First Nation Group
First Nation Group is a privately held, veteran-founded SDVOSB distributor of medical-surgical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and durable medical equipment serving the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense through federal contract vehicles, with ACHC-accredited remote patient setup services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersNiceville, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What First Nation Group does
First Nation Group, founded in 1992 by Cheryl Nilsson (Col USAF, Ret.), is a privately held Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business and Veteran-Owned Small Business headquartered in Niceville, Florida, that distributes medical-surgical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and durable medical equipment to U.S. federal healthcare customers, principally the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense. The company operates through three core units: a medical-surgical distribution business covering home care (CPAP resupply, oxygen therapy, sleep therapy, ventilation, respiratory therapy, wound care) and hospital categories (operating room, patient monitoring, ophthalmology); a Pharmaceuticals Division added in 2020 that distributes generic drugs and private-label, TAA-compliant pharmaceuticals with DSCSA-compliant EDI; and the VMS Division (est. 2002), a wholly-owned SDVOSB subsidiary focused on durable medical equipment and the Honor Line private-label brand. Patient Solutions, an ACHC-accredited remote-setup and installation service delivered by licensed Respiratory Therapists, extends the company into direct-to-Veteran care. Distribution is enabled by 155,000+ square feet of warehouse capacity across six locations in Florida, Colorado, and Michigan, with same-day shipment capability and access to multiple federal contract vehicles (FSS, DAPA, MSPV, DLC PAP IDIQ).
The business model is primarily transaction-based distribution of medical-surgical and pharmaceutical products on federal contract vehicles, supplemented by per-use remote-setup professional services and private-label hardware sales through VMS Honor Line. Pricing is quote-based through government schedules, with the company self-reporting lowest FSS pricing on over 90% of products and a less than 1% pick-and-pack error rate. The proprietary RxViewFIRST platform provides federal purchasing and pricing analytics for pharmaceutical contracting decisions. The go-to-market combines an enterprise field-sales motion (clinically trained representatives calling on VA and DoD facilities), direct-to-patient delivery for home-care and CPAP resupply, and authorized-distributor channel relationships with leading OEMs including ResMed, Philips Respironics, Fisher & Paykel, Smith+Nephew, GE Healthcare, Medtronic, and Drive Medical. Customer concentration is high: VA and DoD are the principal end customers across all segments.
The organization is led by CEO Kennedy Nilsson (CPT USAR) and President Steve Baugh, supported by COO Wendy Tommelleo, CFO Rob Platt, and division presidents for Pharmaceuticals (Stephen Flannery, ex-Cardinal Health) and VMS (Michael Schwandt). Headcount is reported at 125+ across HQ, distribution, and field operations. Recent strategic activity includes a 2024 launch of The First Nation Group Foundation, 2026 hospital portfolio expansion, the June 2026 DeVilbiss 555 Oxygen Concentrator launch, and a 2026 long-term warehouse lease in St. Petersburg, FL, indicating steady catalog and capacity expansion within the federal medical-surgical channel.
First Nation Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- First Nation Group
- Legal name
- First Nation Group, LLC
- Website
- https://firstnationgroup.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- First Nation Group is a privately held, veteran-founded SDVOSB distributor of medical-surgical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and durable medical equipment serving the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense through federal contract vehicles, with ACHC-accredited remote patient setup services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
First Nation Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Government Medical-Surgical Equipment Distribution
- NAICS
- Professional Organizations (81392), Business Associations (813910)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Multilateral Global Health Agencies (UN/IFIs) (HLAJAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Communicable Disease Prevention & Control (HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, NTDs) (BPADAIAA)
Keywords
Where First Nation Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Niceville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
First Nation Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Medical-Surgical Equipment Distribution: Distribution of medical-surgical equipment and supplies to federal government including VA, DoD, and other agencies. Products include respiratory therapy, sleep therapy, ventilation, wound care, patient monitoring, and hospital equipment. Revenue generated through various government contract vehicles including FSS, DAPA, MSPV, and direct Prime Vendor relationships.
- Pharmaceutical Distribution: Distribution of generic pharmaceuticals to Government healthcare facilities including VA and Department of War. Includes private label pharmaceutical products and TAA-compliant sourcing. DSCSA compliant with EDI capability for regulated pharmaceutical supply chain.
- Patient Solutions Services: Remote setup and installation services for medical devices including CPAP therapy, ventilation, and respiratory equipment. Services conducted by licensed Respiratory Therapists with cloud-based patient data access. ACHC accreditation available for select offerings.
- Private Label Manufacturing: VMS Honor Line private label products engineered for Government contracts through VMS Division, offering easy assembly and ready-out-of-box delivery of bath safety, mobility, women's health products, and therapeutic support surfaces.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | MSPV Formulary Products |
| Other | Per use | Remote Setup Services |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Pharmaceutical Products |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
First Nation Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
First Nation Group is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) distributor of medical-surgical equipment, supplies, and generic pharmaceuticals to U.S. federal government healthcare customers including the VA and DoD. The company distributes through multiple government contract vehicles and provides ACHC-accredited Patient Solutions remote setup services for home-based therapies, complemented by private label durable medical equipment manufacturing through its VMS Division.
Product overview
First Nation Group is a premier Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) distributor of medical-surgical equipment, supplies, and pharmaceuticals to the Federal Government. The company operates through distinct divisions: a core medical-surgical distribution business offering home care products (CPAP resupply, oxygen therapy, respiratory therapy, sleep therapy, ventilation, wound care) and hospital products (operating room, patient monitoring, ophthalmology); a Pharmaceuticals Division for generic drug distribution with private label capabilities; and a VMS Division for durable medical equipment. The company provides Patient Solutions—a remote setup and installation service for diagnostics and therapies conducted by licensed Respiratory Therapists—as a key differentiator. Additional offerings include the proprietary RxViewFIRST analytics platform and an Educational Showcase Series providing CEU-eligible training to VA/DoD clinicians. Products are distributed through multiple Government contract vehicles including FSS, DAPA, MSPV, and DLC PAP IDIQ.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- VMS Honor Line: Private label products engineered for Government contracts, easy to assemble and ready out of the box
- RxViewFIRST
Products and services
- Patient Solutions Comprehensive remote setup and installation service for diagnostics and home-based therapies, conducted by licensed Respiratory Therapists, providing Veterans with comfort and confidence in managing their care. Includes patient education and cloud-based data access for CPAP, BiPAP, ventilation, and respiratory therapy devices.
- Home Care Products Comprehensive in-home care product portfolio for Veterans and federal healthcare patients, including CPAP resupply, digital health technology, oxygen therapy, patient mobility, respiratory therapy, sleep diagnostics, sleep therapy, ventilation, and wound care management products.
- Hospital Products Acute care and hospital product portfolio for federal hospitals including operating room equipment, ophthalmology products, oxygen analysis and delivery, patient care stands, patient monitoring, and prolonged field care solutions.
- Pharmaceuticals Division Private label and partner generic pharmaceutical distribution serving the Government market with TAA-compliant sourcing, DSCSA compliance with EDI/serialization, and FSS 65IB contract vehicle access for VA and DoD facilities.
- VMS Division (Veterans Medical Supply) Durable medical equipment and home-based care solutions division specializing in bath safety, mobility, women's health products, therapeutic support surfaces, and private label manufacturing under the Honor Line brand for Government contracts.
- Educational Showcase Series Virtual and in-clinic educational sessions covering clinical topics such as airway clearance, sleep therapy, respiratory support, and wound care. Live and on-demand webinars (select CEU-eligible) led by clinical experts and OEM partners, plus Skills Day hands-on product education events customized to VAMC priorities.
Quantifiable outcome
- Same-day shipment capability for rapid deployment
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use First Nation Group
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
First Nation Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
First Nation Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
24 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- EML Realty PartnersminorFlorida-based industrial investment firm. First Nation Group is a tenant in EML's industrial warehouse property in St. Petersburg, FL, under a long-term lease arrangement.
- ResMedcoreAuthorized government distributor representing ResMed products including AirSense 11 CPAP/BiPAP devices, masks, and accessories for sleep therapy solutions serving VA and DoD patients.
- Fisher & Paykel HealthcarecoreAuthorized government distributor for F&P myAirvo 2 Humidified High Flow System and related respiratory products for home and acute care settings.
- Smith+NephewcoreAuthorized distributor for RENASYS EDGE Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) systems and wound care products for patient solutions program.
- ABM Respiratory CarecoreAuthorized distributor for BiWaze Cough System and BiWaze Clear respiratory therapy devices with remote setup capabilities through patient solutions.
- CAIRE, Inc.coreAuthorized distributor for FreeStyle Comfort Portable Oxygen Concentrators and related oxygen therapy products.
- Philips RespironicscoreAuthorized government distributor representing Philips sleep therapy and respiratory care products for VA and federal healthcare facilities.
- GE HealthcarecoreAuthorized distributor for anesthesia delivery systems, CO2 absorber canisters, and operating room equipment for VA hospitals.
- Medtronic (Covidien)coreAuthorized distributor for Shiley tracheostomy tubes and respiratory care products including suction units.
- Drive MedicalcoreAuthorized distributor for durable medical equipment including wheelchairs, bathroom safety, and respiratory therapy products.
- SomnicscoreAuthorized distributor for iNAP One Sleep Therapy System - alternative sleep therapy device for obstructive sleep apnea treatment through patient solutions.
- AirAvant MedicalcoreAuthorized distributor for Bongo Rx EPAP sleep apnea therapy devices with remote setup options.
- BreascoreAuthorized distributor for Vivo ventilators and related respiratory support equipment for home care settings.
- NonincoreAuthorized distributor for pulse oximetry and capnography monitoring equipment for patient care.
- RespirTechcoreAuthorized distributor for InCourage airway clearance vest therapy systems for Veterans with respiratory conditions.
- O2 ConceptscoreAuthorized distributor for Oxlife Independence portable oxygen concentrators for patient mobility.
- BioTissuecoreAuthorized distributor for AmnioGraft ophthalmology products for ocular surface repair and protection.
- Urgo MedicalcoreAuthorized distributor for Vashe Wound Solution and wound care management products including cleansers and advanced dressings.
- ZEPHYRxcoreAuthorized distributor for home spirometry solutions with remote setup and monitoring capabilities for respiratory therapy.
- ActivInsightscoreAuthorized distributor for GENEActiv research wearables and actigraphy devices for sleep diagnostics and clinical research.
- NightWarecoreAuthorized distributor for Nightmare Disorder and PTSD sleep therapy solutions for Veterans.
- React HealthcoreAuthorized distributor for Stratus stationary oxygen concentrators and related respiratory products.
- The Coalition for Common Sense in Government ProcurementcorePharmaceutical Subcommittee membership providing insight into federal pharmaceutical procurement opportunities and early awareness of regulatory changes affecting procurement.
- Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs)corePartnership with Veteran Service Organizations and military nonprofits to tackle complex health and social issues including Veteran homelessness, suicide prevention, adaptive sports, mental health programs, and women's health.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
First Nation Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Apria Healthcare: Home medical equipment and respiratory therapy provider with substantial VA and federal payer exposure. Overlaps with FNG's Patient Solutions and home respiratory offerings, particularly around CPAP and home ventilation.
Broad incumbents
- Cardinal Health: Major medical-surgical and pharmaceutical distributor serving hospitals, pharmacies, and federal healthcare including VA/DoD. Highly comparable in product breadth and customer overlap, though Cardinal operates at massively greater scale across many verticals. Stephen Flannery, FNG's Pharmaceuticals President, spent 22 years at Cardinal Health.
- McKesson: Largest pharmaceutical and medical-surgical distributor in North America with federal healthcare accounts and broad respiratory/sleep/wound care portfolios. Comparable products and customers but at vastly greater scale and scope.
- Owens & Minor: Medical-surgical distribution and patient-direct businesses with federal government healthcare exposure. Comparable in med-surg distribution but with much broader commercial and acute-care footprint.
- Medline Industries: Largest privately held medical-surgical manufacturer and distributor with a strong federal/government healthcare practice. Direct competitor in many of the same product categories and federal contract vehicles that FNG uses.
- Henry Schein: Distributor of medical, dental, and animal health products with government healthcare offerings. Comparable federal distribution model, though broader portfolio and different end markets.
- Bunzl: International distribution and outsourcing company with a healthcare segment distributing medical-surgical supplies to hospitals and federal customers. Comparable med-surg product distribution at much larger scale and broader geographic reach.
Direct peers
- Concordance Healthcare Solutions: Medical-surgical distributor formed from the merger of NDC, SFI, and Seneca, serving acute care, primary care, and government markets. Comparable med-surg distribution with federal healthcare presence.
- American Medical Depot: Medical-surgical distributor focused on federal government customers (VA, DoD, IHS) with comparable contract vehicles and product categories. Closest head-to-head competitor in federal medical-surgical distribution at a similar scale.
- Patriot Contract Services: SDVOSB medical equipment and supply distributor serving federal government customers. Comparable SDVOSB positioning and VA/DoD contracting model; small-scale direct competitor leveraging similar set-aside advantages.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
First Nation Group social profiles
Digital presenceFirst Nation Group compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
First Nation Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
First Nation Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
First Nation Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
First Nation Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
First Nation Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about First Nation Group
What does First Nation Group do?
First Nation Group is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) distributor of medical-surgical equipment, supplies, and generic pharmaceuticals to U.S. federal government healthcare customers including the VA and DoD. The company distributes through multiple government contract vehicles and provides ACHC-accredited Patient Solutions remote setup services for home-based therapies, complemented by private label durable medical equipment manufacturing through its VMS Division.
Is First Nation Group a public or private company?
First Nation Group is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was First Nation Group founded?
First Nation Group was founded in 1992. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is First Nation Group based?
First Nation Group is headquartered in Niceville, United States, in the North America region.
How does First Nation Group make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Medical-Surgical Equipment Distribution is the primary driver. The others are pharmaceutical Distribution, patient Solutions Services and private Label Manufacturing.
Who are First Nation Group's main competitors?
Apria Healthcare is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Cardinal Health, McKesson, Owens & Minor, Medline Industries, Henry Schein and Bunzl. Direct peers are Concordance Healthcare Solutions, American Medical Depot and Patriot Contract Services.
Does First Nation Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for First Nation Group.
What industry is First Nation Group in?
First Nation Group's product category is Government Medical-Surgical Equipment Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAJAKAA, Multilateral Global Health Agencies (UN/IFIs), with a secondary code of BPADAIAA, Communicable Disease Prevention & Control (HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, NTDs). Its NAICS code is 81392 and its SIC code is 5122.