DOJ awards $698K contract for medical air transport, highlighting specialized aviation needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $69,881 ($69.9K)

Contractor: Inflight Medical Services International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-04-08

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION FROM FCC FLORENCE TO BUTNER

Place of Performance

Location: ANDOVER, ESSEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01810

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $69,881 to INFLIGHT MEDICAL SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION FROM FCC FLORENCE TO BUTNER Key points: 1. Contract addresses critical need for patient transport between federal facilities. 2. Specialized nature of medical air transportation suggests limited competition. 3. Fixed-price contract offers cost certainty for the government. 4. Short performance period indicates a specific, time-bound requirement. 5. Award to a single vendor warrants scrutiny of pricing and alternatives. 6. Geographic scope appears limited to specific facility transfers.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $698,810 for medical air transportation appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the service. However, without specific benchmarks for similar inter-facility medical air transports, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost predictability. Further analysis would require comparing this rate to other government or commercial providers offering similar specialized medical evacuation services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting it was likely a limited competition or potentially a sole-source award if no other vendors could meet the specialized requirements. The data does not specify the number of bidders or the solicitation method. Limited competition could lead to higher prices compared to a full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP and potentially limited competition means taxpayers may not have received the lowest possible price due to reduced market pressure.

Public Impact

Inmates requiring specialized medical care at federal correctional facilities benefit from timely and safe transportation. The Federal Prison System (Bureau of Prisons) receives essential support services for patient management. The service ensures continuity of care for inmates transferred between facilities. Potential workforce implications for specialized medical flight crews and support staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed competition information raises concerns about price optimization.
Absence of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess service quality.
Potential for price creep if follow-on contracts are awarded without robust competition.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical and specialized healthcare support need for the Federal Prison System.
Firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Award to a vendor with a specific NAICS code (481211) suggests specialized capability.

Sector Analysis

The air transportation sector, particularly specialized medical evacuation, is a niche market. This contract falls under nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation. The market size for such specialized services is difficult to quantify but is driven by the unique needs of government agencies, emergency services, and healthcare providers requiring rapid, secure, and medically equipped transport. Benchmarking would involve comparing rates with other providers of air ambulance and specialized medical transport.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the specialized nature of medical air transportation, it is possible that larger, specialized aviation companies hold these contracts, potentially limiting small business participation unless they are subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's Bureau of Prisons contracting and program management offices. The firm fixed-price nature of the award provides a degree of financial oversight. Transparency regarding the competition process and performance metrics would be key areas for further review by oversight bodies or inspectors general.

Related Government Programs

Federal Inmate Transportation Services
Medical Services Contracts
Aviation Support Services
Bureau of Prisons Healthcare

Risk Flags

Limited competition potential
Lack of detailed performance metrics
Price benchmarking challenges

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $69,881 to INFLIGHT MEDICAL SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, INC.. MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION FROM FCC FLORENCE TO BUTNER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INFLIGHT MEDICAL SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, 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 $69,881.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-04-08.

What is the track record of INFLIGHT MEDICAL SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, INC. in providing similar medical air transportation services to the federal government?

Information regarding the specific track record of INFLIGHT MEDICAL SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, INC. in providing similar medical air transportation services to the federal government is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes with previous federal awards. Understanding their experience with the specific requirements of the Federal Prison System, such as security protocols and patient handling, would be crucial. Further due diligence would involve searching federal procurement databases and agency performance records for this contractor.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation with medical capabilities?

The provided data does not include specific per-unit costs or detailed service descriptions that would allow for a direct comparison to market rates for similar nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation with medical capabilities. The total award of $698,810 for a period ending April 8, 2026, needs to be broken down into specific flight legs, duration, and medical support provided to be benchmarked effectively. Without this granular data, it's challenging to determine if the price is competitive. Researching rates from other specialized air medical transport providers, both government and commercial, would be necessary for a robust comparison.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks associated with this contract include potential service disruptions due to the specialized nature of the aircraft and crew, price volatility if the fixed price does not adequately account for unforeseen operational costs, and ensuring patient safety and medical care quality during transport. Mitigation strategies likely involve stringent performance standards in the contract, clear communication protocols, and potentially backup provider arrangements. The firm fixed-price nature mitigates financial risk for the government regarding cost overruns, but could incentivize the contractor to cut corners if not properly monitored. The short duration may limit long-term risks but necessitates careful planning for the defined period.

What is the historical spending pattern for medical air transportation services by the Department of Justice or the Federal Prison System?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for medical air transportation services by the Department of Justice or the Federal Prison System. To assess this, one would need to analyze past contract awards for similar services over several fiscal years. This analysis would reveal trends in contract values, the number of awards, the types of services procured (e.g., scheduled vs. unscheduled, distance, medical complexity), and the primary contractors utilized. Understanding historical spending can help identify potential increases in demand, price trends, and opportunities for strategic sourcing or consolidation of services.

How effective is the current contract in ensuring timely and safe medical transportation for inmates?

The effectiveness of the current contract in ensuring timely and safe medical transportation for inmates cannot be determined solely from the award data. Effectiveness would be measured by key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time performance, patient outcomes during transport, incident reports (or lack thereof), and adherence to medical protocols. The contract's duration (ending April 8, 2026) suggests it is intended to meet ongoing needs. Without post-award performance data or specific metrics outlined in the contract, assessing its effectiveness remains speculative. Regular reviews and performance monitoring by the Bureau of Prisons are essential.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Nonscheduled Air Transportation › Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRANSPORTATION OF THINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3 CORMIERS WAY, ANDOVER, MA, 01810

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $69,881

Exercised Options: $69,881

Current Obligation: $69,881

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline