VA Awards $455K for Stair Lifts to American Access, Inc. via Purchase Order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $45,474 ($45.5K)

Contractor: American Access, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-05-28

End Date: 2026-04-02

Contract Duration: 674 days

Daily Burn Rate: $67/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: PROSTHETICS VERTICAL/STAIR LIFT

Place of Performance

Location: JACKSON, MADISON County, TENNESSEE, 38301

State: Tennessee Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $45,474.07 to AMERICAN ACCESS, INC. for work described as: PROSTHETICS VERTICAL/STAIR LIFT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, raising questions about competition. 2. The purchase order is for prosthetic vertical/stair lifts, a niche medical device. 3. Potential risk of overpayment due to lack of competitive bidding. 4. Spending falls within the Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Pricing is difficult to assess without competitive benchmarks. The firm fixed price contract for a 674-day duration suggests a set cost, but the absence of competition means there's no market validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed, indicating a limited competition approach. This likely impacts price discovery, as there was no opportunity for multiple vendors to bid and drive down costs.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds may be at risk of being higher than necessary due to the lack of competitive pressure.

Public Impact

Veterans requiring mobility assistance will benefit from the new stair lifts. The award ensures continued access to necessary medical equipment for beneficiaries. The specific vendor, American Access, Inc., will be the sole provider for this contract period.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for inflated pricing

Positive Signals

Addresses a specific veteran need
Clear contract duration

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing sector, which includes a variety of medical devices. Spending benchmarks for specialized equipment like stair lifts can vary significantly based on features and volume.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded to a small business, as indicated by 'sb': false. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were considered or had the capability to fulfill this requirement.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for oversight of this purchase order. Accountability for the expenditure rests with the agency to ensure the equipment meets specifications and is delivered as agreed.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for overpricing
Limited vendor pool
No small business consideration evident

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $45,474.07 to AMERICAN ACCESS, INC.. PROSTHETICS VERTICAL/STAIR LIFT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMERICAN ACCESS, 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 $45,474.07.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-28. End: 2026-04-02.

What is the justification for not competing this contract?

The provided data does not specify the justification for not competing this contract. Typically, non-competitive awards are made under specific circumstances, such as sole-source requirements, urgent needs, or when only one vendor possesses the necessary capabilities. Further investigation into the contract file would be required to determine the official reason.

How does the price compare to similar stair lift contracts?

Without access to a database of comparable stair lift contracts, it is impossible to definitively benchmark the price. The $45,474.07 award for one unit over 674 days (approximately 22 months) could be reasonable or excessive depending on the specific model, installation complexity, and maintenance included. A competitive process would have provided this market insight.

What is the long-term impact of non-competitive awards on VA's procurement strategy?

Consistent reliance on non-competitive awards can lead to reduced market competition over time, potentially increasing costs for the VA and taxpayers. It may also limit opportunities for innovative solutions from a broader range of vendors. A balanced approach incorporating competitive strategies is generally more effective for ensuring value and efficiency.

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: 820 LOWER BROWNSVILLE RD, JACKSON, TN, 38301

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Minority Owned Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $45,474

Exercised Options: $45,474

Current Obligation: $45,474

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline