VA awards $60.5M for small bone power tools, with TRILLAMED LLC as the sole awardee

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $60,543 ($60.5K)

Contractor: Trillamed LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-05-29

Contract Duration: 49 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: SMALL BONE POWER TOOLS

Place of Performance

Location: SOUTHFIELD, OAKLAND County, MICHIGAN, 48076

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $60,542.72 to TRILLAMED LLC for work described as: SMALL BONE POWER TOOLS Key points: 1. The contract value of $60.5M for power tools appears substantial, warranting a review of unit costs and comparison to similar procurements. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, the process should have yielded competitive pricing, but the single awardee raises questions about bidder engagement. 3. The short performance period (49 days) suggests a specific, immediate need for these tools. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 339113 points to a specialized manufacturing sector for surgical appliances and supplies. 5. The contract's focus on 'small bone power tools' indicates a niche but critical requirement within surgical procedures. 6. The absence of small business set-aside flags suggests the primary awardee is not a small business, or the competition structure did not prioritize them.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of $60.5M for surgical power tools requires detailed specifications and comparison against industry standards and similar government contracts. Without specific unit details or a breakdown of the tools included, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. However, the significant dollar amount suggests a large quantity or highly specialized equipment. The fixed-price nature of the contract shifts risk to the contractor, which can be favorable for the government if the price is competitive.

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. Despite this broad solicitation, only one award was made to TRILLAMED LLC. This could imply that while the competition was open, only one offer was received, or that only one offer met all the technical and price requirements. The limited number of responsive bidders in an open competition scenario might suggest potential issues with the solicitation's clarity, the market's responsiveness, or the contractor's unique qualifications.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is generally beneficial for taxpayers as it aims to maximize the number of potential bidders, driving down prices through market forces. However, when only one award results from such a process, it raises concerns about whether the full potential for cost savings was realized.

Public Impact

Veterans receiving surgical care will benefit from the availability of these specialized power tools. The services delivered are the provision of critical surgical equipment essential for medical procedures. The contract's geographic impact is primarily within the facilities served by the Department of Veterans Affairs, potentially nationwide. The contract supports the healthcare workforce within the VA, ensuring they have the necessary tools for patient treatment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition despite 'full and open' designation, as only one awardee was identified.
The substantial contract value warrants scrutiny to ensure optimal pricing and avoid potential overspending.
Short performance duration might indicate urgent needs or a phased approach, requiring monitoring for follow-on requirements.

Positive Signals

Awarded through 'full and open competition,' suggesting an effort to leverage market competition.
The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract is for specialized medical equipment, indicating support for critical healthcare functions.

Sector Analysis

The medical device manufacturing sector, specifically for surgical instruments, is a highly specialized and regulated industry. This contract falls under the broader category of healthcare services and medical supplies. The market for surgical power tools is characterized by innovation, high research and development costs, and stringent quality control. Government spending in this area is significant, driven by the needs of agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense, as well as civilian healthcare providers. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be derived from other large-scale procurements of similar medical equipment by federal agencies or large hospital networks.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the competition was open to all business sizes, and the awardee, TRILLAMED LLC, may be a large business or that the specific requirements of the procurement did not lend themselves to a small business set-aside. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans, but the absence of a small business set-aside implies that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may be less likely unless proactively pursued by the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers responsible for medical equipment procurement. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified goods by a certain date. Transparency is facilitated by the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), which records contract actions. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to this procurement were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Medical Equipment Procurement
Surgical Instruments
Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare Services
Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Contracts (if applicable)
Defense Health Agency Procurements

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition despite 'full and open' designation.
Substantial contract value requires thorough price analysis.
Short performance period may indicate urgency or require close monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $60,542.72 to TRILLAMED LLC. SMALL BONE POWER TOOLS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRILLAMED 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 $60,542.72.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-05-29.

What is the specific type and quantity of 'small bone power tools' being procured under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact types or quantities of 'small bone power tools.' The contract description 'SMALL BONE POWER TOOLS' and the NAICS code '339113' (Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing) indicate the general category. To understand the specifics, one would need to review the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). This document would detail the technical specifications, models, accessories, and quantities required. Without this detailed information, it is impossible to assess the value for money or the precise impact on surgical capabilities.

How does the awarded price of $60.5M compare to market rates for similar surgical power tool sets?

Comparing the $60.5M award to market rates requires detailed product specifications and volume discounts. The Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) data provides the total award amount but lacks the granular detail (e.g., per-unit cost, specific models, bundled services) needed for a direct market comparison. To benchmark this value, one would typically look at publicly available catalogs from manufacturers like Stryker, DePuy Synthes, or Zimmer Biomet, and compare pricing for comparable surgical power equipment. Additionally, analyzing historical VA or DoD contracts for similar items, especially those awarded under competitive solicitations, would provide a more accurate benchmark. The firm fixed-price nature suggests the government sought a set cost, but the actual value depends heavily on the negotiated price relative to the market.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and delivery timelines associated with this contract?

The contract has a duration of 49 days, with a start date implied before the award and an end date of May 29, 2026. This short performance period suggests a need for rapid delivery or a specific, time-bound project phase. Key performance indicators (KPIs) would typically be outlined in the contract's SOW or PWS and could include metrics such as on-time delivery, product quality (e.g., defect rates), compliance with specifications, and potentially training or support requirements. Failure to meet these KPIs could result in contract penalties or termination. The specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided summary data.

What is TRILLAMED LLC's track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs and in supplying similar medical equipment?

The provided data identifies TRILLAMED LLC as the sole awardee for this $60.5M contract. To assess their track record, a deeper dive into FPDS and other government contract databases would be necessary. This would reveal past performance on VA contracts, including contract types, values, agencies served, and any reported performance issues or awards. Information regarding their experience specifically with surgical power tools and other medical devices would be crucial. A positive track record with successful past performance on similar contracts would increase confidence in their ability to fulfill this current requirement effectively. Conversely, a history of performance issues or contract disputes could signal potential risks.

What is the historical spending pattern for 'small bone power tools' or similar surgical equipment by the VA?

The provided data offers a snapshot of a single contract award. To understand historical spending patterns for 'small bone power tools' or related surgical equipment by the VA, extensive analysis of FPDS data over several fiscal years is required. This would involve searching for contracts using relevant keywords, NAICS codes (like 339113), and Product Service Codes (PSCs). Analyzing trends in contract values, awardees, competition levels, and contract types would reveal whether spending has increased, decreased, or remained stable. Such analysis could identify key suppliers, common procurement methods, and potential areas for cost savings or strategic sourcing.

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

Address: 30100 TELEGRAPH RD, BINGHAM FARMS, MI, 48025

Business Categories: Category Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $60,543

Exercised Options: $60,543

Current Obligation: $60,543

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36F79720D0041

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline