awards $21.5K for inflatable penile prostheses, highlighting a niche medical supply need

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,470 ($21.5K)

Contractor: Buffalo Supply Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2026-06-07

Contract Duration: 61 days

Daily Burn Rate: $352/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: PROS - IMFLATOBLE PENILE PROSTHESIS PLACEMENT MALE ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

Place of Performance

Location: LAFAYETTE, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80026

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $21,470.44 to BUFFALO SUPPLY INC. for work described as: PROS - IMFLATOBLE PENILE PROSTHESIS PLACEMENT MALE ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION Key points: 1. Contract addresses a specific medical need for veterans experiencing erectile dysfunction. 2. Limited competition suggests potential for higher pricing or specialized contractor requirements. 3. Short performance period indicates a focused, immediate need for the supplies. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type offers cost certainty for the government. 5. This award falls within the Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $21,470.44 for a two-month delivery period appears reasonable for specialized medical devices. Benchmarking against similar contracts for inflatable penile prostheses is difficult without more specific product details and quantities. However, the limited competition may have influenced the final price, potentially leading to a less favorable value compared to a more open market.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating that only one vendor was deemed capable of fulfilling the requirement. This could be due to the specialized nature of the medical device, proprietary technology, or specific manufacturer requirements. The lack of competition means the VA did not benefit from price discovery through multiple bids.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can limit taxpayer value by potentially foregoing cost savings that could arise from competitive bidding processes.

Public Impact

Veterans experiencing erectile dysfunction will benefit from access to necessary medical devices. The services delivered include the provision of inflatable penile prostheses. The geographic impact is likely focused on the region served by the VA facility receiving the supplies. This contract supports a specific segment of the medical device manufacturing and supply chain.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing advantages for taxpayers.
Short contract duration may indicate a reactive procurement rather than strategic planning.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes assessing contractor effectiveness challenging.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical medical need for a specific veteran population.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides budget predictability.
Contract awarded to a known entity (Buffalo Supply Inc.) may imply prior satisfactory performance.

Sector Analysis

The market for medical devices, particularly specialized implants like inflatable penile prostheses, is a significant segment within the broader healthcare industry. This contract represents a small but vital expenditure within this sector, focusing on patient care and quality of life improvements. Comparable spending benchmarks are highly dependent on the specific device and volume, but this award suggests a targeted procurement for a specific medical necessity.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements mentioned. The award to Buffalo Supply Inc. does not provide immediate insight into its size or its utilization of small business subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' procurement and medical supply chain management. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, including delivery schedules and product specifications. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, though detailed operational oversight is internal to the VA.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Supplies
Prosthetic Devices
Veterans Health Administration
Medical Equipment Procurement

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may indicate lack of competition, potentially leading to higher costs.
Short contract duration could suggest a reactive procurement or limited availability of the product.
Limited data on contractor's past performance and specific product details.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $21,470.44 to BUFFALO SUPPLY INC.. PROS - IMFLATOBLE PENILE PROSTHESIS PLACEMENT MALE ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BUFFALO SUPPLY 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 $21,470.44.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-06-07.

What is the specific product being procured, and what is its intended use?

The data indicates the procurement is for 'PROS - IMFLATOBLE PENILE PROSTHESIS PLACEMENT MALE ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION'. This refers to a medical device used to treat severe erectile dysfunction in men. The prosthesis is surgically implanted and allows the patient to achieve an erection when desired. The contract likely covers the supply of these devices, potentially including related surgical components or accessories, to VA medical facilities for distribution to eligible veterans.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis?

The contract was designated as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION', which is synonymous with a sole-source award. This typically occurs when only one responsible source is available or capable of providing the required goods or services. For medical devices like inflatable penile prostheses, this could be due to manufacturer exclusivity agreements, patented technology, or specific compatibility requirements with existing VA systems or patient needs. The VA would have had to justify this determination, likely citing the specialized nature of the product and the limited number of manufacturers or distributors capable of meeting the technical specifications and regulatory standards.

What is the typical cost range for inflatable penile prostheses, and how does this contract compare?

The cost of inflatable penile prostheses can vary significantly based on the manufacturer, model, complexity, and included components. Generally, these devices can range from $5,000 to $15,000 or more per unit, excluding surgical placement costs. The VA contract value of $21,470.44 over two months suggests either a small number of units are being procured, or it includes ancillary services or related supplies. Without knowing the exact quantity and specific product, a direct cost-per-unit comparison is difficult. However, the total award amount appears to be within a plausible range for specialized medical equipment, though the sole-source nature warrants scrutiny for potential price inflation.

What is the track record of Buffalo Supply Inc. with the VA or other government agencies?

Information regarding Buffalo Supply Inc.'s specific track record with the VA or other government agencies is not detailed in the provided data. As the award is sole-source, it might imply a pre-existing relationship or a specific capability that led to this designation. A comprehensive assessment would require searching federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for past performance ratings, contract history, and any reported issues or successes related to this contractor. Understanding their history could provide context for the current award's justification and potential risks.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for medical supplies?

Sole-source awards for medical supplies carry several risks. Primarily, the lack of competition can lead to higher prices than might be achieved in a competitive bidding process, potentially resulting in less value for taxpayer money. It also reduces the incentive for the sole provider to innovate or improve service, as there is no direct market pressure from competitors. Furthermore, reliance on a single supplier can create supply chain vulnerabilities; if the sole provider experiences production issues, quality control problems, or business disruptions, the VA could face shortages of critical medical equipment, impacting patient care.

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 AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1650 COAL CREEK DR, LAFAYETTE, CO, 80026

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,470

Exercised Options: $21,470

Current Obligation: $21,470

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C10G23D0073

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline