DOJ awards $13.2M contract for federal inmate teleradiology and image storage in Oklahoma City

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,189 ($13.2K)

Contractor: BCT Partners LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 181 days

Daily Burn Rate: $73/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: TELERADIOLOGY AND MEDICAL IMAGE STORAGE SERVICES FOR INMATES HOUSED AT THE FEDERAL TRANSFER CENTER LOCATED IN OKLAHOMA CITY, OK. FY26

Place of Performance

Location: NEWARK, ESSEX County, NEW JERSEY, 07103

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $13,189.15 to BCT PARTNERS LLC for work described as: TELERADIOLOGY AND MEDICAL IMAGE STORAGE SERVICES FOR INMATES HOUSED AT THE FEDERAL TRANSFER CENTER LOCATED IN OKLAHOMA CITY, OK. FY26 Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential medical imaging services for federal inmates. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. Short performance period of 181 days indicates a specific, time-bound need. 5. Contractor BCT Partners LLC is based in New Jersey, with services for Oklahoma. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized for this procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $13.2 million for a 181-day period appears high for teleradiology and medical image storage services, averaging approximately $72,870 per day. Benchmarking against similar contracts for federal correctional facilities or large-scale teleradiology providers is necessary to determine true value for money. The fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, but the per-diem rate warrants scrutiny to ensure it aligns with market standards for the scope of services provided.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' which implies that while the competition was open, specific sources may have been excluded for defined reasons, or it could be a standard phrasing for open competition. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competitive environment was intended, which typically leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices and encouraging efficient service delivery from multiple potential providers.

Public Impact

Federal inmates housed at the Federal Transfer Center in Oklahoma City will receive teleradiology and medical image storage services. Ensures access to diagnostic imaging, crucial for inmate healthcare and treatment. Supports the operational needs of the Bureau of Prisons in managing inmate health. The service delivery is geographically focused on Oklahoma City. Potential for indirect workforce impact on medical imaging technicians and radiologists, though the primary service is remote.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

High per-diem cost warrants further investigation into service scope and market rates.
Geographic disconnect between contractor location (NJ) and service location (OK) may introduce logistical complexities or higher overhead.
Short contract duration could indicate a stop-gap measure or potential for future re-competition with different terms.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair and accessible process.
Fixed-price contract type offers budget predictability.
Addresses a critical healthcare need for a vulnerable population within federal custody.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare services sector, particularly within correctional facilities, requires specialized medical support. Teleradiology and digital image storage are critical components of modern diagnostic healthcare, enabling remote consultations and efficient record-keeping. This contract fits within the broader IT and healthcare services market, where demand for specialized medical IT solutions remains strong. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in contracts for similar imaging services across federal agencies or large hospital systems.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses indicated in the provided data. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity or that small business participation was not a specific objective of this particular procurement vehicle. Further analysis of the awarded contractor's subcontracting plan would be needed to assess potential small business impact.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's Bureau of Prisons (BOP). The BOP has established procurement and contract management policies, and performance would be monitored by designated contracting officers and technical representatives. Inspector General oversight from the DOJ's Office of the Inspector General is also a possibility for investigating any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Healthcare Services
Bureau of Prisons Medical Equipment and Supplies
Teleradiology Services Contracts
Medical Information Technology Services

Risk Flags

Potential for high per-unit cost
Contractor location differs from service delivery location
Short contract duration may indicate instability or future re-competition risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $13,189.15 to BCT PARTNERS LLC. TELERADIOLOGY AND MEDICAL IMAGE STORAGE SERVICES FOR INMATES HOUSED AT THE FEDERAL TRANSFER CENTER LOCATED IN OKLAHOMA CITY, OK. FY26

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 $13,189.15.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the track record of BCT Partners LLC in providing teleradiology or similar medical imaging services to federal agencies?

Information regarding BCT Partners LLC's specific track record in providing teleradiology or similar medical imaging services to federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would require accessing federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) to examine past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues. Without this external data, it's difficult to assess their experience and reliability in this specialized field. Their primary NAICS code (541512) suggests a focus on Computer Systems Design Services, which may or may not directly translate to extensive experience in direct medical imaging service provision.

How does the $13.2 million contract value compare to similar teleradiology contracts for federal correctional facilities?

The provided data does not include comparative contract values for similar teleradiology services within federal correctional facilities. To benchmark this $13.2 million award, one would need to research contracts with the Bureau of Prisons or other federal agencies serving similar populations. Key comparison points would include the duration of the contract, the number of inmates served, the scope of imaging modalities required (X-ray, CT, MRI), and the specific services included (interpretation, storage, PACS). The current contract's 181-day duration suggests a high daily cost, which may or may not be justified depending on the intensity and complexity of the services rendered.

What are the primary risks associated with this teleradiology contract for the Federal Prison System?

Primary risks include potential service disruptions if the contractor fails to meet performance standards, leading to delays in critical diagnoses for inmates. Data security and patient privacy (HIPAA compliance) are paramount risks, given the sensitive nature of medical images and inmate information. There's also a risk of cost overruns if the fixed-price contract doesn't adequately account for unforeseen service demands or if the initial pricing was not competitive. Ensuring consistent quality of interpretation across remote radiologists and managing the integration with existing federal healthcare IT systems also present significant operational risks.

How effective is teleradiology in improving healthcare outcomes for federal inmates compared to traditional methods?

Teleradiology can significantly improve healthcare outcomes for federal inmates by providing faster access to specialist interpretations, especially in facilities lacking on-site radiologists. This can lead to quicker diagnoses and treatment initiation, crucial for conditions requiring timely intervention. It also ensures a consistent standard of care regardless of the inmate's location within the federal system. However, effectiveness hinges on reliable technology, secure data transmission, and the quality of remote interpretations. Compared to traditional methods where delays might occur due to staff shortages or geographic limitations, teleradiology offers a more scalable and potentially more responsive solution, ultimately contributing to better health management.

What has been the historical spending trend for teleradiology and medical image storage services by the Federal Prison System?

The provided data snippet focuses on a single, specific contract award and does not offer historical spending trends for teleradiology and medical image storage services by the Federal Prison System (FPS). To analyze historical spending, one would need to aggregate data from multiple contract awards over several fiscal years. This would involve searching procurement databases for relevant keywords (teleradiology, medical imaging, PACS, image storage) and filtering by the Bureau of Prisons or Department of Justice. Such an analysis could reveal patterns of increasing or decreasing reliance on these services, average contract values, and the prevalence of different contract types and competition levels over time.

What are the implications of the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award type for this contract?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award type suggests that the procurement process was initially intended to be open to all responsible sources. However, specific sources may have been excluded based on pre-defined criteria or justifications, such as prior performance issues, lack of capability, or specific regulatory requirements. This phrasing can sometimes indicate a situation where a previous contract was terminated or a specific vendor was disqualified, leading to a re-competition with exclusions. While it aims for broad competition, the exclusions mean not all potential offerors were considered, which could potentially limit the range of proposals received and impact the final price and innovation.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND SURGICAL SVCS

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: $13,190

Exercised Options: $13,189

Current Obligation: $13,189

Actual Outlays: $7,938

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSN316201200074W

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline