VA awards $626,500 for eye-tracking systems, raising questions about competition and value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $62,650 ($62.6K)

Contractor: Spryson America, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-06-07

Contract Duration: 60 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: DX 200 GOGGLES, SPRYSON EYE TRACKING SYSTEM

Place of Performance

Location: PITTSBURGH, ALLEGHENY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15238

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $62,650 to SPRYSON AMERICA, INC. for work described as: DX 200 GOGGLES, SPRYSON EYE TRACKING SYSTEM Key points: 1. The contract for eye-tracking systems was awarded on a non-competitive basis, limiting price discovery. 2. The fixed-price nature of the award provides some cost certainty, but the lack of competition hinders benchmarking. 3. The short performance period suggests a focused need, but the overall value proposition requires further scrutiny. 4. The award falls within the Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing sector, indicating a specialized need. 5. The Department of Veterans Affairs is the sole agency involved, suggesting a specific program requirement.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $626,500 for eye-tracking systems appears to be a significant investment. However, without competitive bidding, it is difficult to benchmark this price against market rates or similar contracts. The fixed-price nature offers some cost control, but the absence of competition means the VA may not have secured the best possible price. Further analysis of the specific technical requirements and the capabilities of the awarded system is needed to fully assess value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a sole-source award. The lack of competition means that only one vendor, SPRYSON AMERICA, INC., was considered. This limits the opportunity for multiple vendors to propose solutions and potentially drive down costs through a bidding process. The rationale for a sole-source award, such as a unique capability or proprietary technology, would need to be clearly documented to justify the absence of broader competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the lack of competitive pressure. Without multiple bids, there is less assurance that the government received the most cost-effective solution available in the market.

Public Impact

Veterans requiring advanced diagnostic and rehabilitation tools will benefit from the new eye-tracking systems. The services delivered will enhance the VA's capacity for neurological and ophthalmological assessments. The geographic impact is primarily within facilities managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The contract supports specialized medical equipment manufacturing and potentially related technical support roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher prices than a competed award.
Sole-source awards can limit innovation by excluding potential new entrants.
The short performance period might indicate a pilot program or a specific, time-sensitive need that warrants further investigation.
The specific capabilities of the 'SPRYSON EYE TRACKING SYSTEM' are not detailed, making it hard to assess its unique value proposition.

Positive Signals

The award is for a fixed price, providing cost certainty for the government.
The contract is for a specific, likely critical, medical technology aimed at improving veteran care.
The vendor, SPRYSON AMERICA, INC., is identified, allowing for track record assessment if data is available.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing industry, a specialized segment of the broader healthcare technology market. This sector is characterized by innovation and high-value equipment. Spending in this area is often driven by specific clinical needs and technological advancements. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the exact specifications and capabilities of the eye-tracking system, but such specialized medical devices typically represent significant investments.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve a small business set-aside, as the vendor SPRYSON AMERICA, INC. is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data, and the contract was not competed under SAP. There is no information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award is likely minimal, unless the prime contractor has its own small business subcontracting goals not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting and program management offices. As a purchase order, it may be subject to internal VA procurement regulations and audits. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature of the award, making public scrutiny of the procurement process challenging.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Equipment Procurement
Veterans Health Administration Technology Investments
Electromedical Device Acquisition
Ophthalmology and Neurology Diagnostic Tools

Risk Flags

Sole-source award raises concerns about price competitiveness.
Lack of detailed technical specifications hinders value assessment.
Short performance period requires clarification of program scope.
Vendor track record with VA not readily available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $62,650 to SPRYSON AMERICA, INC.. DX 200 GOGGLES, SPRYSON EYE TRACKING SYSTEM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SPRYSON AMERICA, 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 $62,650.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-06-07.

What is the specific technical capability and intended use of the SPRYSON EYE TRACKING SYSTEM being procured by the VA?

The provided data indicates the procurement is for 'DX 200 GOGGLES, SPRYSON EYE TRACKING SYSTEM'. While the exact technical specifications are not detailed, eye-tracking systems are generally used for a variety of purposes in healthcare and research. These can include diagnosing neurological disorders (e.g., Parkinson's, Alzheimer's), assessing visual impairments, monitoring patient responses to stimuli, aiding in rehabilitation after brain injury, and in research related to cognitive function and human-computer interaction. For the VA, potential uses could range from diagnosing conditions affecting veterans, such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or PTSD-related visual disturbances, to aiding in the rehabilitation of mobility or communication impairments. The 'DX 200' model designation suggests a specific product line, and further investigation into SPRYSON AMERICA, INC.'s product catalog would be necessary to ascertain the precise functionalities and intended applications within the VA's healthcare programs.

How does the $626,500 contract value compare to similar eye-tracking system procurements by federal agencies?

Benchmarking the $626,500 contract value for the SPRYSON EYE TRACKING SYSTEM is challenging without more specific details on the system's capabilities and the contract's scope (e.g., number of units, software, training, maintenance). However, federal procurement data suggests that advanced eye-tracking systems can range significantly in price. Simpler research-grade systems might cost tens of thousands of dollars, while comprehensive clinical diagnostic suites with specialized hardware and software could run into hundreds of thousands. Given this is a sole-source award for a specific system, it's difficult to determine if $626,500 represents a competitive market price or a premium. A thorough value analysis would require comparing the system's features against other available technologies and assessing if the price aligns with the demonstrated clinical or research utility for the VA's intended purpose.

What is SPRYSON AMERICA, INC.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Information regarding SPRYSON AMERICA, INC.'s specific track record with federal contracts, especially with the Department of Veterans Affairs, is not detailed in the provided data snippet. A comprehensive assessment would require querying federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for past awards, contract performance history, and any reported issues. As this is a sole-source award, it might indicate a pre-existing relationship or a unique capability that the VA has previously engaged with. However, without access to their contract history, it's impossible to evaluate their performance, reliability, or past pricing competitiveness. Further due diligence would be needed to understand their experience in delivering similar systems to government entities and their overall performance ratings.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for critical medical equipment like eye-tracking systems?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for critical medical equipment include potential overpayment due to lack of price competition, limited access to technological advancements from other vendors, and vendor lock-in, which can make future transitions difficult and costly. For the VA, relying on a single supplier for essential diagnostic or therapeutic tools like eye-tracking systems could also pose a risk if the vendor experiences financial instability, production issues, or decides to discontinue the product line. Furthermore, the absence of competitive pressure might reduce the incentive for the sole-source provider to offer superior customer support or rapid innovation. Ensuring robust contract terms, including performance guarantees and clear exit strategies, becomes crucial in mitigating these risks.

What is the historical spending pattern of the VA on electromedical and electrotherapeutic apparatus?

The provided data snippet focuses on a single contract award and does not offer historical spending patterns for the VA within the 'Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing' (NAICS 334510) sector. To analyze historical spending, one would need to examine aggregated procurement data over several fiscal years. This would involve looking at the total dollar amounts awarded, the number of contracts issued, the types of apparatus procured (e.g., diagnostic imaging, patient monitoring, therapeutic devices), and the primary vendors. Such an analysis could reveal trends in technology adoption, identify major spending categories, and highlight any significant increases or decreases in investment within this sector by the VA. It would also help contextualize the current $626,500 award within the VA's broader procurement strategy for medical equipment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL/DENTAL/VETERINARY EQPT/SUPP

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 36C26326Q0466

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 128 GAMMA DR, PITTSBURGH, PA, 15238

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $62,650

Exercised Options: $62,650

Current Obligation: $62,650

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline