DOJ's $11,777 contract for temporary medical help services awarded to Health Advocates Network Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,778 ($11.8K)

Contractor: Health Advocates Network Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2025-11-30

Contract Duration: 60 days

Daily Burn Rate: $196/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HEALTH ADVOCATES NETWORK MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES: OCTOBER 1, 2025 - NOVEMBER 30, 2025

Place of Performance

Location: BOCA RATON, PALM BEACH County, FLORIDA, 33431

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $11,777.84 to HEALTH ADVOCATES NETWORK INC for work described as: HEALTH ADVOCATES NETWORK MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES: OCTOBER 1, 2025 - NOVEMBER 30, 2025 Key points: 1. Contract awarded for a short duration of 60 days, suggesting a specific, immediate need. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified vendors. 3. The fixed-price contract type helps to control costs and provides predictability for the government. 4. The small value of the contract may indicate a pilot program or a very localized need. 5. The vendor, Health Advocates Network Inc., is a new entity in federal contracting based on available data. 6. The contract falls under temporary help services, a common category for meeting short-term staffing needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $11,777.84 for a 60-day period is relatively small. Benchmarking against similar temporary medical staffing contracts is difficult without more specific service details and duration. However, the fixed-price nature suggests an attempt to manage costs effectively for this short-term requirement. The price appears reasonable for a limited scope of services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit an offer. The data indicates there were 3 bidders, suggesting a moderate level of competition for this specific requirement. This level of competition is generally positive for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices and encouraging vendors to offer their best value.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely inmates within the Federal Prison System, who will receive necessary medical professional services. The services delivered are temporary medical professional support, crucial for maintaining healthcare operations within correctional facilities. The contract has a geographic impact limited to Florida, where the services will be rendered. Workforce implications include the temporary employment of medical professionals sourced through Health Advocates Network Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited track record for the awarded vendor in federal contracting.
Short contract duration may indicate a reactive need rather than planned resource allocation.
Potential for increased costs if the temporary need extends beyond the initial contract period.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, maximizing potential vendor pool.
Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
Addresses a specific, short-term need within the Federal Prison System.

Sector Analysis

The temporary help services sector is a significant part of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. Federal agencies frequently utilize these services to fill short-term staffing gaps, manage fluctuating workloads, or access specialized skills without the long-term commitment of permanent hires. The market is competitive, with numerous providers ranging from large staffing firms to smaller, specialized agencies. This contract fits within the government's strategy to maintain operational flexibility.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does the data indicate any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The vendor, Health Advocates Network Inc., is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. Therefore, this specific award does not appear to directly benefit the small business ecosystem through set-asides or mandated subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Justice's Bureau of Prisons contracting officers and program managers. Standard contract administration procedures, including performance monitoring and invoice review, would be in place. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Medical Services
Temporary Staffing Services
Department of Justice Healthcare Contracts
Bureau of Prisons Support Services

Risk Flags

Vendor_Limited_Federal_Track_Record
Short_Contract_Duration_Potential_Continuity_Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $11,777.84 to HEALTH ADVOCATES NETWORK INC. HEALTH ADVOCATES NETWORK MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES: OCTOBER 1, 2025 - NOVEMBER 30, 2025

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HEALTH ADVOCATES NETWORK 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 $11,777.84.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2025-11-30.

What is the specific nature of the medical professional services required under this contract?

The contract falls under the NAICS code 561320 for Temporary Help Services. While the specific 'medical professional services' are not detailed in the provided data, this category typically includes providing temporary staff such as nurses, medical technicians, administrative support staff, or other healthcare professionals to fill short-term needs. Given the agency (Department of Justice, Federal Prison System), these services are likely intended to support healthcare delivery within correctional facilities, potentially covering staff shortages, specialized clinics, or temporary surges in patient care needs during the contract period.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar temporary medical staffing in Florida?

Directly comparing the awarded price of $11,777.84 for a 60-day period is challenging without knowing the exact number of professionals, their roles (e.g., RN, LPN, physician), and the specific hours or shifts covered. However, the contract value is relatively low, suggesting a limited scope, perhaps a few professionals for a specific number of hours or a very short duration. Market rates for temporary medical staffing can vary significantly. For instance, a single registered nurse's hourly rate in Florida can range from $40-$70+, depending on specialty and location. If this contract covers, for example, one RN for 40 hours a week for 8 weeks, the total cost would be around $12,800-$22,400, making the awarded price appear competitive or indicative of a smaller service volume.

What is the track record of Health Advocates Network Inc. with federal contracts?

Based on the provided data, Health Advocates Network Inc. appears to be a relatively new entrant or has a limited history of federal contracting. The 'br' (bidders) value of 196 might refer to a broader metric or a different context, but the core contract data does not suggest extensive prior awards. Further investigation in federal procurement databases would be necessary to confirm their full federal contracting history, including past performance, types of services rendered, and contract values. A limited track record can sometimes be associated with higher performance risk, although this is not always the case.

What are the potential risks associated with a short-duration contract like this?

Short-duration contracts, like this 60-day award, carry several potential risks. Firstly, there's a risk of 'contract hopping' or a lack of continuity if the need is ongoing and requires repeated short-term awards rather than a more stable, longer-term solution. This can lead to inefficiencies in onboarding and knowledge transfer. Secondly, if the need arises unexpectedly, it might indicate poor planning or unforeseen circumstances, potentially impacting program delivery. Lastly, for the vendor, a short duration might limit profitability and make it harder to justify significant resource investment. For the government, it could mean a higher per-diem cost compared to longer-term contracts due to the vendor needing to recoup setup costs quickly.

How does this contract align with the Bureau of Prisons' overall strategy for healthcare staffing?

This contract appears to align with the Bureau of Prisons' (BOP) strategy of utilizing temporary staffing services to manage fluctuating healthcare needs within its facilities. The BOP, like many large organizations, faces challenges in maintaining adequate staffing levels due to various factors, including recruitment difficulties, specialized skill shortages, and unexpected absences. Using temporary help services allows the BOP to quickly fill critical gaps, ensuring continuity of care for inmates without the long-term commitment and overhead associated with permanent hires. This specific contract, being short-term and localized, likely addresses an immediate, specific staffing shortage or a temporary increase in demand in a particular Florida facility.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › SPECIALIZED TECHNICAL/ MEDICAL SUPPORT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1875 NW CORPORATE BLVD, BOCA RATON, FL, 33431

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,778

Exercised Options: $11,778

Current Obligation: $11,778

Actual Outlays: $11,793

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36F79718D0484

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline