VA awards $316K for bulk liquid oxygen and tank rental to Paula F Price Enterprises LLC in March 2026

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,630 ($31.6K)

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: $1.1K/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 $31,629.84 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 is concentrated with a single vendor, Paula F Price Enterprises LLC. 2. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 3. The award is for medical-grade bulk liquid oxygen and tank rental. 4. The total award amount is $316,298.40 for a 30-day period.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The pricing for bulk liquid oxygen and tank rental is not benchmarked against similar contracts. Without comparative data, it's difficult to assess if this price is competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP, suggesting a limited competition environment. While competed, the specific reasons for limited competition and the price discovery process are not detailed.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential medical supplies. The efficiency of the procurement process under SAP impacts the overall value for money.

Public Impact

Ensures supply of critical medical oxygen for veterans. Supports healthcare services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Potential for price fluctuations if competition remains limited in the future.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP
Lack of pricing benchmarks
Short contract duration may limit long-term cost savings

Positive Signals

Awarded to a specific vendor for essential medical supplies
Procurement completed within a defined ordering period

Sector Analysis

The healthcare sector relies heavily on reliable supply chains for medical gases. Spending benchmarks for bulk liquid oxygen and tank rentals can vary significantly based on volume, purity, and geographic location.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this procurement, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms should be in place to ensure compliance and value.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for price escalation due to limited competition.
Lack of transparency in price discovery under SAP.
Dependence on a single vendor for a critical supply.
Absence of clear performance metrics or quality standards in the provided data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $31,629.84 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 $31,629.84.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the typical market price for bulk liquid oxygen and tank rental for a 30-day period in South Carolina?

Determining the typical market price requires access to industry pricing data, which is not provided. Factors like volume, purity, delivery logistics, and specific tank sizes influence costs. Benchmarking against other VA contracts or GSA schedules for similar medical gases would offer a more accurate comparison.

What were the specific justifications for using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for this procurement?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures are typically used for purchases below the simplified acquisition threshold, often to expedite the process for smaller value contracts. The justification for using SAP here would likely relate to the contract's value and the urgency or nature of the requirement for medical oxygen.

How does the awarded price compare to previous contracts for similar medical oxygen supplies by the VA?

Without historical pricing data for this specific contract or comparable contracts, a direct comparison is not possible. Analyzing past awards for bulk liquid oxygen and tank rentals, considering inflation and market changes, would be necessary to assess price trends and value over time.

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: $31,630

Exercised Options: $31,630

Current Obligation: $31,630

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C77622D0028

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline