VA awards $34,000 for TAVR devices to Edwards Lifesciences LLC, a sole-source purchase

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $34,000 ($34.0K)

Contractor: Edwards Lifesciences LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-04-06

Contract Duration: 3 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: TAVR

Place of Performance

Location: MINNEAPOLIS, HENNEPIN County, MINNESOTA, 55417

State: Minnesota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $34,000 to EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES LLC for work described as: TAVR Key points: 1. The award focuses on Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) devices, a critical medical technology. 2. Competition is absent, raising questions about price discovery and potential overpayment. 3. The risk of limited competition could lead to higher costs for taxpayers. 4. The sector is medical devices, specifically cardiovascular implants.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if the $34,000 price is optimal. Benchmarking against similar TAVR device contracts, especially those secured through competitive processes, is crucial for validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially increases costs as there is no market pressure to offer the best price.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in higher spending than necessary, impacting taxpayer funds allocated for veteran healthcare.

Public Impact

Veterans will receive advanced TAVR devices, improving cardiac care. The sole-source nature of the award may limit access to potentially lower-cost alternatives. Transparency in pricing for sole-source medical devices is essential for public trust.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for overpricing

Positive Signals

Ensures access to critical medical technology for veterans
Direct award to a known supplier

Sector Analysis

The medical device sector, particularly for cardiovascular implants like TAVR, is characterized by high innovation and significant R&D costs. Spending benchmarks vary widely based on device complexity and manufacturer.

Small Business Impact

This award does not appear to involve small businesses, as it is a direct purchase from a large, established medical device manufacturer.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is needed to ensure the VA justifies the sole-source decision and that the pricing is reasonable, even without competition. Future solicitations should explore competitive avenues.

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 pricing due to no competition.
Limited market research evident.
Risk of vendor lock-in.
No clear path to competitive pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $34,000 to EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES LLC. TAVR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES LLC.

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 $34,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-04-06.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and has the VA explored all avenues for competition?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs where only one source can fulfill the requirement. The VA should have documented these reasons thoroughly. Exploring all avenues for competition involves market research to identify potential alternative suppliers or technologies, even if the initial assessment suggests limited options.

How does the $34,000 price compare to similar TAVR device purchases made competitively by other federal agencies or large healthcare systems?

Benchmarking the $34,000 price against competitive TAVR device contracts is crucial for assessing value. Without this comparison, it's difficult to determine if the price reflects fair market value. Publicly available contract data or industry reports could provide insights into typical pricing ranges for comparable devices and procedures.

What is the long-term strategy for procuring TAVR devices to ensure cost-effectiveness and access for veterans?

The long-term strategy should prioritize maximizing competition for TAVR devices. This could involve breaking down requirements into smaller lots, encouraging new entrants into the market, or negotiating long-term agreements based on competitive bids. Ensuring consistent access while driving down costs through strategic sourcing is key to effective veteran healthcare.

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

Solicitation ID: 36C26326Q0529

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1 EDWARDS WAY, IRVINE, CA, 92614

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $34,000

Exercised Options: $34,000

Current Obligation: $34,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline