DOJ Awards $258K for Kidney Transplants to UMass Medical School for Federal Prison System

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $258,303 ($258.3K)

Contractor: University of Massachusetts Medical School

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-12-01

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 181 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: KIDNEY TRANSPLANT B FY26 KIDNEY TRANSPLANT INCLUDES ORGAN, PHYSICIAN SERVICES AND AN INPATIENT STAY OF AN ESTIMATED 21 DAYS. RATES COMMENSURATE WITH CONTRACT 15B20521D00000001.

Place of Performance

Location: WORCESTER, WORCESTER County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01655

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $258,302.53 to UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SCHOOL for work described as: KIDNEY TRANSPLANT B FY26 KIDNEY TRANSPLANT INCLUDES ORGAN, PHYSICIAN SERVICES AND AN INPATIENT STAY OF AN ESTIMATED 21 DAYS. RATES COMMENSURATE WITH CONTRACT 15B20521D00000001. Key points: 1. The contract covers organ procurement, physician services, and a 21-day inpatient stay. 2. Rates are benchmarked against a previous contract (15B20521D00000001). 3. This is a delivery order under a larger contract, indicating a specific need. 4. The healthcare sector, specifically hospital services, is a significant area of federal spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

Pricing appears commensurate with a prior contract for similar services, suggesting a reasonable baseline. Further analysis would require comparing the specific services and duration to market rates for kidney transplants.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically drives competitive pricing. The use of a delivery order suggests a pre-negotiated framework, but the initial competition should have ensured price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of competitive bidding aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential medical services.

Public Impact

Provides critical medical care for individuals within the Federal Prison System. Ensures access to specialized procedures like kidney transplants for a vulnerable population. Supports the operational capacity of the Bureau of Prisons by outsourcing complex medical needs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific cost breakdown for organ, physician, and inpatient stay.
Dependence on a previous contract's rates without explicit justification for current market alignment.
Limited detail on the competitive process beyond 'full and open'.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Rates are benchmarked against a prior contract.
Addresses a critical healthcare need for a specific population.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Healthcare sector, specifically hospital and medical services. Federal spending in this area is substantial, covering a wide range of medical needs for beneficiaries, including federal inmates.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific set-aside for small businesses. The primary awardee is a large medical institution, suggesting that small businesses were likely not primary contractors for this complex service.

Oversight & Accountability

As a delivery order under a larger contract, oversight likely exists within the contracting agency (DOJ/BOP) and potentially through program management offices. The use of established rates from a prior contract may streamline some oversight.

Related Government Programs

General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
Department of Justice Contracting
Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for outdated pricing based on previous contract.
Lack of detailed cost breakdown for components.
Limited transparency on the specific competitive evaluation process.
Dependence on a single provider type (medical school) for a critical service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $258,302.53 to UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SCHOOL. KIDNEY TRANSPLANT B FY26 KIDNEY TRANSPLANT INCLUDES ORGAN, PHYSICIAN SERVICES AND AN INPATIENT STAY OF AN ESTIMATED 21 DAYS. RATES COMMENSURATE WITH CONTRACT 15B20521D00000001.

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 $258,302.53.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-01. End: 2026-05-31.

How do the current rates compare to the market average for kidney transplants, considering the specific components included?

Without a detailed cost breakdown and access to current market data for organ acquisition, physician fees, and inpatient care specific to kidney transplants, a precise comparison is difficult. Benchmarking against the prior contract provides a reference point, but market fluctuations and advancements in medical procedures could alter the current fair market value. Further analysis would require granular cost data and contemporary market intelligence.

What specific risks are associated with relying on rates from a previous contract for this complex procedure?

Relying on previous contract rates carries risks of outdated pricing, potentially leading to overpayment if market costs have decreased or underpayment if costs have risen significantly. It may also not reflect the latest technological advancements or specific patient needs, impacting the quality of care. Furthermore, it could reduce the incentive for the contractor to innovate or seek cost efficiencies if the pricing is not actively re-evaluated against current market conditions.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' method in ensuring optimal value for specialized medical services like kidney transplants?

Full and open competition is generally effective in driving value by fostering a competitive environment. However, for highly specialized services like kidney transplants, the pool of qualified providers may be limited. The effectiveness hinges on the clarity of the solicitation, the ability of multiple qualified entities to bid, and the robustness of the evaluation criteria. If only a few entities can realistically compete, the competitive pressure might be less intense than in broader markets.

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: $258,303

Exercised Options: $258,303

Current Obligation: $258,303

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15B20521D00000001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline