The Department of Veterans Affairs awarded a small contract to Edwards Lifesciences. The company will provide a replacement transcatheter aortic valve.
Why it matters
This is a routine purchase of an existing medical device. It does not change how medical devices are bought or used by the VA. It simply ensures a specific product is available when needed.
The signal
Watch for larger contracts that indicate a shift in procurement strategy for specific medical technologies, or new standards for device replacement.