VA awards $55M prosthetic limb contract to DONN & DOFF INC, a sole-source purchase order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $55,024 ($55.0K)

Contractor: Donn & Doff Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-08-10

Contract Duration: 122 days

Daily Burn Rate: $451/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 $55,023.92 to DONN & DOFF INC for work described as: PROSTHETICS - LIMB Key points: 1. The contract value of $55.02M for prosthetic limbs represents a significant investment in veteran care. 2. Sole-source procurement raises questions about potential lack of competition and price optimization. 3. The short duration of 122 days suggests a specific, potentially urgent need for these supplies. 4. The contractor, DONN & DOFF INC, operates within the Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing sector. 5. The contract is managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, indicating a focus on veteran healthcare services. 6. The fixed-price contract type aims to provide cost certainty for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this $55.02M contract is challenging without comparable sole-source awards for prosthetic limbs. The fixed-price nature of the purchase order suggests an attempt to control costs, but the absence of competition means there's no market-driven validation of the pricing. Further analysis would require understanding the specific types and quantities of prosthetic limbs included, as well as the contractor's cost structure.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not openly competed. The Department of Veterans Affairs likely determined that only DONN & DOFF INC could fulfill this specific requirement, possibly due to unique capabilities, existing relationships, or urgent needs. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to explore alternative suppliers and potentially secure more favorable pricing through a bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can lead to higher costs for taxpayers as there is no competitive pressure to drive down prices. This limits the government's leverage in negotiating terms and ensures that the awarded price is not necessarily the best available in the market.

Public Impact

Veterans requiring prosthetic limbs will benefit from the supply of necessary medical devices. The contract ensures the availability of essential prosthetic supplies for a defined period. The geographic impact is primarily within the regions served by the Department of Veterans Affairs facilities receiving these prosthetics. The contract supports jobs within the Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing industry, specifically at DONN & DOFF INC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in suboptimal pricing for taxpayers.
Sole-source awards can indicate potential single points of failure if the contractor underperforms.
The short contract duration might necessitate a rapid follow-on procurement, potentially repeating sole-source issues.
Transparency is reduced due to the non-competitive nature of the award.

Positive Signals

The contract directly addresses a critical need for prosthetic limbs for veterans.
The fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability for the VA.
DONN & DOFF INC is operating within a specialized manufacturing sector relevant to the contract's purpose.

Sector Analysis

The market for prosthetic limbs is a specialized segment within the broader healthcare and medical device industry. This sector involves the design, manufacturing, and distribution of artificial devices to replace missing body parts. Spending in this area is often driven by healthcare needs, technological advancements, and government programs aimed at supporting specific populations, such as veterans. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within VA's overall medical supply procurements or broader federal healthcare spending data.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included a small business set-aside. As a sole-source award to DONN & DOFF INC, it is unlikely that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses were a primary consideration in the award process. This contract does not appear to directly contribute to the small business ecosystem unless DONN & DOFF INC independently utilizes small business subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' procurement and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the purchase order terms and conditions, including delivery schedules and product specifications. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Supplies
Prosthetic and Orthotic Devices
Veteran Healthcare Services
Medical Equipment Manufacturing

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for price inflation
Short contract duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $55,023.92 to DONN & DOFF INC. PROSTHETICS - LIMB

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DONN & DOFF 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 $55,023.92.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis to DONN & DOFF INC?

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded as 'NOT COMPETED' and is 'sole-source'. A sole-source justification typically arises when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the government's needs. For prosthetic limbs, this could be due to proprietary technology, unique manufacturing capabilities, urgent requirements where no other vendor can respond in time, or specific compatibility needs with existing veteran medical records or treatment plans. The Department of Veterans Affairs would have a formal justification document detailing these reasons, which is not included in the provided data. Without this document, the precise rationale remains speculative, but it implies a critical need that could not be met through open competition within the given timeframe or specifications.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar prosthetic limb procurements, either within the VA or across other federal agencies?

Direct price comparison is difficult without knowing the specific types, quantities, and specifications of the prosthetic limbs covered by this $55.02M contract. However, the sole-source nature of this award raises concerns about potential price inflation. Typically, competitive bidding allows agencies to leverage market forces to achieve lower prices. If DONN & DOFF INC is the only provider of these specific prosthetics, or if the VA deemed them the only viable option due to urgency or unique requirements, the pricing may not reflect the best value achievable through competition. Benchmarking would require access to detailed pricing data from other VA or federal contracts for similar prosthetic devices, ideally awarded competitively.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a significant contract for essential medical supplies on a sole-source basis?

The primary risk of a sole-source award for essential medical supplies like prosthetic limbs is the potential for inflated costs due to the lack of competitive pressure. Taxpayers may end up paying more than necessary. Another significant risk is reduced innovation and service quality, as the contractor may have less incentive to improve products or services when competition is absent. Furthermore, sole-source contracts can create dependency on a single supplier, posing a risk if that supplier faces financial difficulties, production issues, or fails to meet delivery schedules. This dependency can disrupt the supply chain for critical veteran healthcare needs.

What is the historical spending pattern of the Department of Veterans Affairs on prosthetic limbs, and how does this contract fit within that pattern?

The provided data only includes details for this specific contract. To understand historical spending patterns, one would need to analyze VA's procurement data over several fiscal years for categories such as 'PROSTHETICS - LIMB' or related PSC codes. This analysis would reveal the total annual expenditure, the number of contracts awarded, the prevalence of competitive versus sole-source awards, and the key contractors. This $55.02M contract, awarded as a sole-source purchase order with a 122-day duration, appears to be a significant, potentially time-sensitive procurement. Its place within the historical pattern would depend on whether it represents a typical annual spend, a surge in demand, or a shift in procurement strategy towards non-competitive awards for such items.

What is the track record of DONN & DOFF INC in fulfilling government contracts, particularly with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

The provided data identifies DONN & DOFF INC as the contractor for this $55.02M purchase order. To assess their track record, a review of their past performance on federal contracts would be necessary. This would involve examining contract databases for previous awards, their values, durations, and performance ratings. Specifically, looking at their history with the Department of Veterans Affairs would be crucial, as it would indicate their experience in supplying medical devices to this agency. A positive track record would suggest reliability and capability, while a history of issues (e.g., late deliveries, quality problems, contract disputes) would raise concerns about their ability to successfully execute this current contract, especially given its sole-source nature.

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: 2102 CIVIC CENTER DR, REDDING, CA, 96001

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $55,024

Exercised Options: $55,024

Current Obligation: $55,024

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline