VA awards $407K for bulk liquid oxygen and tank rental to Paula F Price Enterprises LLC in March 2026

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $40,718 ($40.7K)

Contractor: Paula F Price Enterprises LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-03-01

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 30 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: EXPRESS REPORT: MARCH 2026 ORDERING OFFICERS SPEND FOR MEDICAL GRADE BULK LIQUID OXYGEN AND TANK RENTAL

Place of Performance

Location: NORTH AUGUSTA, AIKEN County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29841

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $40,718.05 to PAULA F PRICE ENTERPRISES LLC for work described as: EXPRESS REPORT: MARCH 2026 ORDERING OFFICERS SPEND FOR MEDICAL GRADE BULK LIQUID OXYGEN AND TANK RENTAL Key points: 1. Spending on medical grade bulk liquid oxygen and tank rental totaled $407,180.50. 2. The contract was awarded to PAULA F PRICE ENTERPRISES LLC. 3. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the procuring agency. 4. This was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP).

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $407,180.50 for a 30-day period appears reasonable given the nature of bulk liquid oxygen and tank rental services. Benchmarking against similar VA contracts for medical gases would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a limited competition environment. While SAP aims for efficiency, it may not always yield the lowest possible price compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential medical supplies for veterans. The use of SAP indicates a balance between speed and cost-effectiveness, but potential savings from broader competition are not realized.

Public Impact

Ensures a critical supply of medical oxygen for veterans. Supports healthcare operations within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Provides essential medical equipment and services to patients.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition due to SAP.
Potential for price increases in future orders.

Positive Signals

Timely award for essential medical supplies.
Supports veteran healthcare needs.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare sector relies heavily on specialized medical gases like bulk liquid oxygen. Spending benchmarks for these services can vary significantly based on geographic location, volume, and contract duration. This award falls within the typical range for such specialized medical support.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether PAULA F PRICE ENTERPRISES LLC is a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on small business participation in this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract to ensure timely delivery and quality of medical oxygen. Standard procurement regulations and contract management practices are expected to be followed.

Related Government Programs

Industrial Gas Manufacturing
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition.
Potential for price escalation in future orders.
Reliance on a single vendor for a critical supply.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $40,718.05 to PAULA F PRICE ENTERPRISES LLC. EXPRESS REPORT: MARCH 2026 ORDERING OFFICERS SPEND FOR MEDICAL GRADE BULK LIQUID OXYGEN AND TANK RENTAL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PAULA F PRICE ENTERPRISES 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 $40,718.05.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-01. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the typical cost per unit for bulk liquid oxygen and tank rental in similar VA contracts?

Benchmarking the per-unit cost for bulk liquid oxygen and tank rental against similar VA contracts is crucial for a comprehensive value assessment. Without specific unit data (e.g., price per liter or cubic foot) and rental fees, it's difficult to establish a precise cost comparison. However, the total award of $407,180.50 for a 30-day period suggests a significant volume, and further investigation into unit pricing would be beneficial for future procurement strategies.

What are the risks associated with limited competition under Simplified Acquisition Procedures for critical medical supplies?

Limited competition under SAP can pose risks such as potentially higher prices than achievable through full and open competition, reduced innovation, and a narrower selection of qualified vendors. For critical medical supplies like oxygen, this could impact cost-effectiveness and supply chain resilience. While SAP is designed for efficiency in smaller procurements, agencies must remain vigilant to ensure fair pricing and adequate vendor performance.

How effectively does this contract ensure the continuous availability of medical oxygen for VA facilities?

This contract, awarded for a 30-day period, directly addresses the immediate need for bulk liquid oxygen and tank rental, ensuring continuous availability for VA facilities during that timeframe. The firm fixed price structure provides cost certainty. However, the effectiveness for long-term, uninterrupted supply depends on the VA's strategy for subsequent contract awards and vendor reliability.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Basic Chemical Manufacturing › Industrial Gas Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 507 W MARTINTOWN RD, NORTH AUGUSTA, SC, 29841

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $39,310

Exercised Options: $39,310

Current Obligation: $40,718

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C77622D0010

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline