VA awards $5.6M for Prosthetics Vehicle Conversion to Gary E. Colle, Inc., a sole-source purchase order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $56,417 ($56.4K)

Contractor: Gary E. Colle, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-06-26

Contract Duration: 86 days

Daily Burn Rate: $656/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: PROSTHETICS:VEHICLE CONVERSION

Place of Performance

Location: POWAY, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92064

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $56,417 to GARY E. COLLE, INC. for work described as: PROSTHETICS:VEHICLE CONVERSION Key points: 1. Spending on prosthetics vehicle conversion is a niche but essential service for veterans. 2. The award to Gary E. Colle, Inc. represents a significant portion of the VA's spending in this specific category. 3. Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and limited innovation. 4. The healthcare sector, particularly specialized medical equipment and services, often faces unique procurement challenges.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $5,641,700 for prosthetics vehicle conversion is substantial. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to benchmark against similar contracts or market rates, raising questions about whether the government is receiving fair value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This method limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there is no market pressure to offer competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this $5.6M contract means taxpayers may be paying more than necessary for these specialized vehicle conversions.

Public Impact

Veterans requiring specialized vehicle modifications for prosthetics may face delays or higher costs due to the non-competitive nature of this award. The Department of Veterans Affairs' reliance on sole-source contracts for essential services like this can impact overall budget efficiency. This award highlights a potential gap in the market or a lack of outreach to potential suppliers for specialized prosthetic vehicle conversion services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for overpricing

Positive Signals

Essential service for veterans
Clear contract duration

Sector Analysis

The healthcare sector, particularly specialized medical equipment and services, often involves complex procurement. Spending benchmarks for niche services like prosthetic vehicle conversion are difficult to establish due to limited market data and specialized requirements.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Gary E. Colle, Inc., and it is unclear if this is a small business. The sole-source nature of the award suggests that opportunities for small businesses in this specialized area may have been overlooked or were not actively pursued.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. The sole-source justification should be thoroughly documented and reviewed to ensure it aligns with federal procurement regulations and promotes fair competition where possible.

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.
Potential for inflated costs due to no competition.
Limited opportunities for other qualified vendors.
Risk of vendor lock-in.
Insufficient market research may have occurred.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $56,417 to GARY E. COLLE, INC.. PROSTHETICS:VEHICLE CONVERSION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GARY E. COLLE, 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 $56,417.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-06-26.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative solutions explored?

The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from unique capabilities, urgent needs, or a lack of available sources. For this contract, the VA would need to demonstrate why only Gary E. Colle, Inc. could fulfill the requirement. Exploring alternative solutions, such as market research for other qualified vendors or breaking down the requirement into smaller, more competitive components, is crucial to ensure taxpayer value and adherence to procurement principles.

How does the VA ensure fair pricing when awarding contracts without competition?

When awarding contracts without competition, the VA relies on various methods to ensure fair and reasonable pricing. This can include using historical pricing data from similar contracts, obtaining cost and pricing data directly from the contractor, conducting market research to establish price benchmarks, or using independent government cost estimates. The effectiveness of these methods depends on the availability and accuracy of the data.

What is the long-term strategy for ensuring competitive sourcing for prosthetic vehicle conversion services?

The VA's long-term strategy should involve proactive market research to identify potential sources for specialized services like prosthetic vehicle conversion. This includes engaging with industry, attending trade shows, and issuing sources-sought notices. Developing a robust acquisition plan that prioritizes competition, where feasible, and clearly justifies any sole-source awards is essential for ensuring cost-effectiveness and supporting a diverse supplier base.

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: 12130 DEARBORN PL, POWAY, CA, 92064

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $56,417

Exercised Options: $56,417

Current Obligation: $56,417

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline