Steris Sterilizer Maintenance

The Department of Veterans Affairs, through its Network Contracting Office 15 in Leavenworth, Kansas, has awarded a sole-source maintenance contract to Steris Corporation for the servicing of Steris sterilization equipment at the St. Louis VA Medical Center in Missouri. This acquisition, identified by solicitation number 36C255-26-AP-2289, is justified under FAR 12.102(b) as a commercial item acquisition with no other responsible source due to Steris’s proprietary technology, exclusive authorization to service its equipment, and the risk of warranty voidance if non-OEM personnel perform maintenance. The contract provides for comprehensive preventative and corrective maintenance, including chamber cleanings, labor, travel, materials, and tools necessary to maintain operational readiness of sterilizers used in surgical, pathology, and laboratory departments, with the goal of extending equipment life beyond the original 10–20 year design lifespan to at least 2044. The performance period spans five years, beginning September 1, 2026, and includes one base year and four option years, with an estimated total contract value of $1,073,741.07 if all options are exercised, and annual pricing increases reflecting cost trends. The contract is structured as a firm-fixed price arrangement with no formal competition, as market research confirmed no small businesses or other vendors can meet the requirement. Maintenance services must be performed exclusively by Steris-trained technicians at the St. Louis location, and acceptance of work occurs on-site. No formal FAR clauses, packaging requirements, invoicing systems, COR/COTR designations, or detailed inspection criteria beyond OEM specifications are included, and the vendor’s size status or socioeconomic certifications were neither confirmed nor required under the sole-source justification. Contract administration is handled by the Network Contracting Office, with Jon Lutmer serving as the contracting officer and senior leadership providing oversight.