Shukla Neuro Surgical Instrument Kit

The Department of Veterans Affairs, through Network Contracting Office 20 in Vancouver, Washington, has awarded a sole-source, firm-fixed-price contract for the Shukla Neuro Surgical Instrument Kit to S.S. White Technologies, Inc. The procurement, identified by solicitation number 36C26026P0641_1 and posted on July 22, 2026, was conducted under FAR Part 12.102(a) due to the proprietary and patented nature of the Shukla Spine-CTL system, which includes over 130 specialized drivers—forty-plus of which are unique to specific spinal implants and feature patented Helicopter Socket technology for extracting damaged or stripped screws. This instrument set is critical for the Portland VA Medical Center’s Neurosurgery Service Line, serving as a backup for both scheduled and emergency spinal revision procedures where compatibility with existing hardware and immediate availability are essential for patient safety and operational readiness. The system has been validated under VA Directive 1761 and approved by the Clinical Products Review Committee, affirming its clinical necessity and exclusivity, as no alternative devices meet the required technical specifications or performance standards. The contract has an estimated value capped at the FY2026 Simplified Acquisition Threshold of $258,000, with no options, line-item pricing, or modification details provided. Delivery is directed to the Portland VA Medical Center at 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, Oregon, 97239, with no specified delivery schedule or FOB terms. The award followed a non-competitive process with no formal evaluation factors, scoring, or solicitation of bids due to the unique, irreplaceable design of the equipment. No contracting officer’s representative or technical representative has been identified, and the contracting officer, Tracy Heath, retains full responsibility for administration. No packaging standards, inspection procedures beyond compliance with VA clinical directives, invoicing methods, or accounting codes are documented. The procurement aligns with sole-source justification standards under FAR 6.302-1, and while socioeconomic designations such as small business status were noted, no set-aside or preferred vendor categorization applies. The contract lacks standard FAR clauses, special requirements for security, key personnel, or conflict of interest provisions, and no electronic submission portal or formal proposal structure was prescribed, consistent with its non-competitive, direct award nature.