VA awards $16,450 for prosthetic limbs to Otto Bock Patient Care LLC under a sole-source purchase order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,450 ($16.4K)

Contractor: Otto Bock Patient Care LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2026-06-07

Contract Duration: 61 days

Daily Burn Rate: $270/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: PROS BELOW KNEE PROSTHETIC LIMB

Place of Performance

Location: AUSTIN, TRAVIS County, TEXAS, 78758

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $16,449.98 to OTTO BOCK PATIENT CARE LLC for work described as: PROS BELOW KNEE PROSTHETIC LIMB Key points: 1. High per-unit cost for a prosthetic limb. 2. Sole-source award limits competitive pricing. 3. Potential for higher taxpayer cost due to lack of competition. 4. Sector: Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The per-unit cost of $16,450 appears high for a prosthetic limb, especially without competitive bidding to establish a fair market price. Benchmarking against similar contracts is crucial.

Cost Per Unit: $16,450

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed under SAP and was awarded sole-source. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for this prosthetic limb.

Public Impact

Veterans may receive advanced prosthetic technology. Potential for limited availability if Otto Bock is the only supplier. Ensuring timely delivery and quality of the prosthetic is critical for veteran care.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
High per-unit cost
Limited competition

Positive Signals

Supports veteran healthcare needs
Specific supplier may offer unique capabilities

Sector Analysis

The Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing sector involves the production of medical devices. Spending benchmarks for prosthetic limbs can vary widely based on complexity and technology.

Small Business Impact

This award does not appear to involve small businesses, as the contractor is Otto Bock Patient Care LLC. Further analysis would be needed to confirm if any subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for oversight. The sole-source nature of this award warrants close monitoring to ensure fair pricing and value for taxpayer dollars.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Sole-source procurement
High unit price
Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for inflated costs
Limited transparency in pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $16,449.98 to OTTO BOCK PATIENT CARE LLC. PROS BELOW KNEE PROSTHETIC LIMB

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is OTTO BOCK PATIENT CARE 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 $16,449.98.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and what specific features of this prosthetic limb justify the high cost?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities or proprietary technology not available from other sources. For this prosthetic limb, the high cost may be attributed to advanced materials, customization for the veteran's specific needs, integrated electronics, or specialized functionality. A thorough review of the justification documentation is necessary to validate these claims and ensure the price is reasonable given the unique value provided.

How does the $16,450 per-unit cost compare to similar prosthetic limbs procured through competitive processes?

Benchmarking this $16,450 per-unit cost against similar prosthetic limbs procured competitively is essential for assessing value. Without competitive data, it's difficult to determine if this price reflects fair market value. If comparable, less complex prosthetics are available at significantly lower prices, this sole-source award raises concerns about potential overpayment and the effectiveness of the procurement strategy in securing the best possible price for taxpayers.

What measures are in place to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the prosthetic limb, given the sole-source nature of the contract?

Given the sole-source award, robust quality assurance and performance monitoring are critical. The VA should have clear acceptance criteria, inspection protocols, and performance metrics outlined in the purchase order. Regular check-ins with the veteran recipient to assess functionality, comfort, and durability, along with a clear process for addressing any defects or issues, are vital to ensure the prosthetic limb effectively meets the veteran's needs and justifies the investment.

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: 11809 DOMAIN DR UNIT 100, AUSTIN, TX, 78758

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,450

Exercised Options: $16,450

Current Obligation: $16,450

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline