VA awards $27K for surgical hoods, highlighting potential for better price discovery through competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,036 ($27.0K)

Contractor: Stryker Sales, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-05-22

Contract Duration: 49 days

Daily Burn Rate: $552/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: STERI-SHIELD 8 SURGICAL HOODS - WPB VAMC

Place of Performance

Location: RIVIERA BEACH, PALM BEACH County, FLORIDA, 33410

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $27,035.9 to STRYKER SALES, LLC for work described as: STERI-SHIELD 8 SURGICAL HOODS - WPB VAMC Key points: 1. The contract for surgical hoods was awarded via a purchase order, indicating a need for rapid procurement. 2. The relatively small award amount suggests this may be for a specific facility or limited need. 3. The absence of competition raises questions about whether the government secured the best possible price. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 339113 points to the surgical appliance and supplies manufacturing sector. 5. The contract duration is short, spanning just under two months, suggesting a tactical purchase rather than a long-term strategic one.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award of $27,035.90 for 552 surgical hoods represents a per-unit cost of approximately $49.00. Without competitive bids or a clear benchmark for similar surgical hoods, it is difficult to definitively assess value for money. However, given the sole-source nature of the award, there is a risk that the price may not be as competitive as it could be if multiple vendors had participated.

Cost Per Unit: $49.00 per unit

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as 'NOT COMPETED,' indicating a sole-source procurement. This means that only one vendor, Stryker Sales, LLC, was solicited for this purchase. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to explore alternative suppliers and potentially negotiate lower prices. It is unclear from the provided data why this procurement was not competed.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can lead to higher costs for taxpayers as there is no market pressure to drive down prices. This limits the efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

Surgical hoods are essential personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare professionals, ensuring patient and provider safety during procedures. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the primary beneficiary, receiving the supplies for use within its facilities. The contract is geographically focused on Florida (ST), indicating the supplies will be delivered to a VA facility in that state. The procurement supports the healthcare workforce by ensuring they have the necessary equipment to perform their duties safely.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in higher per-unit costs for taxpayers.
Sole-source awards can indicate potential single points of failure in supply chains if not managed carefully.
Limited transparency into the justification for not competing the award.

Positive Signals

Ensures availability of critical medical supplies for VA healthcare professionals.
Supports a specific need within the VA healthcare system.
Award to a known supplier (Stryker Sales, LLC) may indicate a pre-existing relationship or specialized product.

Sector Analysis

The surgical appliance and supplies manufacturing sector is a critical component of the broader healthcare industry, providing essential equipment for medical procedures. Spending in this sector is driven by demand from hospitals, clinics, and government healthcare providers like the VA. While this specific award is small, it represents a typical type of procurement for consumable medical supplies. Benchmarking this specific purchase against broader industry spending is challenging without more detailed product specifications and market data.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not competed and there is no indication of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. Therefore, this award does not appear to directly benefit small businesses or contribute to small business subcontracting goals. The focus was on fulfilling a specific need, and the procurement method did not prioritize small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The award is a purchase order issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Oversight would typically involve internal VA procurement review processes and potentially audits by the VA Office of Inspector General if significant concerns arise regarding the procurement's justification or pricing. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and the lack of publicly available justification for the non-competitive award.

Related Government Programs

Medical Supplies Procurement
Veterans Health Administration Contracts
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Contracts
Surgical Equipment Purchases

Risk Flags

Sole-source award without clear justification
Potential for inflated pricing due to lack of competition
Limited transparency into procurement decision

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $27,035.9 to STRYKER SALES, LLC. STERI-SHIELD 8 SURGICAL HOODS - WPB VAMC

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 $27,035.9.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-05-22.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded as 'NOT COMPETED' (CT: NOT COMPETED), suggesting a sole-source procurement. However, the specific justification for this decision is not included in the data. Typically, sole-source awards are made when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services, or in cases of urgent and compelling need. Without further documentation from the Department of Veterans Affairs, it is impossible to determine the precise reason for bypassing the competitive bidding process for these surgical hoods. This lack of transparency can raise concerns about potential inefficiencies or missed opportunities for cost savings.

How does the per-unit cost of $49.00 for these surgical hoods compare to market rates or similar VA contracts?

The per-unit cost for the STERI-SHIELD 8 SURGICAL HOODS is approximately $49.00 ($27,035.90 / 552 units). Benchmarking this price is challenging without knowing the exact specifications of the 'STERI-SHIELD 8' model and its features. However, general market research for surgical hoods can provide some context. Prices for surgical hoods can vary significantly based on material, brand, quantity, and specific certifications (e.g., fluid resistance, anti-static properties). A quick review of general medical supply catalogs suggests that prices can range from under $10 to over $50 per unit for specialized or high-performance hoods. Given the sole-source nature of this award, it is difficult to ascertain if $49.00 represents a competitive market price or if a better value could have been achieved through competition.

What is Stryker Sales, LLC's track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Stryker Sales, LLC is a known entity within the medical supply industry. While this specific data point only shows one award, a broader search of federal procurement databases would likely reveal a history of contracts between Stryker and various federal agencies, including potentially the VA. Stryker is a large, established company that provides a wide range of medical devices and equipment. Their track record with the VA would typically involve assessing past performance on similar contracts, including on-time delivery, product quality, and adherence to contract terms. Without access to that broader contract history, it's difficult to provide a detailed assessment of their specific track record on this particular type of supply.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a contract for essential medical supplies on a sole-source basis?

Awarding essential medical supplies on a sole-source basis carries several potential risks. Firstly, it can lead to higher costs for taxpayers, as the absence of competition removes the incentive for vendors to offer their best pricing. Secondly, it can limit supply chain resilience; relying on a single source for critical items can be problematic if that supplier experiences production issues, delivery delays, or goes out of business. Thirdly, it reduces transparency and accountability in the procurement process, making it harder to justify the expenditure and ensure fair market value was obtained. Finally, it may stifle innovation and prevent smaller, potentially more agile suppliers from entering the market or offering competitive alternatives.

How does this contract fit into the VA's overall spending on surgical supplies?

This contract for $27,035.90 represents a very small portion of the Department of Veterans Affairs' overall spending on surgical supplies. The VA operates a vast network of healthcare facilities across the country and procures a wide array of medical equipment and consumables on a continuous basis. Annual spending on surgical supplies alone likely runs into the tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. This specific purchase order for 552 surgical hoods is a tactical procurement, likely to meet an immediate or short-term need at a particular facility in Florida. It does not appear to be part of a larger strategic sourcing initiative or a significant long-term commitment.

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

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 36C24826Q0537

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1941 STRYKER WAY, 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: $27,036

Exercised Options: $27,036

Current Obligation: $27,036

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline