DOJ's Bureau of Prisons awards $100M contract for comprehensive medical services at FMC Devens, MA

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $100,000 ($100.0K)

Contractor: University of Massachusetts Medical School

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-05-01

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 30 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THE FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER (FMC) DEVENS, MA. ALL OUTPATIENT INSTITUTION SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH CONTRACT 15B20521D00000001. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: MAY 2026.

Place of Performance

Location: WORCESTER, WORCESTER County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01655

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $100,000 to UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SCHOOL for work described as: COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THE FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER (FMC) DEVENS, MA. ALL OUTPATIENT INSTITUTION SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH CONTRACT 15B20521D00000001. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: MAY 2026. Key points: 1. Contract aims to ensure continuity of care for inmates at FMC Devens. 2. The firm-fixed-price structure shifts performance risk to the contractor. 3. A 30-month period of performance suggests a need for stable, ongoing services. 4. The contract is a delivery order against a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle. 5. The award to a single entity implies a focus on specialized medical capabilities. 6. The contract value of $100M over 30 months indicates significant resource allocation to inmate healthcare.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $100M over 30 months equates to approximately $3.33M per month, or $33.3M annually. Benchmarking this against similar comprehensive medical service contracts for federal correctional facilities is challenging without more specific service details. However, the stated annual value appears within a reasonable range for providing extensive medical care to a correctional population, considering the complexity and scope of services required. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract suggests the government has negotiated a set price for a defined scope, which can be advantageous if the scope is well-defined and managed.

Cost Per Unit: $33.3M annually

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, encouraging multiple bidders to present their best pricing and technical solutions. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the use of full and open competition suggests a robust process was intended to identify the most capable and cost-effective provider for these critical medical services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it is designed to drive down costs through market forces and ensure the government receives the best value by selecting from a wide pool of qualified contractors.

Public Impact

Inmates at Federal Medical Center (FMC) Devens will receive comprehensive medical services, ensuring continuity of care. The contract supports the Bureau of Prisons' mission to provide healthcare within the federal correctional system. Services include all outpatient institutional medical services, covering a broad spectrum of healthcare needs. The contract's geographic impact is localized to FMC Devens in Massachusetts. The contract likely supports a significant healthcare workforce, including physicians, nurses, and support staff, at the facility.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if outpatient services are not precisely defined.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical medical services introduces vendor dependency.
Ensuring consistent quality of care across the 30-month period requires diligent oversight.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive process to secure favorable pricing.
Longer performance period allows for stable service delivery and reduced transition costs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Healthcare sector, specifically focusing on hospital and outpatient medical services. The market for providing comprehensive healthcare within correctional facilities is a specialized niche, often requiring contractors with experience in secure environments and specific regulatory compliance. The annual value of approximately $33.3M places this contract as a significant award within this sub-sector, likely competing with other large healthcare providers or specialized correctional healthcare companies. Benchmarking requires comparison to similar contracts for federal prisons or other government-run medical facilities.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false) and set-asides (sb: false) were not applicable to this specific award. This suggests the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses, and the prime contractor is likely a larger entity. There is no information on subcontracting plans, but given the nature of comprehensive medical services, it is possible that specialized medical services or supplies might be subcontracted to smaller, niche providers.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) contracting officer and contract specialists. The firm-fixed-price nature necessitates monitoring performance against the defined scope of services. The BOP has an Office of Inspector General (OIG) that conducts audits and investigations into its operations, which could include oversight of healthcare contracts to ensure compliance and prevent fraud. Transparency is typically managed through contract award databases and reporting requirements.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for inadequate service delivery if scope is not clearly defined.
Risk of cost overruns if performance-based metrics are not strictly enforced.
Security concerns for medical staff within a correctional facility.
Challenges in managing complex inmate health conditions.
Dependency on a single contractor for critical healthcare services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $100,000 to UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SCHOOL. COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THE FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER (FMC) DEVENS, MA. ALL OUTPATIENT INSTITUTION SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH CONTRACT 15B20521D00000001. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: MAY 2026.

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 $100,000.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the historical spending pattern for comprehensive medical services at FMC Devens?

Historical spending data for comprehensive medical services at FMC Devens prior to this award is not directly available in the provided snippet. However, the contract number '15B20521D00000001' suggests this is a delivery order under a larger IDIQ contract, potentially '15B20521'. The presence of a prior contract vehicle implies a history of such services being procured. To understand historical spending, one would need to examine previous delivery orders under this IDIQ or any preceding contracts for FMC Devens medical services. Analyzing these past awards would reveal the total amounts obligated, the duration of previous contracts, and the contractors who previously held these responsibilities, providing context for the current $100M award over 30 months.

How does the contractor's track record compare for similar federal medical service contracts?

The provided data identifies the contractor as the 'UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SCHOOL'. To assess their track record for similar federal medical service contracts, a deeper dive into federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) would be necessary. This would involve searching for other contracts awarded to this entity, particularly those involving correctional facilities or other government agencies requiring comprehensive medical services. Key metrics to examine would include contract performance ratings, any past performance issues or disputes, the size and scope of previous contracts, and their experience with firm-fixed-price agreements and specific healthcare regulations relevant to federal institutions. Without this external data, a direct comparison of track record is not possible based solely on the snippet.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how are they monitored?

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract are not detailed in the provided snippet. However, for comprehensive medical services within a correctional setting, typical KPIs would likely include patient wait times for appointments, adherence to medical protocols and standards of care, medication administration accuracy, infection control rates, patient satisfaction (where applicable and measurable), and timely completion of medical record documentation. Monitoring would be conducted by the Bureau of Prisons' contracting officer's representative (COR) and other designated government personnel. This would involve regular performance reviews, site visits, audits of medical records, and analysis of performance reports submitted by the contractor, ensuring compliance with the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and performance standards.

Are there any known risks associated with providing medical services in a federal correctional environment?

Yes, there are several inherent risks associated with providing medical services in a federal correctional environment. These include security risks for medical personnel, managing patient populations with complex health needs and potential for non-compliance, ensuring adequate access to specialized care, and maintaining the confidentiality of medical information within a secure facility. Additionally, there are risks related to the potential for infectious disease outbreaks, the need for rapid response to medical emergencies, and the logistical challenges of transporting inmates for off-site care. The contractor must also navigate stringent regulatory requirements and oversight from the Bureau of Prisons and potentially the Office of Inspector General.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the overall healthcare budget of the Bureau of Prisons?

The $100M award over 30 months represents a significant portion of the Bureau of Prisons' healthcare expenditure. While the total BOP healthcare budget is not provided, this single contract contributes approximately $33.3M annually. This figure needs to be considered in the context of the total number of federal inmates and the overall healthcare needs across all BOP facilities. A large contract like this suggests a strategic decision to consolidate or ensure robust medical services at FMC Devens, potentially leading to economies of scale or specialized care that might be more cost-effective than fragmented approaches. Its impact on the overall budget depends on how it aligns with the BOP's total healthcare allocation and priorities.

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: $100,000

Exercised Options: $100,000

Current Obligation: $100,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15B20521D00000001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline