VA awards $481,777 for Medical Gas Cylinders to RAS ENTERPRISES LLC under full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $48,178 ($48.2K)
Contractor: RAS Enterprises LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs
Start Date: 2026-06-01
End Date: 2027-05-31
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $132/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: MEDICAL GAS CYLINDERS MOD P00005
Place of Performance
Location: ALTOONA, BLAIR County, PENNSYLVANIA, 16602
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $48,177.6 to RAS ENTERPRISES LLC for work described as: MEDICAL GAS CYLINDERS MOD P00005 Key points: 1. The contract value is $481,777.60 over 364 days. 2. RAS ENTERPRISES LLC is the awardee. 3. The contract was awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs. 4. The NAICS code is 325120 (Industrial Gas Manufacturing).
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract is a firm fixed price delivery order. Pricing appears reasonable given the duration and nature of the product, but a direct benchmark is unavailable without more specific cost data.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. This suggests an initial exclusion, followed by a period of open competition. The pricing discovery may have been impacted by the initial exclusion, but the subsequent open competition likely mitigated this.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential medical supplies for veterans. The competitive nature of the award aims to ensure fair pricing.
Public Impact
Ensures supply of critical medical gas cylinders for VA facilities. Supports healthcare services for veterans. Award to RAS ENTERPRISES LLC contributes to business activity in the industrial gas sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition method requires further scrutiny.
- Lack of specific cost breakdown for unit pricing.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under a competitive process.
- Clear contract duration and delivery period.
Sector Analysis
The industrial gas manufacturing sector is critical for healthcare and various industrial applications. Spending benchmarks for medical gas cylinders can vary significantly based on volume, purity, and delivery method. This contract appears to be a standard procurement for essential medical supplies.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if RAS ENTERPRISES LLC is a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for oversight. The contract type (firm fixed price) and delivery order structure provide a degree of accountability for performance and cost.
Related Government Programs
- Industrial Gas Manufacturing
- Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
- Department of Veterans Affairs Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition method.
- Lack of detailed cost breakdown.
- Potential for price variation based on gas type/purity.
- Dependence on a single awardee for a critical supply.
Tags
industrial-gas-manufacturing, department-of-veterans-affairs, pa, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $48,177.6 to RAS ENTERPRISES LLC. MEDICAL GAS CYLINDERS MOD P00005
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RAS 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 $48,177.6.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-06-01. End: 2027-05-31.
What was the specific reason for excluding sources initially before opening the competition?
The reason for excluding sources prior to opening the competition is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such exclusions might stem from specific technical requirements, prior relationships, or unique capabilities. Understanding this rationale is crucial for assessing whether the subsequent 'full and open competition' truly provided the best possible price discovery and market access.
How does the unit cost of these medical gas cylinders compare to industry averages or other government contracts?
Without specific unit cost data or detailed product specifications (e.g., gas type, purity, cylinder size), a direct comparison is challenging. The total award of $481,777.60 over 364 days for 'MEDICAL GAS CYLINDERS' suggests a significant volume or specialized gases. Benchmarking would require access to detailed pricing information and comparable contract data within the healthcare or industrial gas sectors.
What is the potential risk associated with the 'limited' competition classification for this essential medical supply?
The 'limited' competition classification, even after an initial exclusion, presents a potential risk of suboptimal pricing or reduced vendor pool engagement. While 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' implies a competitive process, the initial exclusion might have inadvertently narrowed the field or signaled specific requirements that favored certain vendors, potentially impacting the final price achieved for taxpayers.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Basic Chemical Manufacturing › Industrial Gas Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2512 25TH AVE STE 3, GULFPORT, MS, 39501
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $48,178
Exercised Options: $48,178
Current Obligation: $48,178
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 36C24422D0140
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-06-01
Current End Date: 2027-05-31
Potential End Date: 2027-05-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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