VA awards $32M contract for surgical appliances to Stryker Sales, LLC, ensuring continued supply

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $32,028 ($32.0K)

Contractor: Stryker Sales, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-20

End Date: 2027-04-19

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $88/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: BIG WHEEL STRETCHERS

Place of Performance

Location: DURHAM, ORANGE County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27705

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $32,027.96 to STRYKER SALES, LLC for work described as: BIG WHEEL STRETCHERS Key points: 1. Contract ensures availability of essential surgical appliances, supporting patient care. 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. The contract duration of one year provides a defined period for service delivery. 5. Stryker Sales, LLC is the sole awardee, indicating their success in the competitive process. 6. The North Carolina location of the contractor may have logistical implications.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $32 million for a one-year period for surgical appliances appears reasonable given the nature of medical supplies. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized medical equipment would provide a more precise value assessment. The firm fixed-price structure offers cost predictability. Without specific details on the exact appliances, a direct per-unit cost comparison is challenging, but the overall award seems aligned with market expectations for such procurements.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. This method generally fosters a competitive environment, encouraging multiple bidders to vie for the contract. The number of bidders is not specified, but the process itself suggests that the VA sought the best value through a broad solicitation, which can lead to more favorable pricing and terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and high-quality goods or services, maximizing the value of federal dollars spent.

Public Impact

Veterans will benefit from the continued availability of necessary surgical appliances for their medical treatments. The contract supports the delivery of essential medical supplies to VA facilities. The primary geographic impact is within the VA healthcare system, serving veterans nationwide. The contract supports jobs within the surgical appliance manufacturing and distribution sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions if the contractor faces unforeseen operational issues.
Dependence on a single supplier for critical medical equipment could pose a risk.
Ensuring consistent quality and availability of specialized appliances requires ongoing monitoring.

Positive Signals

Award to an established company like Stryker Sales, LLC suggests a degree of reliability.
The firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the VA.
The competitive bidding process likely resulted in a fair market price.

Sector Analysis

The surgical appliance and supplies manufacturing sector is a critical component of the healthcare industry, providing essential tools for medical procedures. This contract falls within the broader medical device and equipment market, which is characterized by innovation, stringent quality controls, and significant government procurement. Federal spending in this area is substantial, driven by the needs of agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to ensure the health and readiness of service members and veterans.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by this award. However, the prime contractor, Stryker Sales, LLC, may engage small businesses in its supply chain or for support services, which would be at their discretion.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. Oversight mechanisms likely include regular performance reviews, quality assurance checks, and adherence to delivery schedules. Accountability is ensured through the contract terms and conditions, with potential penalties for non-performance. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are publicly reported.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Supplies Procurement
Surgical Equipment Contracts
Medical Device Manufacturing Contracts

Risk Flags

Single Source Award Risk
Supply Chain Dependency
Critical Medical Supply Availability

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $32,027.96 to STRYKER SALES, LLC. BIG WHEEL STRETCHERS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STRYKER SALES, 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 $32,027.96.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-20. End: 2027-04-19.

What is the historical spending pattern for surgical appliances by the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for surgical appliances by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is crucial for understanding trends, identifying potential cost efficiencies, and assessing the consistency of supply. While specific historical dollar amounts for this exact contract line item are not provided in the summary data, the VA consistently procures a wide range of medical supplies, including surgical appliances, to serve the veteran population. Past contract awards in this category would reveal the typical contract values, durations, and the number of competitors. Fluctuations in spending could be attributed to changes in veteran healthcare needs, technological advancements in surgical appliances, or shifts in procurement strategies. A detailed review of previous solicitations and awards for similar items would offer insights into whether this $32 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these critical supplies.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar surgical appliance contracts awarded by other federal agencies?

Comparing the pricing of this $32 million contract for surgical appliances to similar contracts awarded by other federal agencies, such as the Department of Defense or other health-focused entities, is essential for determining value for money. Without access to the specific line items and quantities within this award, a precise per-unit cost comparison is difficult. However, the fact that it was awarded under full and open competition suggests that the pricing was vetted against market rates. If comparable contracts exist with similar specifications and volumes, analyzing their award prices would reveal if Stryker Sales, LLC's pricing is competitive. Differences in pricing could be explained by variations in product specifications, delivery requirements, contract duration, or the competitive landscape at the time of each award. A comprehensive benchmark analysis would involve examining publicly available contract data for similar medical supplies across the federal government.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the contractor's performance under this agreement?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract would likely focus on ensuring the timely delivery, quality, and availability of surgical appliances to VA facilities. Specific KPIs might include on-time delivery rates, order fill rates, product defect rates, and compliance with storage and handling requirements. The VA would monitor these metrics to ensure that patient care is not disrupted due to supply issues. Performance would also be assessed against the terms of the firm fixed-price agreement, ensuring that costs remain within the agreed-upon budget. Regular performance reviews, potentially including site visits or data analysis reports from the contractor, would be part of the oversight process. Failure to meet critical KPIs could result in corrective actions or penalties, as stipulated in the contract.

What is the track record of Stryker Sales, LLC in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly for medical supplies?

Stryker Sales, LLC, as part of the larger Stryker Corporation, has a significant track record in supplying medical devices and equipment to the federal government, including the Department of Veterans Affairs. Stryker is a well-established company known for its range of orthopedic implants, surgical equipment, and neurotechnology products. Federal procurement databases would detail their past contract awards, including values, agencies served, and performance history. Generally, large, established companies like Stryker have extensive experience navigating federal contracting regulations and meeting performance expectations. However, as with any contractor, a review of past performance evaluations, any past performance issues or disputes, and their success rate in competitive bids would provide a more complete picture of their reliability and capability in fulfilling federal contracts for medical supplies.

What is the potential risk associated with relying on a single supplier for these critical surgical appliances?

The primary risk associated with relying on a single supplier, even one as established as Stryker Sales, LLC, is the potential for supply chain disruptions. Unforeseen events such as natural disasters, manufacturing issues, labor disputes, or transportation problems could impact the contractor's ability to deliver. This could lead to shortages of critical surgical appliances, potentially delaying medical procedures and impacting patient care within the VA system. Furthermore, a sole awardee might have less incentive to offer significant price reductions or service improvements over time compared to a market with multiple competing suppliers. The VA would likely mitigate this risk through robust contract management, including close monitoring of the supplier's inventory levels, production capacity, and contingency plans, as well as maintaining strong communication channels.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Stryker Sales LLC

Address: 3800 E CENTRE AVE, PORTAGE, MI, 49002

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $32,028

Exercised Options: $32,028

Current Obligation: $32,028

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36F79721D0021

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline