Department of Veterans Affairs Awarded a Contract to STRYKER SALES, LLC for $5,538,326.30

Summary of Award

The JSON response from usaspending.gov outlines an important federal contract between the U.S. government and Stryker Sales, LLC. This contract, identified by the unique award ID "CONT_IDV_36C10G21D0024_3600," represents an indefinite delivery/requirements type contract (IDV_B_A). Such contracts are used when the government cannot determine the exact quantity of goods or services needed at the time of entering into the agreement. They are especially useful for products that must be delivered on a recurring basis or as needed.

The contract was signed on August 6, 2021, with a performance period starting on September 1, 2021, and extending through August 31, 2024. It is crucial to note this type of agreement facilitates the acquisition of products on a flexible schedule, allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs to meet its ongoing needs without having to renegotiate terms.

The awarded contract relates to "NX EQ AUTOMATED CARDIAC RESUSCITATORS," falling under the NAICS code 339112 – "Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing." This categorization indicates the products are part of a broader segment of medical equipment manufacturing. With a firmly set contract value encapsulating base and all options amounting to $5,538,326.30, the financial obligation here underscores the government’s commitment to acquire automated cardiac resuscitators, critical pieces of medical equipment intended for improving emergency response capabilities across healthcare facilities managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. However, the total obligation of the contract stands at $0, indicating the possibility that orders have not yet been placed against this IDV. The award details point to a full and open competition process, suggesting four offers were received, with the ultimate decision anchored on an assessment devoid of any set-asides for small businesses or other preferential categories. This full and open competition typically implies a judicious and thoroughly considered selection process, ensuring that the chosen contractor, in this case, Stryker Sales, LLC, offered the best value proposition. Stryker Sales, LLC, the contract recipient, is a well-established entity in the medical equipment manufacturing space, headquartered at 3800 E Centre Ave, Portage, Michigan. The business is characterized by several categories, including being a corporate entity not tax-exempt and a manufacturer of goods, particularly under the special designation of a U.S.-owned business. More specifically, Stryker specializes in the innovation and provision of medical technologies, offering a diverse range of products including surgical instruments, orthopedics, and other critical patient care devices. Automated cardiac resuscitators, the subject of this contract, are vital in medical emergencies, reflecting Stryker's capabilities in delivering technology-driven health solutions aimed at improving patient outcomes and healthcare efficiencies. The contract is administered by the Strategic Acquisition Center Fredericksburg, an office within the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) operates as both the awarding and funding agency, demonstrating its internal capacity to manage contracts of this magnitude without needing inter-agency cooperation. This alignment of awarding and funding responsibilities often simplifies the logistical, administrative, and oversight processes associated with federal contracts. Considering the elements of subcontracting, no subcontracting plans are noted within this agreement – signifying that the entire project execution rests with the prime contractor, Stryker Sales, LLC. This is indicative of Stryker’s capability and resources to fulfill the contract obligations, ensuring streamlined processes and accountability from a single source provider. The contract is characterized by a firm-fixed-price arrangement, which is a common type of contract pricing used by the government for projects where the costs are predictable, and the financial responsibility rests heavily on the contractor to control costs and deliver the completion as per the terms agreed upon. Despite a comprehensive description of the contract within the JSON data, transactional details are absent, possibly accruing from the contract’s inherent nature or the timing of the data extraction. Therefore, it remains speculative when individual transactions and orders might start to reflect against this contract ID, marking an essential point for subsequent financial tracking and analysis of government spending regarding this specific contract. In summary, this federal contract between the Department of Veterans Affairs and Stryker Sales, LLC, is a strategic acquisition aimed at equipping VA hospitals with critical medical devices. It underscores the importance of public-private partnerships in enhancing governmental healthcare infrastructure while facilitating the efficient use of taxpayer dollars through a competitive procurement process. This approach not only ensures value for money but also bolsters the readiness of healthcare services provided to veterans, aligned with the core mission and values of the Department of Veterans Affairs.