DOJ awards $31.6K for inmate radiology interpretation, highlighting a short-term, fixed-price service need

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,599 ($31.6K)

Contractor: BCT Partners LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 182 days

Daily Burn Rate: $174/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: INMATE TELERADIOLOGY INTERPRETATION SERVICES APRIL 1, 2026 - SEPTEMBER 2026 CONTRACT NUMBER 15BNAS21D00000087 NITAAC CONTRACT HHSN316201200074W

Place of Performance

Location: NEWARK, ESSEX County, NEW JERSEY, 07103

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $31,599.04 to BCT PARTNERS LLC for work described as: INMATE TELERADIOLOGY INTERPRETATION SERVICES APRIL 1, 2026 - SEPTEMBER 2026 CONTRACT NUMBER 15BNAS21D00000087 NITAAC CONTRACT HHSN316201200074W Key points: 1. The contract value is modest, suggesting a focused scope for specialized services. 2. Competition was full and open, indicating a competitive bidding process for this service. 3. The short duration (6 months) implies a temporary or pilot need for these services. 4. Fixed-price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 5. The service is essential for inmate healthcare within the Federal Prison System. 6. BCT PARTNERS LLC is the awarded contractor for this specific delivery order.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $31,599.04 for a 6-month period appears reasonable for specialized radiology interpretation services. Benchmarking against similar contracts is difficult without more specific service details and volume, but the fixed-price nature suggests cost control. The value is relatively small in the context of overall federal healthcare spending, indicating a niche requirement.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple vendors were likely solicited and evaluated. The specific details of the bidding process are not provided, but the designation suggests a robust competition was intended. This approach generally leads to better price discovery and value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best possible price for essential inmate healthcare services.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System will receive necessary radiology interpretation services. The services directly support the healthcare mission of the Bureau of Prisons. The geographic impact is likely limited to the facilities served by this specific contract, primarily within New Jersey. The contract supports specialized medical interpretation, potentially impacting a small but critical segment of the federal workforce (medical support staff).

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Short contract duration may lead to potential service continuity challenges if not managed proactively.
Reliance on a single contractor for a specific period requires careful performance monitoring.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services.
Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
Award to a specific contractor indicates they met the government's requirements.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader healthcare services sector, specifically focusing on medical imaging interpretation. The federal government, through agencies like the Bureau of Prisons, procures a wide range of healthcare services to support incarcerated populations. While the dollar amount is small, it represents a critical component of inmate care, ensuring diagnostic accuracy for medical conditions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses participated in the competition or if subcontracting opportunities exist.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Federal Prison System's contracting and medical administration departments. The NITAAC contract vehicle may also have its own oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed performance metrics are not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Federal Inmate Healthcare Services
Bureau of Prisons Medical Contracts
NITAAC Contract Vehicles
Radiology Services Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption due to short contract duration.
Incongruous NAICS code assignment requires clarification on service focus.
Limited public data on contractor's specific experience in correctional healthcare.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $31,599.04 to BCT PARTNERS LLC. INMATE TELERADIOLOGY INTERPRETATION SERVICES APRIL 1, 2026 - SEPTEMBER 2026 CONTRACT NUMBER 15BNAS21D00000087 NITAAC CONTRACT HHSN316201200074W

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BCT PARTNERS LLC.

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 $31,599.04.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the typical cost range for inmate radiology interpretation services for a 6-month period within the Federal Prison System?

Determining a precise cost range for inmate radiology interpretation services over a 6-month period is challenging without granular data on the volume of interpretations, types of imaging studies, and specific facility needs. However, the awarded amount of $31,599.04 for this contract suggests a relatively contained scope. Federal healthcare contracts can vary significantly based on the number of inmates served, the complexity of cases, and the geographic location of facilities. For context, larger federal healthcare procurements can run into millions of dollars annually. This specific contract's value implies it may cover a single facility or a limited number of specialized interpretations, making direct comparison difficult without more detailed service level agreements.

What is BCT PARTNERS LLC's track record with federal healthcare contracts, particularly within correctional facilities?

BCT PARTNERS LLC has a history of securing federal contracts, including those related to healthcare and professional services. A review of federal procurement data indicates past awards to BCT PARTNERS LLC from various agencies. To assess their specific track record with inmate radiology interpretation services or within correctional facilities, a deeper dive into their past performance evaluations and contract history would be necessary. This would involve examining contract databases for similar service types and clients, as well as any available performance metrics or past performance questionnaires. Without this specific data, it's difficult to definitively characterize their expertise in this niche area.

How does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' contract type differ from standard 'Full and Open Competition'?

The contract type 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' (often referred to as FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B) or similar clauses) is a specific method used within indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicles like NITAAC. It allows the agency to exclude specific sources from a solicitation if it's determined that the exclusion is necessary and justified, often due to specific capabilities or past performance. However, it still requires that the solicitation be competed among all responsible sources that were not excluded. This differs from standard 'Full and Open Competition' (FAR 6.102) which generally means soliciting offers from all responsible prospective contractors without any restrictions. In essence, while still competitive, it allows for a more targeted approach by pre-qualifying or excluding certain vendors based on defined criteria, potentially streamlining the process but requiring strong justification for exclusions.

What are the potential risks associated with a short-term (6-month) contract for critical medical services like radiology interpretation?

Short-term contracts for critical medical services like radiology interpretation carry several potential risks. Firstly, there's a risk of service disruption if a follow-on contract isn't awarded promptly, potentially leaving a gap in essential care. Secondly, the limited duration might disincentivize contractors from making significant investments in infrastructure or personnel dedicated to the specific contract, potentially impacting service quality or responsiveness. Thirdly, the government may incur higher per-unit costs or administrative overhead due to the frequent need for re-solicitation and contract transition. Finally, it can be challenging to build deep institutional knowledge and consistent relationships with the patient population (inmates) and facility staff over such a short period, which can be crucial for effective healthcare delivery.

What is the significance of the NAICS code 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services) for a radiology interpretation contract?

The assignment of NAICS code 541512, 'Computer Systems Design Services,' to a contract for 'INMATE TELERADIOLOGY INTERPRETATION SERVICES' appears incongruous at first glance. Radiology interpretation is fundamentally a healthcare service, typically falling under medical or health services NAICS codes (e.g., 621111 for Offices of Physicians, or specific diagnostic imaging codes). However, teleradiology relies heavily on IT infrastructure, software platforms for image transmission and reporting, and potentially system integration. It's possible the contract was categorized under 541512 because the primary focus of the procurement, from the contracting agency's perspective or the specific NITAAC vehicle's structure, was on the IT-enabled delivery system and the associated IT services required to facilitate the remote interpretation, rather than solely the clinical interpretation itself. This could indicate a focus on the technological platform supporting the service.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 105 LOCK ST STE 203, NEWARK, NJ, 07103

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $31,599

Exercised Options: $31,599

Current Obligation: $31,599

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSN316201200074W

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline