DOJ's Bureau of Prisons awards $700K contract for inmate medical services to UMass Medical School

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $700,000 ($700.0K)

Contractor: University of Massachusetts Medical School

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-03-01

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 30 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.3K/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 MARCH FY26

Place of Performance

Location: WORCESTER, WORCESTER County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01655

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $700,000 to UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SCHOOL for work described as: OUTSIDE HOSPITAL MEDICAL SERVICES TO THE FMC/FPC INMATE POPULATION MARCH FY26 Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential medical services for inmates, indicating a critical need. 2. The award is a delivery order under a larger contract, suggesting a pre-established relationship or framework. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps control costs for a defined scope of services. 4. The short duration (30 days) points to a specific, immediate need rather than long-term care. 5. Geographic focus on Massachusetts inmates highlights a localized service requirement. 6. The contract value is relatively modest, suggesting it covers a specific, limited service period.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $700,000 for a 30-day period of medical services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of inmate healthcare. Benchmarking against similar contracts for correctional facility medical services would provide a more precise assessment, but the fixed-price nature suggests cost predictability. The award to a well-established medical institution like UMass Medical School implies a certain level of quality and expertise, which can be a good indicator of value for essential services.

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 competitive process is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competition was sought.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces, leading to better value for the government.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System in Massachusetts will receive necessary outside hospital medical services. The services provided are critical for maintaining the health and well-being of the inmate population. The geographic impact is concentrated within the state of Massachusetts. This contract supports the operational mission of the Bureau of Prisons by ensuring access to healthcare for individuals in their custody.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the 30-day need extends beyond initial expectations.
Dependence on a single provider for critical medical services during the contract period.
Ensuring continuity of care after the 30-day period concludes.

Positive Signals

Award to a reputable medical institution suggests a high likelihood of quality service delivery.
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for this specific service period.
Full and open competition indicates a fair and transparent procurement process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Healthcare sector, specifically focusing on medical services for a unique patient population within correctional facilities. The market for correctional healthcare is specialized, often involving partnerships between government agencies and healthcare providers. While the overall market size for correctional healthcare is substantial, individual contracts like this are typically for specific needs or locations, making direct spending benchmarks challenging without more context on the scope of services.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting is not explicitly provided for this contract. As it was awarded under full and open competition, there is no specific indication that small businesses were prioritized or excluded. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any small businesses participated in the bidding process or if subcontracting opportunities exist.

Oversight & Accountability

The Bureau of Prisons, under the Department of Justice, is responsible for the oversight of this contract. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract terms and performance standards. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases, though detailed performance metrics may not always be publicly available. The Inspector General for the Department of Justice would have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if any issues arise.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Medical Services
Bureau of Prisons Healthcare Contracts
Inmate Healthcare Services
Department of Justice Medical Support

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption if provider faces unforeseen issues.
Coordination challenges between facility and external medical provider.
Ensuring adequate security during inmate transport for medical care.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $700,000 to UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SCHOOL. OUTSIDE HOSPITAL MEDICAL SERVICES TO THE FMC/FPC INMATE POPULATION MARCH 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 $700,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-01. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the specific nature of the 'OUTSIDE HOSPITAL MEDICAL SERVICES' being provided?

The data provided indicates the contract is for 'OUTSIDE HOSPITAL MEDICAL SERVICES TO THE FMC/FPC INMATE POPULATION'. While the exact services are not detailed, the context suggests these are medical treatments or procedures that cannot be adequately provided within the facility's own medical capabilities. This could range from specialized diagnostics to surgical interventions or treatments for acute conditions requiring external hospital resources. The short 30-day duration implies these are likely for specific, time-bound needs rather than ongoing care.

How does the $700,000 value compare to similar contracts for inmate medical services?

Directly comparing the $700,000 value for a 30-day period requires access to a database of similar correctional healthcare contracts. However, the value appears to be a modest allocation for specialized external medical services. Contracts for comprehensive inmate healthcare can run into millions of dollars annually. This specific award likely represents a focused need, possibly for a particular procedure or a limited number of inmate transfers for care, making it difficult to benchmark without knowing the exact scope and volume of services.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on external medical services for inmates?

Key risks include potential delays in accessing care, challenges in coordinating patient transfers and security, ensuring continuity of care upon return to the facility, and managing costs if unforeseen complications arise. There's also a risk of information security breaches related to sensitive inmate health records. The fixed-price nature of this contract mitigates some cost risks, but operational and logistical challenges remain significant.

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

University of Massachusetts Medical School is a large, well-established academic medical center. While specific experience with correctional facilities isn't detailed in the provided data, its reputation suggests a capacity for complex medical care. It is likely that they have experience handling diverse patient populations and coordinating care, which would be transferable to this contract. Further investigation into their specific contracts with correctional or governmental entities would be needed for a definitive assessment.

What historical spending patterns exist for inmate medical services by the Bureau of Prisons?

Historical spending data for the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) on inmate medical services would reveal significant annual expenditures, often in the hundreds of millions or billions of dollars, reflecting the comprehensive healthcare needs of a large incarcerated population. This typically includes both in-house medical staff and facilities, as well as contracts for specialized external services, pharmaceuticals, and equipment. The BOP's spending fluctuates based on inmate population health trends, facility infrastructure, and evolving healthcare regulations and standards.

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: $700,000

Exercised Options: $700,000

Current Obligation: $700,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15B20521D00000001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline