HHS awarded $5,825 for dental supplies, with 3 bidders competing for this purchase order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,826 ($5.8K)

Contractor: Lakota Enterprises Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2017-11-30

End Date: 2017-12-29

Contract Duration: 29 days

Daily Burn Rate: $201/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: WAGNER DENTAL OPTIBOND SOLO PLUS UNIDOSE REFILL VENDOR LAKOTA ENTERPRISES INC

Place of Performance

Location: WAGNER, CHARLES MIX County, SOUTH DAKOTA, 57380

State: South Dakota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $5,825.81 to LAKOTA ENTERPRISES INC for work described as: WAGNER DENTAL OPTIBOND SOLO PLUS UNIDOSE REFILL VENDOR LAKOTA ENTERPRISES INC Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the short duration and specific product. 2. Competition dynamics show a moderate level of interest with three bidders. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the small dollar amount and short performance period. 4. Performance context is a single purchase order for dental supplies. 5. Sector positioning is within medical equipment and supplies for the Indian Health Service.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5,825.81 for dental supplies is relatively small. Benchmarking against similar contracts is difficult without more specific product details, but the price appears to be within a reasonable range for a short-term supply need. The firm fixed-price structure helps manage cost certainty for this purchase.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under SAP (Small Acquisition Procedures), indicating a competitive process for acquisitions below certain thresholds. With three bidders participating, there was a reasonable level of competition, suggesting that price discovery was likely effective. The agency sought multiple offers, which is standard for this type of procurement.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award, even under SAP, suggests taxpayers received a fair price due to multiple vendors vying for the business.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include healthcare providers and patients within the Indian Health Service. Services delivered are the provision of dental supplies, specifically Optibond Solo Plus Unidose Refill. Geographic impact is focused on South Dakota, where the Indian Health Service facility is located. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily affecting dental professionals who will use the supplies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Competitive award under SAP indicates a fair process.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Short duration minimizes long-term financial commitment risk.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare sector, specifically medical and dental equipment, is a critical area for government procurement. The Indian Health Service, a division of HHS, procures a wide range of supplies to serve Native American populations. Spending in this sub-sector is driven by patient care needs and the availability of specialized medical products. This contract fits within the broader category of medical supplies, which sees consistent demand.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting. Given the small dollar value and the nature of the product, it is unlikely to have significant subcontracting implications. The primary contractor, Lakota Enterprises Inc., is a small business, which aligns with general government goals to support small business vendors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the Department of Health and Human Services' internal procurement and financial management systems. As a small purchase order, it is subject to standard audit procedures. Transparency is maintained through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud or mismanagement were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Medical Supplies Procurement
Indian Health Service Contracts
Dental Equipment and Supplies

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $5,825.81 to LAKOTA ENTERPRISES INC. WAGNER DENTAL OPTIBOND SOLO PLUS UNIDOSE REFILL VENDOR LAKOTA ENTERPRISES INC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LAKOTA ENTERPRISES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Indian Health Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5,825.81.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-11-30. End: 2017-12-29.

What is the track record of Lakota Enterprises Inc. with federal contracts?

Lakota Enterprises Inc. has been awarded multiple federal contracts, primarily through the General Services Administration (GSA) schedules and other competitive processes. Their contract history indicates a focus on providing medical, dental, and hospital equipment and supplies. The data shows they have received awards from various agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services. The volume and value of their contracts suggest they are an established vendor within this niche. Further analysis would involve examining their performance ratings on past contracts and their ability to meet delivery schedules and quality standards across different awards.

How does the price of Optibond Solo Plus Unidose Refill compare to market rates?

Benchmarking the exact price of 'WAGNER DENTAL OPTIBOND SOLO PLUS UNIDOSE REFILL' is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of dental supply pricing across multiple vendors and contract vehicles. However, the awarded price of approximately $5,825.81 for a quantity that resulted in this total suggests a unit price that would need to be compared against GSA Advantage, commercial dental supply catalogs, and other government contract pricing. Given that this was competed under SAP with three bidders, it implies the price was competitive at the time of award. A detailed comparison would require obtaining quotes from other suppliers for the same or equivalent product.

What are the primary risks associated with this type of dental supply contract?

The primary risks associated with this type of dental supply contract are relatively low due to its nature. These include potential risks related to product quality and expiration dates, ensuring the supplies meet professional standards and are not nearing their expiry. Delivery timeliness is another minor risk, especially given the short performance period. For a small purchase order like this, the financial risk to the government is minimal. Contractor performance risk is also reduced by the firm fixed-price contract, which caps the government's financial exposure. The competitive bidding process helps mitigate risks related to overpricing.

How effective is the SAP procurement method for acquiring dental supplies?

The Small Acquisition Procedures (SAP) method is generally effective for acquiring routine supplies like dental materials when the total dollar value is below the established threshold (typically $10,000 for supply purchases, though this can vary). SAP allows for simplified acquisition processes, reducing administrative burden and speeding up delivery. For dental supplies, where needs can be immediate and specific, SAP facilitates quick procurement. The requirement for competition among at least three bidders, as seen in this case, ensures that even under SAP, a degree of price competition is maintained, contributing to value for money. However, for larger or more complex dental equipment needs, a more formal, extensive procurement process might be necessary.

What is the historical spending pattern for dental supplies by the Indian Health Service?

Historical spending patterns for dental supplies by the Indian Health Service (IHS) typically show consistent demand driven by the healthcare needs of Native American communities. The IHS procures a wide array of dental consumables, instruments, and equipment. Spending levels can fluctuate based on specific program needs, budget allocations, and the introduction of new dental technologies or treatments. Analyzing past IHS dental supply contracts would reveal trends in product types, average order values, and preferred vendors. This specific contract for Optibond Solo Plus Unidose Refill represents a small component of the overall IHS dental supply budget, which likely encompasses a much broader range of materials and services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Wholesale Trade › Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers › Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Lakota Contracting Inc

Address: 1600 MT VIEW STE 106, RAPID CITY, SD, 57702

Business Categories: American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,826

Exercised Options: $5,826

Current Obligation: $5,826

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline