DOJ's Bureau of Prisons awards $1.4M contract for inmate medical services to UMass Medical School

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,402,738 ($1.4M)

Contractor: University of Massachusetts Medical School

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-12-01

End Date: 2026-04-06

Contract Duration: 126 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: OUTSIDE HOSPITAL MEDICAL SERVICES TO THE FMC/FPC INMATE POPULATION DEC FY26

Place of Performance

Location: WORCESTER, WORCESTER County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01655

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $1.4 million to UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SCHOOL for work described as: OUTSIDE HOSPITAL MEDICAL SERVICES TO THE FMC/FPC INMATE POPULATION DEC FY26 Key points: 1. Contract aims to provide essential medical services to inmates, ensuring continuity of care. 2. The award is a delivery order against a larger contract, suggesting a pre-established relationship or framework. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. The duration of the order is approximately 4 months, indicating a short-term or specific need. 5. The geographic focus is Massachusetts, aligning with the location of the facility served. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, indicating a focus on specialized capabilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $1.4 million for a 4-month period for medical services to a specific inmate population appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar contracts for correctional healthcare is challenging without more specific service details. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost predictability. The award to a well-established medical institution like UMass Medical School suggests a certain level of quality and experience, which can be a positive indicator of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives competitive pricing. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the full and open nature suggests a robust competitive environment was sought.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces, ensuring that the government is not overpaying for necessary services.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System in Massachusetts will receive necessary medical services. The contract ensures the continuity of healthcare for the inmate population during the specified period. The services are delivered by the University of Massachusetts Medical School, a reputable healthcare provider. This contract supports the operational mission of the Bureau of Prisons in providing care and custody.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for increased demand on UMass Medical School's resources, impacting their ability to serve other patient populations.
Dependence on a single provider for a critical service could pose risks if unforeseen issues arise with the contractor.

Positive Signals

Award to a known and reputable medical institution suggests a higher likelihood of quality service delivery.
The fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty and limits the government's exposure to cost overruns.
Full and open competition indicates that the government sought the best value from the market.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare sector, particularly services provided within correctional facilities, is a specialized area. This contract falls under the broader category of general medical and surgical hospitals (NAICS 622110). The market for correctional healthcare is often characterized by a mix of government-provided services and contracted private or academic medical institutions. The value of this specific delivery order is modest within the context of overall federal healthcare spending, but critical for the population served.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses. The award to a large academic medical institution suggests that the services required are specialized and likely beyond the scope or capacity of many small businesses in this sector. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this specific delivery order.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to the oversight of the Department of Justice and the Federal Prison System. As a delivery order under a potentially larger contract, it likely adheres to established procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases. Inspector General oversight would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Healthcare Services
Inmate Medical Care Contracts
Department of Justice Medical Procurement
Academic Medical Center Partnerships with Government

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption
Quality of care concerns
Cost overruns if scope is not well-defined

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $1.4 million to UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SCHOOL. OUTSIDE HOSPITAL MEDICAL SERVICES TO THE FMC/FPC INMATE POPULATION DEC FY26

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 $1.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-01. End: 2026-04-06.

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

The University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMassMed) has a history of providing medical services, including to correctional populations. As a major academic medical center, it possesses the infrastructure and expertise to handle complex medical needs. While specific details of their prior correctional contracts are not publicly itemized in this award notice, their designation as a provider for the Federal Prison System suggests they have met the necessary qualifications and performance standards. Further investigation into UMassMed's specific experience with correctional healthcare, including patient outcomes and satisfaction within similar settings, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and reliability in this context.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar medical service contracts for inmate populations?

Directly comparing the cost of this $1.4 million, 4-month delivery order to other inmate medical service contracts is challenging without detailed service scope and patient demographics. Correctional healthcare costs vary significantly based on the health needs of the inmate population, the level of care required (e.g., primary, specialty, emergency), and the geographic location. However, the contract's fixed-price nature provides a degree of cost control. Benchmarking would ideally involve comparing per-patient-per-day costs or costs for specific procedures against similar facilities. Given the award was through full and open competition, it suggests the price was deemed competitive at the time of award.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the Federal Prison System?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential disruptions in service delivery if UMass Medical School faces staffing shortages or unforeseen operational issues. There's also a risk of inadequate care if the scope of services is not precisely defined or if the quality of care does not meet established standards. Another consideration is the potential for cost increases if the fixed-price contract does not adequately account for fluctuating medical needs or unforeseen emergencies within the inmate population. Ensuring robust contract management and performance monitoring by the Bureau of Prisons is crucial to mitigate these risks.

How effective is the Bureau of Prisons in managing contracts for inmate healthcare services?

The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) manages a complex portfolio of healthcare contracts, and their effectiveness can vary. Historically, the BOP has faced scrutiny regarding the quality and timeliness of healthcare provided to inmates, sometimes leading to litigation. However, they have also established frameworks for contracting with external providers like UMass Medical School to supplement their internal capabilities. The effectiveness of managing this specific contract hinges on diligent oversight, clear performance metrics, and responsive contract administration. The use of full and open competition and fixed-price awards are intended to enhance effectiveness and accountability.

What is the historical spending pattern for inmate medical services by the Federal Prison System?

The Federal Prison System (FPS), under the Department of Justice, has consistently allocated significant funds towards inmate healthcare services. Spending in this area is driven by the health needs of a large and often aging or chronically ill inmate population, as well as the operational requirements of maintaining medical facilities. Historical data indicates a trend of increasing healthcare costs within correctional systems nationwide, including the FPS. While the exact year-over-year spending for inmate medical services fluctuates based on contract awards, population size, and healthcare utilization, it represents a substantial and ongoing budgetary commitment for the agency.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › OTHER MEDICAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 15B20519R00000001

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: University of Massachusetts

Address: 55 LAKE AVE NORTH, 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: $1,402,738

Exercised Options: $1,402,738

Current Obligation: $1,402,738

Actual Outlays: $429,129

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15B20521D00000001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline