DOJ's Federal Prison System to Spend $850K on Inmate Medical Services from UMass Medical School in FY26

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $850,000 ($850.0K)

Contractor: University of Massachusetts Medical School

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-02-01

End Date: 2026-04-07

Contract Duration: 65 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.1K/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 FEB FY26

Place of Performance

Location: WORCESTER, WORCESTER County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01655

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $850,000 to UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SCHOOL for work described as: OUTSIDE HOSPITAL MEDICAL SERVICES TO THE FMC/FPC INMATE POPULATION FEB FY26 Key points: 1. The contract is for essential medical services for inmates, a critical function for correctional facilities. 2. UMass Medical School is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition and potential price discovery. 3. The short duration (65 days) suggests a specific, potentially urgent need or a bridge to a larger contract. 4. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but the lack of competition could inflate the price.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The $850,000 award for a 65-day period appears high on a daily basis. Benchmarking against similar short-term, specialized medical service contracts for correctional populations is needed to assess value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

Although listed as full and open competition, only one offeror, UMass Medical School, was selected. This suggests potential limitations in the competition process or a highly specialized service where few entities can compete.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is the $850,000 expenditure. Without competitive pricing, there's a risk of overpayment, meaning taxpayer funds may not be used most efficiently.

Public Impact

Ensures continuity of care for inmates, preventing potential health crises within federal prisons. Supports a key government function (corrections) by outsourcing specialized medical services. Potential for improved health outcomes for the inmate population, which can have broader societal benefits.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition despite 'full and open' designation
High daily cost potential
Short contract duration may indicate a stop-gap measure

Positive Signals

Addresses critical inmate healthcare needs
Fixed-price contract helps control costs
Awardee is a reputable medical institution

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under healthcare services, specifically within the correctional system. Spending benchmarks for inmate medical services vary widely based on location, inmate population health, and service scope. The $850,000 for a 65-day period warrants scrutiny against comparable contracts.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract award. The nature of specialized medical services often favors larger, established institutions.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Justice, through the Federal Prison System, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Accountability relies on performance monitoring and ensuring the services meet the required standards and are delivered at a fair price.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for lack of true competition
Risk of inflated pricing due to limited offers
High daily cost requires justification
Lack of small business participation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $850,000 to UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SCHOOL. OUTSIDE HOSPITAL MEDICAL SERVICES TO THE FMC/FPC INMATE POPULATION FEB 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 $850,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-02-01. End: 2026-04-07.

What is the justification for only one offeror being selected under a 'full and open' competition for these medical services?

The justification for a single awardee under full and open competition needs further investigation. It could stem from highly specialized requirements, limited availability of qualified providers, or potentially a flawed solicitation process. Understanding the specific criteria and outreach efforts is crucial to determine if the competition was truly robust or if the market was inadvertently restricted.

How does the per-diem cost of these services compare to national averages for correctional healthcare, and what factors justify any deviation?

A detailed cost-benefit analysis is required to benchmark the per-diem cost against national averages for inmate medical services. Factors such as the specific medical needs of the FMC/FPC population, the complexity of services provided, geographic location, and the reputation/specialization of UMass Medical School should be considered. Any significant deviation from benchmarks must be clearly justified to ensure fiscal responsibility.

What is the long-term strategy for providing these medical services, and is this contract a temporary solution or part of a larger, ongoing plan?

The short duration of this contract (65 days) raises questions about the long-term strategy for inmate medical services. It could be a bridge to a more comprehensive, longer-term contract, or it might indicate a recurring need for short-term specialized support. Clarifying the agency's strategic plan for healthcare provision within the Federal Prison System is essential for understanding the full implications of this award.

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: $850,000

Exercised Options: $850,000

Current Obligation: $850,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15B20521D00000001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline