Perkins V Funding for Surgical Technology Programs
Short answer: yes, SyntheSurg simulators typically qualify as allowable Perkins V instructional supplies — and because every item we sell falls under the $10,000 equipment threshold, the approval path is lighter than most CTE purchases.
This page gives surgical technology instructors and CTE coordinators the language they need to justify the purchase internally. Copy it, adapt it, send it up the chain.
Why the $10,000 threshold matters to you
Texas Perkins V guidance defines equipment as single items greater than $10,000 with a useful life of at least one year. Capital equipment at that level carries heavier review, inventory tagging, and approval requirements.
SyntheSurg simulators range from $399 to $1,599 per unit. Every one falls well below that line, which means they are generally treated as instructional supplies and materials rather than capital equipment. In practice this is a materially simpler request for an instructor to get approved.
How our simulators map to Perkins V allowable-use criteria
| What the guidance requires | How SyntheSurg meets it |
|---|---|
| Enhances instruction so CTE students gain industry-standard knowledge and skills | Layered tissue construction lets students practice true multi-layer closure technique rather than single-layer foam approximation. |
| Supports high-wage, high-skill, or high-demand occupations | Surgical technology is a recognized high-demand health science occupation in Texas and nationally. |
| Used specifically for approved CTE courses or programs of study | Used directly in surgical technology skills labs and clinical preparation coursework. |
| Does not become part of a building structure | Portable, self-contained trainers. Nothing is affixed to the facility. |
| Necessary, reasonable, and allocable | Reusable design supports 50–100+ repetitions per pad, reducing recurring consumable spend rather than adding to it. |
Justification language you can paste into your request
Three paragraphs written to answer what a Perkins reviewer actually looks for. Adapt the bracketed parts to your program.
1. Need and CLNA alignment
Our Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment identified [a gap in hands-on skills preparation / insufficient practice repetitions prior to clinical placement] in the Surgical Technology program. Students currently have limited opportunity to practice layered wound closure before entering clinical rotation. Reusable multi-layer closure simulators directly address this identified need by providing unlimited in-lab repetitions on anatomically layered tissue.
2. Industry standard and occupational demand
Surgical technology is a high-demand occupation in our service area. Employers expect graduates to demonstrate competent tissue handling and closure technique on entry. These simulators replicate skin, fat, fascia, muscle, and peritoneal layers, along with embedded vessels and structures, allowing students to develop industry-standard technique on realistic anatomy rather than on improvised training materials.
3. Reasonableness, cost, and non-supplanting
Each simulator supports 50–100+ closure repetitions without needle-hole degradation, at a unit cost of [$X]. This represents a per-repetition cost substantially below single-use alternatives and reduces the program's recurring consumable expenditure. These funds would expand practice capacity beyond what current program resources support, and would not supplant existing local or state funding for the program.
What your Perkins coordinator will want on file
- A written quote on vendor letterhead — request one below
- Documented connection to your CLNA and approved local Perkins plan
- Confirmation the purchase is necessary, reasonable, and allocable to the CTE program
- Non-supplanting attestation
- Vendor W-9
Vendor information for your procurement file
| Legal entity | SyntheSurg LLC |
| Federal EIN | 42-3240956 |
| W-9 | Provided on request, same business day |
| Contact | info@synthesurg.com · 945-226-8660 |
How institutions purchase from SyntheSurg
- Purchase orders accepted. We invoice against a PO on standard institutional terms.
- Tax-exempt purchases supported. Send your exemption certificate with your order.
- Formal written quotes. We provide itemized quotes suitable for grant documentation and procurement files.
- Pilot programs available. We place limited no-cost 60-day pilots with programs evaluating the simulators before committing funds.
Request a quote or a pilot
Email info@synthesurg.com or call 945-226-8660 with your program name, institution, and the quantity you are considering. We will return a written quote, our W-9, and a spec sheet you can attach to your request.
Please note: Perkins V allowability is determined locally by your institution's Perkins coordinator and CTE administration, in line with your state's guidance and your approved local plan. The information on this page reflects published Texas guidance on allowable costs and is offered to help you prepare your request. It is not a determination of eligibility, and it is not legal, accounting, or grant compliance advice. Always confirm with your Perkins coordinator before committing funds.