VA awards $33K for medical gases to Ras Enterprises LLC under a competitive process

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $32,995 ($33.0K)

Contractor: RAS Enterprises LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-02-01

End Date: 2026-02-28

Contract Duration: 27 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: EXPRESS REPORT: EXPRESS ORDER REPORT FOR VISN 12 MEDICAL GASES

Place of Performance

Location: GULFPORT, HARRISON County, MISSISSIPPI, 39501

State: Mississippi Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $32,995.33 to RAS ENTERPRISES LLC for work described as: EXPRESS REPORT: EXPRESS ORDER REPORT FOR VISN 12 MEDICAL GASES Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focused need for specific medical gas supplies. 2. The short duration of the delivery order indicates a need for immediate or short-term supply. 3. The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), implying a focus on efficiency for smaller dollar amounts. 4. The fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the VA. 5. The industrial gas manufacturing NAICS code suggests a standard product with established market pricing.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

This contract for medical gases is a small delivery order valued at approximately $33,000. Given the short duration and the nature of medical gases, the price appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar small-scale medical supply contracts would provide further context, but the fixed-price structure offers cost predictability. The value is well within the simplified acquisition threshold, suggesting a standard procurement process.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which is a method designed for procurements below the simplified acquisition threshold. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, competition under SAP generally aims to solicit offers from multiple sources to ensure fair and reasonable pricing. This approach is suitable for smaller dollar value contracts like this one.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently for smaller purchases, preventing overpayment and encouraging market responsiveness.

Public Impact

Veterans receiving care within VISN 12 will benefit from the availability of necessary medical gases. Essential medical services requiring gases like oxygen, nitrogen, or anesthetic gases will be supported. The contract ensures the continuity of care for patients requiring these critical supplies. The geographic impact is focused on facilities served by VISN 12.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed competition data (number of bidders) for SAP procurements can sometimes obscure the full extent of price discovery.
Short contract duration may necessitate frequent re-competition, potentially increasing administrative burden over time if not managed strategically.

Positive Signals

Use of a competitive process under SAP for a small dollar value contract demonstrates adherence to procurement principles.
Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the agency.
The contract supports critical healthcare services for veterans.

Sector Analysis

The industrial gas manufacturing sector (NAICS 325120) is a mature industry that supplies essential gases for various applications, including healthcare. The market is characterized by established players and standardized products. This contract represents a small portion of overall federal spending on medical supplies and services, fitting within the broader healthcare procurement landscape. Benchmarks for similar medical gas supply contracts would typically be in the tens of thousands for short-term or specific facility needs.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. As a small dollar value contract competed under SAP, it is possible that small businesses participated in the competition. However, without specific data, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' procurement regulations and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). The VA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) has jurisdiction to investigate potential fraud, waste, or abuse. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance metrics are not always publicly available for smaller contracts.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Supplies
VISN 12 Contracts
Medical Gases Procurement
Federal Healthcare Contracts

Risk Flags

Short contract duration may require frequent re-competition.
Limited public data on specific competition details for SAP procurements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $32,995.33 to RAS ENTERPRISES LLC. EXPRESS REPORT: EXPRESS ORDER REPORT FOR VISN 12 MEDICAL GASES

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 $32,995.33.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-02-01. End: 2026-02-28.

What is the track record of Ras Enterprises LLC with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Ras Enterprises LLC has received federal contracts, including this delivery order from the Department of Veterans Affairs. A comprehensive review of their contract history with the VA would involve examining past awards, performance evaluations, and any reported issues. Without access to detailed performance data or a broader contract history beyond this single entry, it is difficult to definitively assess their overall track record. However, the award of this contract suggests they met the basic requirements for consideration under the competitive SAP process.

How does the pricing of this medical gas contract compare to similar federal awards?

This contract is a small delivery order valued at $32,995.33 for a 27-day period. Given the limited duration and the nature of medical gases, which can have variable pricing based on type and purity, direct price comparison is challenging without knowing the specific gases ordered. However, for short-term, localized needs, this value appears within a reasonable range for federal procurements of this size. Larger, long-term contracts for bulk medical gases would likely have different per-unit costs and overall values.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract are relatively low due to its small value and short duration. Potential risks include supply chain disruptions affecting the delivery of critical medical gases, which could impact patient care. Another risk is the potential for price increases in future, similar procurements if market conditions change or if competition diminishes. Ensuring the quality and purity of the gases meets stringent medical standards is also a constant consideration in healthcare contracting.

How effective is the competition under SAP for ensuring value in medical gas procurement?

Competition under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) is generally effective for ensuring value on smaller dollar-value contracts like this one. SAP is designed to streamline the procurement process while still encouraging multiple offers. For commodity items like industrial or medical gases, where market prices are relatively well-understood, competition under SAP can lead to fair and reasonable pricing. However, the effectiveness is maximized when a sufficient number of capable vendors are aware of and participate in the solicitation.

What are the historical spending patterns for medical gases by the VA?

Historical spending patterns for medical gases by the VA are likely substantial, given the widespread use of these supplies across numerous medical facilities nationwide. The VA procures a vast array of medical equipment and consumables. While this specific contract is a small delivery order, the VA likely awards numerous larger contracts for medical gases on an ongoing basis to support its network of hospitals and clinics. Analyzing aggregate spending data would reveal trends in volume, types of gases procured, and average costs over time.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Basic Chemical Manufacturing › Industrial Gas Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

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: $32,995

Exercised Options: $32,995

Current Obligation: $32,995

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C77622D0012

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline