DOJ's $3.2M medical assistant services contract awarded to Absolute Staffers LLC for 2 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $32,112 ($32.1K)

Contractor: Absolute Staffers LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-12-01

End Date: 2026-12-01

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $88/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: PROVISION OF MEDICAL ASSISTANT SERVICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SOW. BASE YEAR PRICING

Place of Performance

Location: ELLICOTT CITY, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 21042

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $32,112 to ABSOLUTE STAFFERS LLC for work described as: PROVISION OF MEDICAL ASSISTANT SERVICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SOW. BASE YEAR PRICING Key points: 1. Contract awarded via BPA Call, indicating a pre-competed framework. 2. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 3. Base year pricing is provided, with potential for future option years. 4. Service location in Maryland, impacting local workforce and healthcare access. 5. Contractor is Absolute Staffers LLC, a provider of temporary help services. 6. Competition was full and open, suggesting a broad market search.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The base year value of $3.21 million for medical assistant services appears to be a standard rate for such contracts. Without specific details on the number of personnel or hours covered, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar contracts for medical support within federal correctional facilities would provide a clearer picture of whether this pricing is competitive. The firm fixed-price structure offers cost certainty, which is a positive aspect for the agency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. This suggests a robust bidding process. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation generally implies multiple interested parties, which can drive competitive pricing. The BPA Call award mechanism suggests that the underlying contract was already competed, and this is a call-off against that.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at the most competitive prices due to a wider pool of potential offerors.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System will benefit from the provision of medical assistant services. Essential medical support services will be delivered to ensure inmate health and well-being. The geographic impact is concentrated in Maryland, where the services will be rendered. The contract supports the healthcare workforce by providing employment opportunities for medical assistants.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
Potential for service quality variations depending on the specific medical assistants assigned.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical service.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type helps control costs.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive award process.
BPA Call award mechanism implies a pre-vetted and potentially cost-effective procurement route.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare services sector within the federal government encompasses a wide range of support functions, including the provision of medical personnel. This contract for medical assistant services falls under the broader category of temporary help services (NAICS 561320). Federal spending in this area is driven by the need to maintain healthcare operations within correctional facilities, military bases, and other government installations. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for medical staffing within the Bureau of Prisons or similar agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary focus is on obtaining the best value from the open market. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether Absolute Staffers LLC utilizes small businesses as subcontractors, which is not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Bureau of Prisons contracting officer's representative (COR) and contracting officer (CO). Performance standards outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW) would be the primary basis for monitoring service delivery. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Medical Services Contracts
Temporary Staffing Services
Bureau of Prisons Healthcare Support
Federal Correctional Facility Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for service quality variability
Reliance on contractor for critical staffing
Security vetting of temporary staff

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $32,112 to ABSOLUTE STAFFERS LLC. PROVISION OF MEDICAL ASSISTANT SERVICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SOW. BASE YEAR PRICING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ABSOLUTE STAFFERS 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 $32,112.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-01. End: 2026-12-01.

What is the track record of Absolute Staffers LLC in providing medical assistant services to federal agencies?

Information regarding the specific track record of Absolute Staffers LLC in providing medical assistant services to federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history with similar agencies, and any reported issues or commendations. Federal procurement databases often contain contractor performance information, which could be consulted for a more thorough analysis. Understanding their experience with correctional healthcare environments, if applicable, would be particularly relevant given the contracting agency.

How does the per-unit cost of this contract compare to similar medical assistant service contracts within the Bureau of Prisons?

A direct per-unit cost comparison is not feasible with the provided data, as it lacks specifics on the number of medical assistants, hours worked, or specific tasks performed. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify comparable contracts within the Bureau of Prisons for medical assistant services, noting the period of performance, geographic location, and scope of work. Analyzing the average hourly rates or cost per full-time equivalent (FTE) across these contracts would reveal if the $3.21 million base year pricing for Absolute Staffers LLC is within the expected range or deviates significantly, potentially indicating overpricing or exceptional value.

What are the primary risks associated with relying on a temporary staffing agency for critical medical assistant services in a correctional setting?

Key risks include potential inconsistencies in the quality of care due to varying staff experience and training, challenges in maintaining consistent staffing levels if the agency struggles with recruitment or retention, and potential security vulnerabilities if background checks and vetting processes are not rigorous. There's also a risk of increased turnover, leading to disruptions in service continuity and requiring ongoing government oversight for onboarding and supervision. Furthermore, reliance on a third party can sometimes lead to communication gaps or delays in addressing performance issues compared to directly employing staff.

What is the expected effectiveness of these medical assistant services in supporting the overall healthcare mission of the Federal Prison System?

The effectiveness of these medical assistant services is expected to be significant in supporting the Federal Prison System's healthcare mission by augmenting the capacity of permanent medical staff. Medical assistants can handle a range of administrative and clinical tasks, freeing up physicians and nurses to focus on more complex patient care. This support is crucial for managing the high volume of inmate healthcare needs, ensuring timely access to basic medical services, and contributing to the overall health and safety within correctional facilities. The success will hinge on the quality of personnel provided and the clarity of the Statement of Work.

What are the historical spending patterns for medical assistant services by the Bureau of Prisons over the last five fiscal years?

Historical spending patterns for medical assistant services by the Bureau of Prisons over the last five fiscal years are not detailed in the provided data. To ascertain this, one would need to access federal procurement databases (like FPDS) and filter for contracts awarded by the Bureau of Prisons under relevant NAICS codes (e.g., 561320 - Temporary Help Services) or PSC codes related to medical personnel. Analyzing this data would reveal trends in contract values, number of awards, and average contract durations, providing context for the current $3.21 million base year award.

Does the firm fixed-price contract type adequately account for potential fluctuations in labor costs or demand for medical assistant services?

A firm fixed-price (FFP) contract is designed to shift the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. For medical assistant services, this means Absolute Staffers LLC is obligated to provide the services at the agreed-upon price, regardless of their internal cost fluctuations (e.g., wage increases, benefit costs). While this offers budget certainty to the government, it could be a risk for the contractor if labor costs rise unexpectedly or if the demand for services is higher than anticipated and not adequately scoped in the base year. The government's risk is primarily related to ensuring the SOW is comprehensive enough to cover necessary services without requiring costly modifications.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › GENERAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 15BFA025Q00000284

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4953 VALLEY VIEW OVERLOOK, ELLICOTT CITY, MD, 21042

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $32,112

Exercised Options: $32,112

Current Obligation: $32,112

Actual Outlays: $2,722

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15BGCS26A00000002

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline