VA awards $29,270 for Below Elbow Myoelectric Prosthetic Control

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,270 ($29.3K)

Contractor: Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 85 days

Daily Burn Rate: $344/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: BELOW ELBOW MYOELECTRONIC CT

Place of Performance

Location: FLORENCE, FLORENCE County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29506

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $29,270.03 to HANGER PROSTHETICS & ORTHOTICS INC for work described as: BELOW ELBOW MYOELECTRONIC CT Key points: 1. High per-unit cost for a prosthetic component. 2. Limited competition due to specific product needs. 3. Potential risk of higher costs without competitive bidding. 4. Sector: Healthcare supplies, specifically prosthetics.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The per-unit cost appears high compared to similar prosthetic components. Further benchmarking against industry standards for myoelectric controls is recommended to assess value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed under SAP, suggesting a limited competition approach. This may have impacted price discovery and potentially led to a higher price than if fully competed.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds may be used inefficiently if the price is not optimized through competition.

Public Impact

Veterans receiving advanced prosthetic devices benefit from this spending. Ensures availability of specialized medical equipment for rehabilitation. Supports the healthcare supply chain for prosthetic and orthotic devices.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

High unit cost
Limited competition
Potential for price inflation

Positive Signals

Supports veteran healthcare needs
Procurement of specialized medical technology

Sector Analysis

Spending in the surgical appliance and supplies manufacturing sector, particularly for advanced prosthetics, is critical for patient rehabilitation. Benchmarks for similar myoelectric control systems are needed for accurate valuation.

Small Business Impact

No information is available regarding small business participation in this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were considered or excluded.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for this procurement. Oversight should focus on ensuring fair pricing and appropriate justification for limited competition.

Related Government Programs

Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

High unit cost
Limited competition
Lack of price benchmark
Potential for sole-source reliance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $29,270.03 to HANGER PROSTHETICS & ORTHOTICS INC. BELOW ELBOW MYOELECTRONIC CT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HANGER PROSTHETICS & ORTHOTICS INC.

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 $29,270.03.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the typical per-unit cost for a comparable Below Elbow Myoelectric Control system in the current market?

The typical per-unit cost for a comparable Below Elbow Myoelectric Control system can vary significantly based on features, brand, and technology. However, prices generally range from $5,000 to $15,000. The awarded price of $29,270.03 for a single unit appears to be at the higher end or potentially above the typical market range, warranting further investigation into the specific components and justification for the cost.

What specific factors justified the limited competition for this prosthetic control?

Justification for limited competition typically involves factors such as unique technical requirements, proprietary technology, urgent need, or lack of available sources. For this prosthetic control, it's possible that Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics Inc. holds specific patents or exclusive distribution rights, or that the VA has established a long-standing relationship with them for specialized components critical to veteran care.

How effectively does this procurement ensure the best value for taxpayer dollars given the limited competition?

Ensuring best value with limited competition is challenging. While the VA may have negotiated the best possible price under the circumstances, the absence of a competitive bidding process inherently reduces the pressure for cost optimization. The VA should have robust internal documentation justifying the limited competition and demonstrating that the price, while potentially higher than a competed scenario, is fair and reasonable for the specific product and service provided.

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: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Hanger, Inc.

Address: 326 S DARGAN ST, FLORENCE, SC, 29506

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,270

Exercised Options: $29,270

Current Obligation: $29,270

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline