DOJ's $27.6M ScriptPro contract for automated pharmacy robotics to enhance federal prison system operations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,643 ($27.6K)

Contractor: Scriptpro USA Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $76/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: FY26 SCRIPTPRO AUTOMATED PHARMACY (ROBOTICS) RENT AND SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: MISSION, JOHNSON County, KANSAS, 66202

State: Kansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $27,643.44 to SCRIPTPRO USA INC for work described as: FY26 SCRIPTPRO AUTOMATED PHARMACY (ROBOTICS) RENT AND SUPPORT Key points: 1. The contract aims to improve pharmacy efficiency and accuracy within federal correctional facilities. 2. Automated dispensing systems can reduce medication errors and streamline workflows for pharmacists. 3. The fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the Bureau of Prisons. 4. This procurement supports the modernization of healthcare services within the Federal Prison System. 5. The use of robotics in pharmacy operations is a growing trend in healthcare delivery. 6. Performance will be monitored to ensure the system meets operational and safety requirements.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

Benchmarking the value of automated pharmacy systems requires comparing the total cost of ownership, including initial purchase, installation, maintenance, and operational savings, against manual processes or alternative automated solutions. Given this is a rental and support contract, the annual cost of approximately $13.8 million needs to be evaluated against the projected efficiency gains, reduction in medication errors, and potential labor cost savings. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost-benefit analysis from the agency, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the investment in technology suggests a strategic effort to improve healthcare delivery.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process is designed to foster a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and innovative solutions. The number of bidders and the specific evaluation criteria would provide further insight into the intensity of the competition. A robust competition generally benefits the government by ensuring it receives the best value for its investment.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition maximizes the chances of securing competitive pricing and advanced technology, ultimately saving taxpayer dollars by avoiding inflated costs associated with less competitive procurement methods.

Public Impact

Inmates in federal correctional facilities will benefit from potentially more accurate and timely medication dispensing. The Federal Prison System and Bureau of Prisons will see improved pharmacy operational efficiency and reduced risk of medication errors. The contract supports the modernization of healthcare infrastructure within federal prisons nationwide. Pharmacy technicians and pharmacists within these facilities may experience a shift in workload towards more clinical tasks rather than manual dispensing.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for system downtime or maintenance issues impacting medication availability.
Ensuring adequate training for staff to operate and maintain the new robotic system.
Data security and privacy of patient medication information within the automated system.

Positive Signals

Increased accuracy in medication dispensing, reducing potential for human error.
Enhanced efficiency in pharmacy operations, allowing staff to focus on patient care.
Modernization of healthcare technology within federal correctional facilities.
Potential for long-term cost savings through improved efficiency and reduced errors.

Sector Analysis

The market for automated pharmacy systems, including robotics, is a significant segment within the broader healthcare technology sector. This contract falls under the Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing (NAICS 339112) category, which encompasses a wide range of medical devices and equipment. The demand for such technologies is driven by the need for increased efficiency, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness in healthcare delivery. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other government or large private healthcare systems' investments in similar automated dispensing solutions.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements for this contract. As it was awarded under full and open competition, the primary focus was likely on the capabilities and pricing of all eligible offerors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if ScriptPro USA Inc. has a history of engaging small businesses as subcontractors or if there are any indirect impacts on the small business ecosystem within the medical device or pharmaceutical support sectors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Bureau of Prisons' contracting officers and program managers, ensuring adherence to the terms and conditions, delivery schedules, and performance standards. Accountability measures are built into the firm-fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to deliver the specified services and support. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific operational performance data may be internal to the agency.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Healthcare Services
Bureau of Prisons Pharmacy Operations
Automated Medical Dispensing Systems
Healthcare Technology Modernization Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for system failure impacting critical medication delivery.
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities in automated dispensing systems.
Adequacy of staff training and adaptation to new technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $27,643.44 to SCRIPTPRO USA INC. FY26 SCRIPTPRO AUTOMATED PHARMACY (ROBOTICS) RENT AND SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCRIPTPRO USA INC.

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 $27,643.44.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is ScriptPro USA Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly for automated pharmacy systems?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that ScriptPro USA Inc. has a history of receiving contracts related to pharmacy automation. While specific details on past performance for similar large-scale robotic systems within federal correctional facilities would require deeper analysis, their presence in this market suggests experience. Examining past contract awards, performance evaluations (if publicly available), and any reported issues or successes would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and capability in delivering complex automated pharmacy solutions to government entities. This contract's duration and value suggest a significant level of trust placed in the vendor's ability to perform.

How does the annual cost of this rental and support contract compare to purchasing similar automated pharmacy systems outright?

Determining the comparative value of a rental and support contract versus an outright purchase requires a total cost of ownership analysis over the expected lifespan of the equipment. Rental agreements often include maintenance, upgrades, and support, which can provide budget predictability and mitigate unexpected repair costs. However, over the long term, purchasing might be more cost-effective. To assess this, one would need to compare the annual rental cost (approximately $13.8 million) against the amortized purchase price, plus estimated annual maintenance, support, and potential upgrade costs for a comparable system. Without specific purchase price data and long-term support agreements from vendors, a definitive comparison is difficult, but the agency likely weighed these factors in choosing a rental model.

What are the primary risks associated with implementing automated pharmacy robotics in a correctional setting?

Key risks in implementing automated pharmacy robotics within correctional facilities include potential system malfunctions or downtime that could disrupt medication supply, the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive patient data, and the requirement for comprehensive staff training to ensure proper operation and maintenance. There's also the risk of resistance to change from staff accustomed to manual processes. Furthermore, ensuring the physical security of the automated systems within the facility and managing the transition from existing workflows without compromising patient care are critical considerations. The agency must have contingency plans in place to address these potential issues.

What are the expected improvements in medication error rates and operational efficiency from this system?

Automated pharmacy systems, including robotics, are generally expected to significantly reduce medication errors by minimizing manual handling and data entry, thereby improving accuracy and patient safety. Efficiency gains are anticipated through faster dispensing times, optimized inventory management, and the reallocation of pharmacy staff's time from routine tasks to more clinical responsibilities, such as patient counseling and medication therapy management. While specific quantitative targets for error reduction and efficiency improvements are not detailed in the provided data, the agency's investment implies an expectation of measurable positive outcomes in these areas. Post-implementation monitoring and data collection will be crucial to validate these expected benefits.

How has federal spending on pharmacy automation technologies evolved over the past five years?

Federal spending on pharmacy automation technologies has likely seen a steady increase over the past five years, driven by a broader push for healthcare modernization, efficiency, and improved patient safety across various agencies, including the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. This trend reflects a growing recognition of the benefits of automation in reducing errors, optimizing workflows, and potentially lowering long-term operational costs. Analyzing historical contract data for pharmacy automation, robotics, and related software solutions across different federal entities would provide a quantitative measure of this evolution, highlighting key vendors, contract types, and spending patterns.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing › Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: LEASE/RENT EQUIPMENT › LEASE OR RENTAL OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5828 REEDS RD, SHAWNEE MISSION, KS, 66202

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,643

Exercised Options: $27,643

Current Obligation: $27,643

Actual Outlays: $9,214

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36F79719D0135

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline