DOJ awards $200K contract for medical services to University of Massachusetts Medical School

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $200,000 ($200.0K)

Contractor: University of Massachusetts Medical School

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-02-01

End Date: 2026-04-02

Contract Duration: 60 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: FEB SVC

Place of Performance

Location: WORCESTER, WORCESTER County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01655

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $200,000 to UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SCHOOL for work described as: FEB SVC Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for general medical and surgical hospital services. 3. The duration of the contract is 60 days, indicating a short-term need. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which helps control costs. 5. The awardee has experience in the healthcare sector. 6. The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger agreement or schedule.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $200,000 for a 60-day period for medical services appears reasonable for a federal prison system need. Benchmarking against similar contracts for medical services within federal correctional facilities would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The firm fixed-price structure offers cost certainty for the government. However, without more detailed service descriptions or comparison data, a definitive assessment of cost-effectiveness is challenging.

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 a bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but the use of full and open competition generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing for the government. This approach is preferred for ensuring the government receives the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the potential for lower prices and better quality services due to a competitive bidding environment.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System will benefit from the provision of general medical and surgical hospital services. The services delivered are essential healthcare, crucial for the well-being of the incarcerated population. The geographic impact is likely limited to the facility or facilities served by the University of Massachusetts Medical School within Massachusetts. There are no immediate workforce implications for the general public, as the services are provided by an established medical institution.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Short contract duration may indicate a temporary gap in service or a pilot program, requiring potential future re-competition.
Limited scope of services (general medical/surgical) may not cover all potential healthcare needs of the inmate population.

Positive Signals

Award to a known medical institution suggests a level of established quality and operational capacity.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition indicates a robust procurement process.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare sector, particularly within government and correctional facilities, is a significant area of federal spending. This contract falls under the General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (NAICS 622110) category. Federal agencies often contract with external healthcare providers to meet the medical needs of populations they are responsible for, such as inmates. Spending in this area can fluctuate based on inmate population health trends and facility requirements. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing per diem rates or service package costs for similar correctional healthcare contracts.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss=false, sb=false). The awardee, University of Massachusetts Medical School, is a large institution. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this specific award. The focus is on a direct service delivery by the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons within the Department of Justice. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice. The Inspector General of the Department of Justice would have jurisdiction for any investigations into fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Bureau of Prisons Healthcare Services
Department of Justice Medical Contracts
General Medical and Surgical Hospital Services

Risk Flags

Short contract duration may indicate a temporary need or potential for future instability.
Scope of 'General Medical and Surgical Hospitals' needs further definition to ensure all inmate healthcare needs are met.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $200,000 to UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SCHOOL. FEB SVC

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 $200,000.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the track record of the University of Massachusetts Medical School in providing services to federal agencies, specifically the Department of Justice or Federal Bureau of Prisons?

The University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) is a well-established academic health sciences center. While specific details on its past contracts with the Department of Justice or the Federal Bureau of Prisons are not provided in this data snippet, UMMS has a broad range of healthcare services and research capabilities. Federal agencies often contract with large medical institutions for specialized care or to supplement existing services. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would be necessary to ascertain the extent and nature of UMMS's prior federal contracting history, including performance ratings and any past issues.

How does the awarded amount of $200,000 for a 60-day contract compare to similar medical service contracts for federal correctional facilities?

The $200,000 award for a 60-day contract equates to approximately $3,333 per day. This daily rate needs to be contextualized by the specific services to be rendered and the patient population's acuity. Federal correctional healthcare contracts can vary significantly based on the level of care (e.g., primary care, specialty care, emergency services, mental health), the number of inmates served, and the geographic location. Without knowing the exact scope of 'General Medical and Surgical Hospitals' services for this specific contract, it's difficult to provide a precise benchmark. However, this daily rate is within a plausible range for contracted medical services, especially if it includes on-site physician presence or specific procedural capabilities.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, given its short duration and specific service type?

Key risks include potential service disruption if the contractor fails to perform adequately, leading to gaps in inmate healthcare. Given the short 60-day duration, there's a risk of inadequate transition if this is a stop-gap measure, potentially leading to a need for emergency, higher-cost procurements. Another risk is ensuring the quality and appropriateness of care provided meet federal standards for correctional facilities. If the contract is for a specific type of surgery or medical procedure, the risk of complications or the need for follow-on care not covered by this short-term award could also arise. Ensuring continuity of care post-contract expiration is also a consideration.

What does the 'General Medical and Surgical Hospitals' classification imply about the services expected under this contract?

The NAICS code 622110, 'General Medical and Surgical Hospitals,' indicates that the contractor is expected to provide a broad range of medical and surgical services typically offered by a general hospital. This could encompass diagnostic services, inpatient and outpatient care, surgical procedures (both minor and major), emergency room services, and potentially specialized care depending on the facility's capabilities. For a federal prison system, this likely means providing essential medical care to inmates, addressing acute conditions, chronic disease management, and necessary surgical interventions to maintain the health and well-being of the population.

What is the significance of the contract being a 'Delivery Order'?

A 'Delivery Order' typically indicates that this contract is a task order issued under a previously established indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, or a basic ordering agreement (BOA). This means that the University of Massachusetts Medical School likely holds a larger, overarching contract with the government that allows for the issuance of multiple, specific orders for goods or services over a period. The delivery order specifies the exact quantity, price, and delivery/performance dates for this particular requirement. It suggests a pre-negotiated framework and pricing, simplifying the process for this specific need.

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: $200,000

Exercised Options: $200,000

Current Obligation: $200,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15B20521D00000001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline