DOJ's Bureau of Prisons awards $216M contract for comprehensive medical services at FMC Devens, MA

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $216,262 ($216.3K)

Contractor: University of Massachusetts Medical School

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-11-01

End Date: 2026-04-02

Contract Duration: 152 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THE FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER (FMC) DEVENS, MA. ALL OUTPATIENT INSTITUTION SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH CONTRACT 15B20521D00000001. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: NOV 2026.

Place of Performance

Location: WORCESTER, WORCESTER County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01655

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $216,261.71 to UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SCHOOL for work described as: COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THE FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER (FMC) DEVENS, MA. ALL OUTPATIENT INSTITUTION SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH CONTRACT 15B20521D00000001. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: NOV 2026. Key points: 1. The contract value of $216.3 million over its period of performance represents a significant investment in inmate healthcare. 2. The award to the University of Massachusetts Medical School suggests a focus on established healthcare providers for correctional facilities. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type aims to control costs by setting a predetermined price for services. 4. The 152-day duration for this delivery order indicates a short-term need or a bridge to a larger contract. 5. The absence of small business set-aside flags suggests the primary competition was not specifically targeted towards smaller enterprises.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $216.3 million for comprehensive medical services at FMC Devens appears to be within a reasonable range for a federal correctional facility of its size. Benchmarking against similar contracts for medical services in federal prisons would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps in cost predictability, but the overall value is contingent on the scope and quality of services delivered over the contract period.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The number of bidders is not specified, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The open competition suggests the Bureau of Prisons sought the best value available in the market.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of providers to compete, which can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received by the inmate population.

Public Impact

Inmates at the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Devens, MA, will benefit from comprehensive outpatient medical services. The contract ensures the continuity of essential healthcare services within the federal correctional system. The services provided are critical for maintaining the health and well-being of the incarcerated population. This contract supports the operational requirements of the Federal Prison System, specifically the Bureau of Prisons.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for service gaps if the awarded contractor faces unforeseen operational challenges.
Ensuring consistent quality of care across all contracted medical services.
Managing the transition of services if this is a bridge contract.

Positive Signals

Award to a known medical institution (UMass Medical School) suggests a level of established capability.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition indicates a robust market search for the best provider.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare services sector for correctional facilities is a specialized segment within the broader healthcare industry. Federal contracts for these services are crucial for maintaining public health and safety within the justice system. Spending in this area is driven by the need to provide medical care to inmates, which is a constitutional requirement. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing contracts for similar medical services provided to federal, state, and local correctional institutions.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a specific small business set-aside. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through this specific award is likely minimal unless the prime contractor engages in significant subcontracting with small businesses. The Bureau of Prisons' overall small business utilization goals and subcontracting plans would provide further insight into the broader impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Bureau of Prisons contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded within the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, though specific performance metrics and quality assurance reports may not be publicly disclosed. The Inspector General's office may conduct audits or investigations as deemed necessary.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Medical Services
Bureau of Prisons Healthcare Contracts
Inmate Health Services
Correctional Facility Medical Support

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption
Quality of care assurance
Contractor performance monitoring
Scope creep management

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $216,261.71 to UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SCHOOL. COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THE FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER (FMC) DEVENS, MA. ALL OUTPATIENT INSTITUTION SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH CONTRACT 15B20521D00000001. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: NOV 2026.

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 $216,261.71.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-11-01. End: 2026-04-02.

What is the historical spending pattern for comprehensive medical services at FMC Devens?

Historical spending data for comprehensive medical services at FMC Devens prior to this award would provide crucial context for evaluating the current contract's value. Analyzing previous contract awards, their values, durations, and the contractors involved can reveal trends in pricing, service scope, and competition. For instance, if previous contracts were significantly lower in value or had different service inclusions, it might indicate an increase in costs or an expansion of services. Conversely, consistent spending patterns could suggest market stability. Without specific historical data for FMC Devens, it is difficult to ascertain if the $216.3 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these essential services.

How does the awarded contractor's track record in providing correctional healthcare services compare to market standards?

The University of Massachusetts Medical School's track record in providing correctional healthcare services is a key factor in assessing the reliability and quality of this contract. While UMass Medical School is a reputable institution, its specific experience within the unique environment of federal correctional facilities needs to be evaluated. This includes examining past performance on similar government contracts, any history of performance issues or accolades, and their demonstrated ability to meet the stringent requirements of correctional healthcare, such as security protocols and specialized medical needs. Benchmarking their performance against other providers who have successfully managed similar contracts can highlight potential strengths or areas of concern regarding their capacity to deliver effective and compliant services.

What are the primary risk indicators associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Primary risk indicators for this contract could include potential disruptions in service delivery, quality of care issues, cost overruns (despite the fixed-price nature, scope creep is a risk), and contractor performance failures. Given the critical nature of medical services for inmates, any lapse could have significant health and safety implications. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust performance monitoring by the Bureau of Prisons, clear contractual requirements and service level agreements, contingency planning by the contractor, and regular communication channels. The firm-fixed-price structure itself is a risk mitigation tool for cost certainty, but effective oversight is crucial to ensure the contractor meets all obligations.

How does the scope of services in this contract compare to typical comprehensive medical service contracts for federal correctional institutions?

The scope of services for 'comprehensive medical services' at FMC Devens needs detailed examination to compare it against typical contracts for federal correctional institutions. Comprehensive services generally encompass a wide range of medical, dental, and mental health care, including primary care, emergency services, specialty consultations, diagnostic testing, and pharmacy services. Variations in scope can arise from the specific health needs of the inmate population, the facility's size and security level, and the availability of external medical resources. A comparison would involve reviewing the Performance Work Statement (PWS) of this contract against PWS documents from similar facilities to identify any significant differences in the breadth or depth of services required, which directly impacts the contract's overall value and complexity.

What is the projected cost per inmate for medical services under this contract, and how does it benchmark?

To project the cost per inmate, we would need the total number of inmates served by FMC Devens and the total contract value. Assuming the $216.3 million contract covers the entire inmate population for its duration, and knowing the facility's capacity, a per-inmate cost can be estimated. This figure would then be benchmarked against the average cost per inmate for medical services in other Bureau of Prisons facilities or similar state/federal correctional systems. Benchmarking is essential to determine if the cost is competitive, indicating efficient resource allocation, or if it suggests potential overspending or underspending relative to industry norms and the level of care provided.

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: $216,262

Exercised Options: $216,262

Current Obligation: $216,262

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15B20521D00000001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline