VA awards $2.49M for vertical platform lifts, highlighting a sole-source procurement for surgical instruments

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,935 ($24.9K)

Contractor: Call Before YOU Fall Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 84 days

Daily Burn Rate: $297/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: VERTICAL PLATFORM LIFT

Place of Performance

Location: AGOURA HILLS, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91301

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $24,935 to CALL BEFORE YOU FALL INC for work described as: VERTICAL PLATFORM LIFT Key points: 1. The contract value of $2.49M for vertical platform lifts appears to be a significant investment in specialized medical equipment. 2. The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny regarding the justification for limited competition. 3. The short performance period (84 days) suggests an urgent need or a specific, time-bound project. 4. The award falls under Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing, indicating a focus on clinical support infrastructure. 5. The contractor, CALL BEFORE YOU FALL INC, is the sole provider, raising questions about market availability and pricing. 6. The absence of small business set-aside flags suggests this contract was not specifically targeted to boost small business participation.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this specific contract is challenging without comparable sole-source awards for vertical platform lifts. The $2.49M price tag for a short duration (84 days) could indicate a premium for specialized equipment or an urgent requirement. Further analysis would require understanding the specific technical requirements and comparing pricing against industry standards for similar, non-sole-source procurements if available.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, CALL BEFORE YOU FALL INC, was solicited. The justification for this limited competition is not provided in the data. Sole-source awards can sometimes lead to higher prices due to the lack of competitive pressure, and it is important to understand why full and open competition was not pursued.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium for this equipment due to the absence of competitive bidding. Without competition, there is less assurance that the government secured the best possible price.

Public Impact

Patients requiring mobility assistance within surgical or medical areas will benefit from improved accessibility. The Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare facilities will receive essential equipment to enhance patient care and operational efficiency. The contract's geographic impact is focused on VA facilities, likely within California where the contractor is registered. The procurement supports the healthcare sector by ensuring necessary infrastructure is in place for medical procedures and patient movement.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potentially increases cost to taxpayers.
Short performance period may indicate rushed procurement or insufficient planning.
Lack of transparency on justification for sole-source award.
Contract value for a short duration seems high, requiring cost justification.
No indication of small business participation or subcontracting opportunities.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical need for patient mobility within VA facilities.
Ensures operational continuity for surgical and medical procedures.
Contract awarded to a specific entity, potentially indicating specialized expertise.
Clear end date for the contract performance.

Sector Analysis

The market for vertical platform lifts is a niche within the broader medical equipment manufacturing sector. This contract specifically addresses the need for accessibility solutions within healthcare settings, particularly for surgical and medical instrument manufacturing contexts. While the overall market size for medical devices is substantial, specialized lifts represent a smaller segment. Benchmarking this award against other VA or federal procurements for similar accessibility equipment would provide further context on pricing and value.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This means that larger businesses were eligible to bid, and there is no specific requirement for subcontracting to small businesses. The absence of a small business set-aside suggests that the primary focus was on fulfilling the requirement, rather than specifically promoting small business participation in this instance.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' procurement and program management offices. As a purchase order, it may have less formal oversight than a larger, more complex contract. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Medical Equipment Procurement
Veterans Affairs Healthcare Services
Surgical Instrument Manufacturing
Accessibility Equipment
Federal Purchase Orders

Risk Flags

Sole-source award without clear justification.
High contract value for a short performance period.
Lack of competitive bidding may lead to inflated costs.
No small business participation noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $24,935 to CALL BEFORE YOU FALL INC. VERTICAL PLATFORM LIFT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CALL BEFORE YOU FALL 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 $24,935.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis to CALL BEFORE YOU FALL INC?

The provided data does not include the specific justification for the sole-source award to CALL BEFORE YOU FALL INC. Typically, sole-source procurements are justified when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the government's needs. This could be due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent and compelling circumstances. Without the official justification document (e.g., a Justification and Approval - J&A), it is impossible to definitively state why full and open competition was not pursued. This lack of transparency is a key area for further inquiry, as it directly impacts the government's ability to ensure fair pricing and maximize competition.

How does the $2.49M contract value compare to typical spending on vertical platform lifts by the VA or other federal agencies?

Directly comparing the $2.49M contract value for vertical platform lifts is difficult without more specific details on the scope of work, number of units, and technical specifications. The contract duration is also very short (84 days), suggesting this might be for a specific project or a limited number of installations rather than a large-scale, multi-year deployment. Federal spending on such equipment can vary widely based on agency needs, facility types, and the complexity of the lifts required. A sole-source award, as in this case, can also inflate prices compared to competitive bids. To provide a meaningful comparison, one would need to analyze historical VA or GSA (General Services Administration) contracts for similar vertical platform lifts, ideally those awarded competitively, to establish a benchmark price per unit or per installation.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source procurement for critical medical equipment?

Sole-source procurements, like this one for vertical platform lifts, carry several potential risks. The primary risk is a lack of price competition, which can lead to the government paying a higher price than if multiple vendors had bid. This can result in inefficient use of taxpayer funds. Another risk is reduced innovation, as there is less incentive for the sole provider to improve their product or service when they face no direct competition. Furthermore, reliance on a single vendor can create supply chain vulnerabilities; if the vendor experiences production issues or goes out of business, the government may struggle to find alternatives. Finally, sole-source awards can sometimes raise concerns about fairness and equal opportunity for other qualified businesses that were not solicited.

What is the expected impact of this contract on patient care and facility operations at the Department of Veterans Affairs?

This contract is expected to have a positive impact on patient care and facility operations by improving accessibility within VA healthcare settings. Vertical platform lifts are crucial for individuals with mobility impairments, ensuring they can safely and easily navigate different levels of medical facilities, particularly in areas like surgical suites or patient rooms. By providing this essential equipment, the VA can enhance patient comfort, safety, and independence. Operationally, it can streamline patient flow, reduce the physical strain on healthcare staff who might otherwise need to assist patients with movement, and ensure compliance with accessibility regulations, thereby contributing to a more efficient and effective healthcare environment.

Given the short performance period (84 days), what does this suggest about the urgency or nature of the requirement?

The very short performance period of 84 days (approximately three months) for this $2.49M contract suggests a highly specific and time-sensitive requirement. It is unlikely to represent a long-term, ongoing need for general equipment. Possible scenarios include: an urgent need to replace a failed critical piece of equipment, a requirement for a specific, short-term project or renovation where the lifts are needed temporarily or for a defined phase, or a rapid deployment initiative. It could also indicate that the contract is for the delivery and installation of a limited number of units rather than a comprehensive facility-wide upgrade. The short duration, coupled with the sole-source nature, warrants further investigation into the specific circumstances driving such an immediate procurement.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing › Surgical and Medical Instrument 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: 5308 DERRY AVE, AGOURA HILLS, CA, 91301

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,935

Exercised Options: $24,935

Current Obligation: $24,935

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline