DOJ's $5.7M contract for temporary medical staff in Florida awarded to Health Advocates Network Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,690 ($5.7K)

Contractor: Health Advocates Network Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-12-01

End Date: 2026-04-06

Contract Duration: 126 days

Daily Burn Rate: $45/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: HEALTH ADVOCATES NETWORK MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES: DECEMBER 1-31, 2025

Place of Performance

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

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $5,689.97 to HEALTH ADVOCATES NETWORK INC for work described as: HEALTH ADVOCATES NETWORK MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES: DECEMBER 1-31, 2025 Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 126 days indicates a short-term need for services. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561320 points to temporary help services. 5. The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar framework. 6. The contract is being performed in Florida, indicating a specific geographic need. 7. The contractor, Health Advocates Network Inc., is a single entity, suggesting a focused service provider.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $5.7 million for 126 days of temporary medical staffing is difficult to benchmark without more specific details on the services required and the number of personnel. However, given the firm-fixed-price nature, the government has a defined cost. Comparing this to similar contracts for temporary medical staffing within federal correctional facilities would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The absence of detailed performance metrics makes a comprehensive value assessment challenging.

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 a bid. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific delivery order. While competition is generally positive, the limited number of bidders could imply a niche market or specific requirements that narrowed the field.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to offer competitive pricing, potentially leading to cost savings. A moderate number of bidders suggests that the government likely received a reasonable range of offers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons, which will receive temporary medical professional services. The services delivered are temporary staffing for medical professionals, crucial for maintaining healthcare operations within correctional facilities. The geographic impact is focused on Florida, where the services will be rendered. Workforce implications include the provision of temporary employment opportunities for medical professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for over-reliance on temporary staff impacting continuity of care.
Ensuring the qualifications and vetting of temporary medical professionals is critical.
The short duration may lead to frequent onboarding and offboarding, potentially affecting efficiency.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair process.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Addresses a specific, documented need for temporary medical services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader healthcare services sector, specifically focusing on temporary staffing for medical professionals. The market for healthcare staffing is substantial, driven by the ongoing demand for qualified personnel in various settings, including government facilities. This contract represents a small segment of that market, addressing a specific need within the federal correctional system. Benchmarking would involve comparing per-diem or hourly rates for similar temporary medical roles within federal or state correctional institutions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The competition was open, meaning small businesses could have participated if they met the requirements, but no specific allocation was made.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Justice's Bureau of Prisons contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and payment schedules. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice, which is publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption if vendor faces issues.
Need for robust oversight to ensure quality of care.
Short contract duration may impact continuity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $5,689.97 to HEALTH ADVOCATES NETWORK INC. HEALTH ADVOCATES NETWORK MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES: DECEMBER 1-31, 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 $5,689.97.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-01. End: 2026-04-06.

What is the historical spending pattern of the Department of Justice for temporary medical staffing services, particularly within the Federal Prison System?

Analyzing historical spending for temporary medical staffing within the DOJ's Federal Prison System requires access to detailed procurement data over multiple fiscal years. Generally, federal agencies utilize such contracts to address short-term staffing gaps, surges in demand, or specialized needs. Spending patterns can fluctuate based on budget allocations, facility operational requirements, and the availability of permanent staff. A review of past contracts would reveal trends in contract values, durations, awarded vendors, and the specific medical specialties procured. For instance, if there has been a consistent increase in the use of temporary medical staff, it might indicate underlying challenges in recruitment or retention of permanent personnel, or an expanding scope of healthcare services within the BOP. Conversely, a decrease could suggest successful internal hiring initiatives or a reduction in demand.

How does the awarded price per day or per hour for Health Advocates Network Inc. compare to market rates for similar temporary medical professionals in Florida?

To assess the value for money, the awarded contract value of approximately $5.7 million over 126 days needs to be broken down into a daily or hourly rate and compared against market benchmarks. This requires knowing the number and types of medical professionals contracted. For example, if the contract is for 10 nurses working 12-hour shifts, the daily rate per nurse can be calculated. This rate should then be compared to average daily or hourly wages for registered nurses, physicians, or other specialists in the Florida market, considering factors like experience, certifications, and the specific demands of a correctional environment. Publicly available data from labor statistics bureaus, industry salary surveys, and other government contract awards can serve as benchmarks. If the awarded rates are significantly higher than market averages, it could indicate potential overpayment or a lack of sufficient competition. Conversely, rates below market might raise concerns about the quality or availability of personnel.

What are the specific performance metrics and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract to ensure quality of care?

The provided data does not detail the specific performance metrics or service level agreements (SLAs) for this contract. However, for a contract involving medical professionals, especially within a correctional setting, robust performance standards are crucial. These typically include metrics related to response times for medical emergencies, patient satisfaction (where applicable), adherence to treatment protocols, availability of qualified personnel, and compliance with all relevant healthcare regulations and facility policies. SLAs might define the required qualifications for staff, reporting requirements, and consequences for failing to meet standards, such as financial penalties or contract termination. The effectiveness of oversight by the Bureau of Prisons would be key in monitoring adherence to these metrics and ensuring the quality and appropriateness of the medical services provided by Health Advocates Network Inc.

What is the track record of Health Advocates Network Inc. in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly those for medical staffing?

Assessing the track record of Health Advocates Network Inc. requires reviewing their past performance on federal contracts. This involves searching databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or the General Services Administration's (GSA) contract award information. Key aspects to examine include the types of contracts they have previously held, their duration and value, the agencies they have served, and any reported performance evaluations or past performance reviews. Specifically, their experience with providing medical staffing services to correctional facilities or similar high-security environments would be highly relevant. A history of successful contract completion, positive performance feedback, and timely delivery of services would indicate reliability. Conversely, any instances of contract disputes, performance failures, or negative past performance assessments would raise concerns about their capacity to meet the requirements of this current DOJ contract.

What is the potential risk associated with relying on a single vendor for temporary medical staffing in a critical environment like a federal prison?

Relying on a single vendor, even if awarded through competition, carries inherent risks, particularly in a critical environment like a federal prison. One primary risk is vendor dependency; if Health Advocates Network Inc. experiences operational issues, financial instability, or decides to withdraw from the contract, it could lead to immediate and severe disruptions in healthcare services for inmates. This could compromise inmate health and safety, potentially leading to legal challenges for the government. Another risk is complacency; a lack of ongoing competition might reduce the vendor's incentive to innovate or maintain the highest service levels over time. Furthermore, if the vendor's performance declines, the process of transitioning to a new vendor can be lengthy and costly, exacerbating the impact of any service failures.

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: $5,690

Exercised Options: $5,690

Current Obligation: $5,690

Actual Outlays: $5,690

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36F79718D0484

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline