DOJ awards $500K purchase order for emergency medical services to West Virginia University Medical Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $50,000 ($50.0K)

Contractor: West Virginia University Medical Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 29 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: OUTSIDE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FY26 UHA APRIL

Place of Performance

Location: MORGANTOWN, MONONGALIA County, WEST VIRGINIA, 26508

State: West Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $50,000 to WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CORPORATION for work described as: OUTSIDE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FY26 UHA APRIL Key points: 1. The contract value represents a significant investment in critical medical support for federal correctional facilities. 2. Limited competition suggests potential for higher costs and reduced innovation. 3. The short duration of the contract may indicate a need for immediate services or a pilot program. 4. Performance will be crucial given the sensitive nature of providing medical care within a correctional setting. 5. This award falls within the broader healthcare sector, specifically supporting institutional medical needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $500,000 for a one-month period for emergency medical services appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized institutional support. However, without specific details on the scope of services, patient volume, or required staffing levels, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar contracts for correctional facility medical services would provide a clearer picture of cost-effectiveness. The firm-fixed-price structure offers cost certainty but may not incentivize efficiency if the scope is not tightly defined.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a sole-source purchase order, indicating that the Department of Justice did not conduct a competitive bidding process. This approach is typically used when only one vendor can provide the required services, often due to unique capabilities, existing relationships, or urgent needs. The lack of competition means that taxpayers did not benefit from potential price reductions or service enhancements that could arise from a bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit the government's ability to secure the best possible pricing and may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitively bid contract.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System in West Virginia will benefit from immediate and potentially life-saving emergency medical care. The services delivered will include emergency medical response and stabilization within correctional facilities. The geographic impact is limited to West Virginia, specifically serving Bureau of Prisons facilities in the state. This contract supports the healthcare workforce by engaging medical professionals from West Virginia University Medical Corporation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and reduced service quality.
The sole-source nature limits transparency and accountability in the procurement process.
The short contract duration might indicate a reactive approach rather than proactive planning for medical services.

Positive Signals

Ensures critical emergency medical services are available to a vulnerable population within federal facilities.
Leverages an established medical institution (West Virginia University Medical Corporation) for specialized care.
The firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the awarded amount.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Healthcare sector, specifically focusing on institutional healthcare services. The market for providing medical services to correctional facilities is specialized, often involving unique security and logistical considerations. While the overall healthcare market is vast, contracts for federal prisons are a niche segment. Benchmarking would ideally compare this award to other contracts for similar services within federal or state correctional systems, considering factors like patient population size and acuity.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded to a small business, nor does it appear to include specific small business set-aside provisions. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. Therefore, this award is unlikely to have a direct positive impact on the small business ecosystem in this specific instance.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely fall under the purview of the Federal Prison System's contracting officers and potentially the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General. Accountability measures will be tied to the performance standards outlined in the purchase order and the firm-fixed-price agreement. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, but contract award data is publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Medical Services
Bureau of Prisons Healthcare Contracts
Emergency Medical Services Contracts
Institutional Healthcare Providers

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for cost overruns if scope is ill-defined
Limited transparency in procurement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $50,000 to WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CORPORATION. OUTSIDE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FY26 UHA APRIL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CORPORATION.

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 $50,000.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the specific scope of services covered by this $500,000 purchase order?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'OUTSIDE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FY26 UHA APRIL' awarded to West Virginia University Medical Corporation. However, the precise details of the scope of services are not elaborated. This would typically include on-call emergency medical response, potential on-site medical personnel, transportation to external facilities if necessary, and coordination with existing prison medical staff. The 'UHA' designation might refer to a specific type of service or unit, but without further context, it's difficult to define precisely. A comprehensive understanding would require reviewing the full contract statement of work.

How does the cost of $500,000 for one month of emergency medical services compare to similar contracts for federal correctional facilities?

Benchmarking this $500,000 one-month contract is challenging without more specific data on the services rendered and the patient population size of the facility it serves. However, providing comprehensive emergency medical services, including potential staffing, equipment, and response capabilities for a federal prison, can be a substantial cost. If this covers 24/7 on-call services for a medium-to-large facility, the cost might be considered fair. Conversely, if it's for a smaller facility or limited scope, it could be high. A detailed comparison would require access to data on similar contracts awarded by the Bureau of Prisons or other federal agencies to correctional institutions.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for emergency medical services in a correctional setting?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for emergency medical services in a correctional setting include potential overpricing due to the lack of competition, reduced incentive for the contractor to innovate or improve service quality, and a lack of transparency in the procurement process. Taxpayers may end up paying more than necessary. Furthermore, if the sole provider faces unforeseen challenges (e.g., staffing shortages, equipment failures), there may be limited immediate alternatives, potentially disrupting critical care delivery. Ensuring robust performance monitoring and clear contractual terms becomes even more crucial in sole-source situations.

What is the track record of West Virginia University Medical Corporation in providing services to federal agencies, particularly correctional facilities?

The provided data identifies West Virginia University Medical Corporation as the contractor. To assess their track record, one would need to investigate their past performance with federal agencies, specifically the Department of Justice or the Bureau of Prisons. This would involve searching federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for previous contracts awarded to this entity, examining performance evaluations, and looking for any reported issues or successes. Without this external data, it's impossible to comment on their specific track record for this type of service.

What are the implications of the 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation for this contract?

The designation 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' indicates that this contract was not procured using the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). SAP is generally used for purchases below the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000). Since this contract is valued at $500,000, it falls above the SAP threshold. This means the procurement likely followed more formal, potentially more stringent, contracting regulations, even though it was ultimately awarded on a sole-source basis. It suggests that the agency determined competition was not practicable or available, rather than simply bypassing standard procedures for smaller purchases.

How does the firm-fixed-price contract type influence the risk and cost for this emergency medical services contract?

A firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type establishes a ceiling price that the contractor will not exceed, and the government will not pay more than this amount, regardless of the contractor's actual costs. For the government, this provides cost certainty and shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. For this emergency medical services contract, an FFP means the Department of Justice knows the maximum expenditure. However, if the scope of services is not precisely defined, the contractor might be incentivized to minimize their costs, potentially impacting the quality or extent of care provided, or conversely, if the price is set too high relative to the actual need, the government may overpay. The effectiveness of FFP relies heavily on a well-defined scope of work.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › General Medical and Surgical Hospitals › General Medical and Surgical Hospitals

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › OTHER MEDICAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 255 SCOTT AVE, MORGANTOWN, WV, 26508

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $50,000

Exercised Options: $50,000

Current Obligation: $50,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline