VA awards $453K for Prosthetics - Limb to Howard Orthopedics Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $45,306 ($45.3K)

Contractor: Howard Orthopedics Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-08-10

Contract Duration: 122 days

Daily Burn Rate: $371/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: PROSTHETICS - LIMB

Place of Performance

Location: MATHER, SACRAMENTO County, CALIFORNIA, 95655

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $45,305.89 to HOWARD ORTHOPEDICS INC for work described as: PROSTHETICS - LIMB Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, Howard Orthopedics Inc. 2. The contract is for surgical appliance and supplies manufacturing. 3. The Department of Veterans Affairs is the contracting agency. 4. This is a firm fixed price contract with a duration of 122 days.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $453,058.89 for a 122-day period appears high for prosthetics, especially given the lack of competition. Benchmarking against similar contracts for limb prosthetics is difficult without more detailed scope information.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in the government paying more than necessary for these prosthetic supplies, impacting taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

Veterans will receive essential prosthetic limb supplies. The contract supports a specific business in California. Limited competition raises concerns about the best use of taxpayer funds.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
High per-unit cost potential
Short contract duration may indicate urgent need or limited scope

Positive Signals

Supports veteran healthcare needs
Specific product category

Sector Analysis

The surgical appliance and supplies manufacturing sector is critical for healthcare, particularly for veterans. Spending in this area can vary widely based on product complexity and demand. This contract falls within the broader healthcare manufacturing industry.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Howard Orthopedics Inc., a specific company. There is no indication if this is a small business or if small business participation was considered in this sole-source award.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for this contract. Oversight should focus on ensuring the necessity of a sole-source award and verifying the fair pricing of the supplies provided.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks transparency and competitive pricing.
Potential for overpayment due to lack of competition.
Limited duration may indicate a stop-gap measure or insufficient planning.
Need for justification of sole-source procurement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $45,305.89 to HOWARD ORTHOPEDICS INC. PROSTHETICS - LIMB

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HOWARD ORTHOPEDICS 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 $45,305.89.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-08-10.

What is the specific type of prosthetic limb and its components being procured, and how does this influence the unit cost?

The data specifies 'PROSTHETICS - LIMB' but lacks detail on the specific type (e.g., below-knee, above-knee, specific components like sockets or feet). This information is crucial for accurate cost benchmarking. Without it, the $453,058.89 award for 122 days is difficult to assess against industry standards for various prosthetic levels and materials.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing?

The justification for a sole-source award is not provided in the data. Typically, this requires demonstrating that only one source can meet the requirement due to unique capabilities, urgency, or specific circumstances. The contracting agency should have conducted a price analysis to ensure the negotiated price was fair and reasonable, even without competition.

How does the $453,058.89 contract value for 122 days compare to typical spending for similar prosthetic supplies, considering the lack of competition?

Without competitive bidding, it's challenging to establish a precise benchmark. However, the value represents approximately $3,713 per day. If this contract covers multiple prosthetic units or extensive services, it might be reasonable. If it's for a few units, it could be high, warranting further investigation into the specific items and the justification for the sole-source award.

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: 3065 RICHMOND PKWY, SAN PABLO, CA, 94806

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $45,306

Exercised Options: $45,306

Current Obligation: $45,306

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline