DOJ's $3.35M contract for inpatient/outpatient medical services at UMASS Medical School awarded without competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,349,994 ($3.3M)

Contractor: University of Massachusetts Medical School

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-12-01

End Date: 2026-04-03

Contract Duration: 123 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27.2K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: UMASS COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL INPATIENT & OUTPATIENT SERVICES DOS: DECEMBER 1, 2025 - DECEMBER 31, 2025 ADD FUNDING TO HEADER ACCOUNTING.

Place of Performance

Location: WORCESTER, WORCESTER County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01655

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $3.3 million to UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SCHOOL for work described as: UMASS COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL INPATIENT & OUTPATIENT SERVICES DOS: DECEMBER 1, 2025 - DECEMBER 31, 2025 ADD FUNDING TO HEADER ACCOUNTING. Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, indicating defined costs for services. 2. The contract duration is 123 days, suggesting a short-term or interim need. 3. Services are for the Federal Prison System, highlighting a critical need for inmate healthcare. 4. The award was not competed, raising questions about potential cost savings through competition. 5. The contract value is approximately $3.35 million for the specified period. 6. The geographic location is Massachusetts, serving inmates within the state. 7. This contract falls under general medical and surgical hospital services.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this specific contract is challenging without comparable sole-source awards for similar inpatient and outpatient medical services within federal correctional facilities. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, but the absence of competition prevents an assessment of whether the price is the most advantageous achievable in the market. Further analysis would require understanding the specific scope of services and the prevailing market rates for such specialized healthcare provision to inmates.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. The Department of Justice likely determined that only the University of Massachusetts Medical School could provide the necessary specialized medical services for the Federal Prison System. The lack of competition means that price discovery through a bidding process did not occur, potentially leading to a higher cost than if multiple offers had been considered.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the best possible price due to the absence of a competitive bidding process. Without competition, there is less pressure on the contractor to offer the lowest feasible cost for the services rendered.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System in Massachusetts will receive comprehensive inpatient and outpatient medical services. The contract ensures continuity of care for a vulnerable population. The services are critical for maintaining the health and well-being of the incarcerated population. This supports the operational requirements of the Bureau of Prisons by providing essential healthcare infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in suboptimal pricing for taxpayers.
Sole-source awards can limit opportunities for other qualified providers to enter the market.
Dependence on a single provider for critical services can pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Ensures specialized medical services are available to a critical population.
UMass Medical School is a recognized institution likely capable of providing high-quality care.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Healthcare sector, specifically focusing on hospital services. The Federal Prison System, managed by the Bureau of Prisons, is a significant purchaser of healthcare services to meet the needs of its inmate population. While the exact market size for sole-source correctional healthcare contracts is difficult to ascertain, the overall federal spending on healthcare services is substantial. This contract represents a specific instance of the government procuring essential medical care for a unique demographic.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve a small business set-aside. As a sole-source award to a large academic medical institution, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from this specific award. The focus is on securing specialized medical services rather than fostering small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's Bureau of Prisons contracting and program management officials. Accountability measures would be defined within the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and payment schedules. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, with details of the justification for not competing likely residing within internal DOJ documentation.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Healthcare Contracts
Bureau of Prisons Medical Services
Inmate Healthcare Services
Sole-Source Healthcare Procurements

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks transparency and competitive pricing.
Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition.
Dependence on a single provider for critical inmate healthcare.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $3.3 million to UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SCHOOL. UMASS COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL INPATIENT & OUTPATIENT SERVICES DOS: DECEMBER 1, 2025 - DECEMBER 31, 2025 ADD FUNDING TO HEADER ACCOUNTING.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SCHOOL.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-01. End: 2026-04-03.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data does not include the specific justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are awarded when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the government's needs. For specialized medical services within a correctional setting, this could be due to unique capabilities, existing infrastructure, or specific patient care requirements that only the University of Massachusetts Medical School can fulfill. A formal Justification and Approval (J&A) document would normally be required to support such an award, detailing the rationale and market research conducted.

How does the per-diem cost of care under this contract compare to other federal correctional facilities?

The provided data does not include per-diem cost breakdowns or allow for direct per-unit cost comparisons. The contract is a firm-fixed-price award for a block of services over a defined period, not explicitly structured on a per-diem basis. To make such a comparison, one would need to divide the total contract value by the estimated number of patient days or inmate population served, and then compare that to average per-diem costs at other Bureau of Prisons facilities. Without detailed service utilization data and comparable contract terms, an accurate benchmark is not feasible.

What is the track record of the University of Massachusetts Medical School in providing services to federal correctional facilities?

The provided data does not detail the track record of the University of Massachusetts Medical School specifically with federal correctional facilities. It only indicates that they have been awarded this contract. To assess their track record, one would need to review past performance evaluations, any previous contracts with the Bureau of Prisons or other federal agencies, and any reported issues or successes in delivering healthcare services in similar environments. This information is typically found in government contract databases and performance assessment reports.

What specific inpatient and outpatient services are included in this $3.35 million contract?

The data indicates 'UMASS COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL INPATIENT & OUTPATIENT SERVICES' but does not itemize the specific services included within the $3.35 million contract. Comprehensive medical services typically encompass a wide range of care, including physician consultations, diagnostic testing, emergency services, surgical procedures, hospitalization, and potentially specialized care depending on the inmate population's needs. The exact scope would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), which is not provided here.

What is the expected impact of this contract on inmate health outcomes?

This contract is intended to ensure that inmates within the Federal Prison System in Massachusetts receive necessary inpatient and outpatient medical care, which is crucial for improving and maintaining their health outcomes. By providing comprehensive services, the contract aims to address acute medical conditions, manage chronic diseases, and provide preventive care, thereby contributing to the overall well-being of the incarcerated population. The effectiveness in improving outcomes would depend on the quality of care delivered, the specific health needs of the inmate population, and the coordination with other aspects of inmate care and reentry planning.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › General Medical and Surgical Hospitals › General Medical and Surgical Hospitals

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › GENERAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: University of Massachusetts

Address: 55 LAKE AVE N, WORCESTER, MA, 01655

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,349,994

Exercised Options: $3,349,994

Current Obligation: $3,349,994

Actual Outlays: $2,854,541

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline