DOJ's Bureau of Prisons awards $350K contract for inmate medical services to UMass Medical School

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $350,000 ($350.0K)

Contractor: University of Massachusetts Medical School

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-04-01

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 APR FY26

Place of Performance

Location: WORCESTER, WORCESTER County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01655

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $350,000 to UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SCHOOL for work described as: OUTSIDE HOSPITAL MEDICAL SERVICES TO THE FMC/FPC INMATE POPULATION APR FY26 Key points: 1. Contract aims to ensure continuity of care for inmates. 2. Focus on outpatient medical services suggests a need for specialized external support. 3. Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government. 4. Single delivery order indicates a specific, defined need rather than an ongoing service requirement. 5. The award is for a one-year period, aligning with the fiscal year. 6. Geographic location in Massachusetts may influence local healthcare resource utilization.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $350,000 for one year of outpatient medical services for inmates appears reasonable, especially considering the specialized nature of healthcare provision within correctional facilities. Benchmarking against similar contracts for inmate healthcare is challenging due to variations in service scope, inmate population health needs, and geographic cost differences. However, the fixed-price nature of the award suggests a defined scope of work, which can facilitate cost control. The selection of a well-established medical institution like UMass Medical School implies a certain level of quality and reliability, potentially offering good value.

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. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to more favorable pricing and service terms for the government. The agency's decision to use full and open competition suggests confidence in the market's ability to meet the requirement effectively.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for cost savings through competitive bidding and encourages a wider range of providers to offer their services, potentially leading to better quality and innovation.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System in Massachusetts will benefit from access to external medical services. The contract ensures the provision of outpatient medical services, covering general medical and surgical needs. Services will be delivered within the Federal Bureau of Prisons facilities in Massachusetts. This contract supports the healthcare workforce by engaging external medical professionals and facilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for increased demand on UMass Medical School resources.
Ensuring seamless coordination between correctional facility medical staff and external providers.
Managing patient privacy and security within a correctional setting.

Positive Signals

Award to a reputable academic medical institution suggests a commitment to quality care.
Fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.
Full and open competition indicates a robust market engagement.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare services sector, particularly within the government and correctional facility context, is a significant market. This contract falls under the broader category of healthcare provision, specifically focusing on outpatient services. Benchmarking this specific contract is difficult without more data on the scope of services and patient volume, but the overall federal spending on healthcare services for inmates is substantial, reflecting the government's responsibility to provide medical care. The market for correctional healthcare is specialized, often involving partnerships between government agencies and healthcare providers.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business participation or set-asides is not available for this specific contract. As it was awarded under full and open competition, it is possible that small businesses could have bid, but there is no explicit indication of a set-aside. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not detailed in the provided data. The impact on the small business ecosystem is therefore unclear without further information on the bidding process and any subcontracting plans.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) within the Department of Justice. The BOP has established procedures for contract management and oversight to ensure service delivery meets contractual requirements and quality standards. Accountability measures would include performance reviews, adherence to the fixed-price terms, and compliance with healthcare regulations. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, although specific performance metrics may not be publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Healthcare Services
Bureau of Prisons Medical Contracts
Inmate Healthcare Provision
Outpatient Medical Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for coordination challenges between facility staff and external medical providers.
Ensuring consistent quality of care across different healthcare settings.
Managing patient privacy and security during external medical services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $350,000 to UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SCHOOL. OUTSIDE HOSPITAL MEDICAL SERVICES TO THE FMC/FPC INMATE POPULATION APR 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 $350,000.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the historical spending pattern for outpatient medical services for inmates in Massachusetts by the Bureau of Prisons?

Analyzing historical spending for outpatient medical services for inmates in Massachusetts by the Bureau of Prisons requires access to detailed historical contract data. Without specific databases or reports detailing expenditures by facility, region, and service type over multiple fiscal years, it is difficult to provide a precise spending pattern. Generally, federal agencies aim for cost-effective solutions, and spending can fluctuate based on inmate population health needs, the availability of local healthcare resources, and the success of competitive bidding processes. Trends might show an increase in spending if healthcare needs become more complex or if external provider costs rise. Conversely, successful cost-containment strategies or improved in-house capabilities could lead to stable or decreased spending. A thorough analysis would involve examining contract awards, modifications, and performance data over several years to identify any significant trends or anomalies.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar outpatient medical service contracts for correctional facilities in other states?

Directly comparing the cost of this $350,000 contract for outpatient medical services to similar contracts in other states is challenging without detailed information on the scope of services, patient volume, specific medical needs of the inmate population, and prevailing healthcare costs in each region. Correctional healthcare contracts vary significantly based on these factors. For instance, a contract in a high-cost-of-living area or one serving a population with extensive chronic health conditions might naturally be more expensive. The 'full and open competition' aspect suggests an effort to achieve competitive pricing. To make a meaningful comparison, one would need to normalize the contract values by factors such as cost per inmate per year, cost per procedure, or cost per specific service category, and then adjust for regional economic differences. Without such granular data, this $350,000 award can only be assessed as a specific allocation for a defined period and location.

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

The University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMassMed) is a well-established academic medical institution with a broad range of healthcare services. While specific details of their past contracts with government agencies, especially correctional facilities, are not provided in this data, UMassMed's reputation as a major healthcare provider suggests a capacity to manage complex healthcare delivery. Academic medical centers often engage in public health initiatives and may have experience serving diverse patient populations, including those in institutional settings. Their track record would typically involve adherence to quality standards, patient care protocols, and administrative requirements. A deeper dive into UMassMed's contract history with federal, state, or local government entities, particularly those related to correctional health or public health services, would be necessary to fully assess their specific experience and performance in this niche.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will be used to evaluate the success of this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract. However, for outpatient medical services within a correctional setting, typical KPIs would likely focus on several areas. These could include timeliness of appointments and service delivery, patient satisfaction (where feasible to measure), adherence to medical protocols and best practices, reduction in inmate health complaints related to access or quality of care, and effective management of referrals and follow-up. Additionally, KPIs might address administrative aspects such as accurate record-keeping, billing accuracy, and compliance with security and privacy regulations (like HIPAA). The Bureau of Prisons would establish these KPIs in the contract's statement of work to ensure the contractor meets the required standards of care and operational efficiency.

Are there any specific risks associated with contracting for inmate medical services, and how are they mitigated in this award?

Contracting for inmate medical services presents several risks, including ensuring continuity and quality of care, managing patient privacy and security, potential for cost overruns if not managed tightly, and ensuring provider compliance with correctional facility regulations. In this award, the risk of cost overruns is mitigated by the 'FIRM FIXED PRICE' contract type, which caps the government's financial liability. The selection of the University of Massachusetts Medical School, a reputable institution, likely reduces concerns about the quality of care. However, risks related to coordination between facility staff and external providers, and ensuring security protocols are met during external medical interactions, would require robust management and clear communication channels defined in the contract. The 'full and open competition' process may also mitigate risks by selecting a provider best equipped to handle these challenges.

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: $350,000

Exercised Options: $350,000

Current Obligation: $350,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15B20521D00000001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline