DOJ awards $18K for dental assistant services in MN, highlighting need for temporary support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,007 ($18.0K)

Contractor: Nitelines USA Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 90 days

Daily Burn Rate: $200/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: DENTAL ASSISTANT SERVICES - APRIL - JUNE FY26

Place of Performance

Location: SANDSTONE, PINE County, MINNESOTA, 55072

State: Minnesota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $18,007.11 to NITELINES USA INC for work described as: DENTAL ASSISTANT SERVICES - APRIL - JUNE FY26 Key points: 1. Contract value is modest, suggesting a focused need for short-term staffing. 2. Competition dynamics for this specific service need further examination. 3. Performance risk appears low given the short duration and specialized nature. 4. This contract supports essential healthcare services within a federal correctional facility. 5. The service falls within the broader temporary staffing sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $18,007.11 for a 90-day period is relatively small. Benchmarking per-unit costs for dental assistant services is challenging without more granular data on hours or specific roles. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests a defined scope, which can aid in cost control. Compared to larger healthcare staffing contracts, this appears to be a targeted procurement for a specific operational need.

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 number of bidders is not specified, but this approach generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value. The open competition suggests a healthy market for these services.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure dental assistant services at a reasonable cost, preventing potential overpayment.

Public Impact

Inmates at the Federal Prison System facility in Minnesota will receive essential dental support. The services ensure continuity of care and support inmate well-being. The geographic impact is localized to the specific correctional facility in Minnesota. This contract supports temporary healthcare professionals, potentially easing staffing shortages.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for inconsistent service quality if temporary staff are not adequately vetted.
Reliance on temporary services may indicate underlying staffing challenges within the facility.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust vendor pool.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Short duration limits long-term financial commitment and potential for cost overruns.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader temporary help services sector, specifically supporting healthcare roles. The market for healthcare staffing, including specialized roles like dental assistants, is competitive. Federal agencies often utilize such contracts to address short-term or specialized staffing needs, particularly in remote or high-demand locations. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more specific service details, but the contract size suggests a localized, short-term requirement.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a small business set-aside. There is no information provided on subcontracting plans. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal for this specific award, though the general market for temporary staffing services includes many small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle (implied by 'delivery order'), oversight may be managed at the contract level. The firm-fixed-price nature simplifies financial oversight. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud or mismanagement were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Healthcare Services
Temporary Staffing Services
Medical and Dental Services

Risk Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics
Limited detail on bidder qualifications
Potential for higher per-unit cost compared to direct hire

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $18,007.11 to NITELINES USA INC. DENTAL ASSISTANT SERVICES - APRIL - JUNE FY26

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NITELINES 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 $18,007.11.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the typical hourly rate for a dental assistant in Minnesota, and how does this contract's implied rate compare?

Determining an exact implied hourly rate from this contract is difficult without knowing the number of hours the dental assistants are expected to work over the 90-day period. However, average dental assistant wages in Minnesota can range from $18 to $25 per hour, depending on experience, location, and specific duties. If we assume a standard 40-hour work week for the 90 days (approximately 13 weeks), the total hours would be 520. Dividing the contract value ($18,007.11) by 520 hours yields an approximate effective rate of $34.63 per hour. This rate appears higher than the average wage, which could be attributed to factors such as the need for specialized clearances for federal facilities, the inclusion of overhead and profit for the contracting company, or the specific qualifications required. Further analysis would require clarification on the expected hours and specific service requirements.

What specific qualifications or certifications are required for the dental assistants under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact qualifications or certifications required for the dental assistants. However, for federal correctional facilities, it is common to require certified dental assistants (CDA) or registered dental assistants (RDA), along with basic life support (BLS) certification. Additionally, personnel working within federal prisons must typically undergo a thorough background check and obtain security clearances. The contracting agency, the Department of Justice's Federal Prison System, would have outlined these requirements in the solicitation documents. The higher implied hourly rate could reflect the stringent vetting process and specialized certifications mandated for working within this secure environment.

How many other bids were received for this delivery order, and what was the range of proposed prices?

The provided data indicates that the contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION,' but it does not specify the number of bids received or the range of proposed prices. This information is typically available in the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or agency-specific contract award notices. Knowing the number of bidders and the price range would provide a clearer picture of the competitiveness of this specific procurement and whether the awarded price represents a strong value for the government. Without this data, it's difficult to definitively assess if the competition was robust enough to drive prices down significantly.

What is the historical spending pattern for dental assistant services at this specific Federal Prison System facility?

Historical spending data for dental assistant services at this specific Federal Prison System facility is not included in the provided data. To assess historical patterns, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like FPDS) for previous contracts awarded to this facility or the Bureau of Prisons for similar services (NAICS code 561320 - Temporary Help Services, or related healthcare service codes) over past fiscal years. Analyzing past spending would reveal trends in contract values, duration, competition levels, and potentially identify any increases or decreases in demand or cost for these essential services.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on temporary dental assistants versus permanent staff?

Relying on temporary dental assistants presents several potential risks. Firstly, there can be a risk of inconsistent service quality, as temporary staff may have varying levels of experience, familiarity with the facility's protocols, and commitment compared to permanent employees. Secondly, the onboarding and training process for temporary staff, even for short durations, can consume valuable administrative time and resources. Thirdly, there's a potential for higher turnover, requiring continuous recruitment and vetting efforts. Lastly, maintaining continuity of care can be challenging if temporary staff are frequently changing. However, the benefit is flexibility to meet fluctuating demand and address immediate staffing shortages without the long-term commitment and costs associated with permanent hires.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Employment Services › Temporary Help Services

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › OTHER MEDICAL SERVICES

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: 2180 SATELLITE BLVD STE 400, DULUTH, GA, 30097

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,007

Exercised Options: $18,007

Current Obligation: $18,007

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36F79721D0140

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline